I AM writing to express my deep concern about the Bass Coast Council’s current parking time restrictions in the town centre, which are having a devastating impact on our elderly community members.

While I appreciate that parking is provided free of charge, the restrictive one-hour time limit is not merely an inconvenience – it is actively contributing to the increasing loneliness and despair experienced by our most vulnerable citizens.

For elderly residents with reduced mobility, the current one-hour time restriction is woefully inadequate. These community members, who have contributed so much to our town over the years, now find themselves unable to engage in the simple pleasure of socialising with friends and neighbours. What should be a leisurely coffee catch-up or a gentle browse through local shops has become a source of constant anxiety and stress.

The reality is stark: elderly people with walking difficulties cannot rush. They need time to carefully navigate from their vehicles to their destinations, time to rest when needed, and time to engage meaningfully with their community. The current parking restrictions force them to constantly watch the clock, cutting short conversations and social interactions that are vital for their mental health and wellbeing.

This policy is particularly cruel given that social isolation among the elderly is already a significant public health concern. Research consistently shows that loneliness and social isolation can have serious consequences for older adults’ physical and mental health, including increased risk of depression, cognitive decline, and even premature death. By maintaining these restrictive parking times, the Bass Coast Council is inadvertently exacerbating this crisis.

I urge the Council to reconsider these parking time restrictions with compassion and understanding for our elderly residents. Practical solutions that would make a meaningful difference include:

• Extending the current one-hour parking limit to at least 90 minutes to two hours in the town centre

• Implementing a warning system for those who exceed the time limit, rather than immediate fines

• Designated longer-term parking spaces specifically for elderly or mobility-impaired residents

• A permit system that allows elderly residents additional parking time when needed

Our elderly citizens deserve to feel welcome and valued in their own community. They should not have to choose between meaningful social connection and the anxiety of watching the clock, nor should they face immediate penalties for needing a little extra time in the very town centre they helped build and sustain.

The Bass Coast Council has a responsibility to serve all residents, including those who may need a little extra time and consideration. I call upon the Council to demonstrate true community leadership by reviewing and revising these parking policies to better serve our elderly population.

Our seniors have given so much to this community over the years. Surely we can give them the gift of time – time to connect, time to belong, and time to continue being valued members of our community.

David Ehrlich, Bass Coast