Auckland City confirms commitment to disabled access at Matiatia wharf

Auckland City Council has reinforced the benefits of the Matiatia passengers ferry terminal upgrade by including greatly improved disability parking and related services.

Since the start of the work on Waiheke Island in June, alternative mobility parking spaces have been provided near the old wharf. This temporary situation has not been ideal and Council has proposed the following enhanced solutions as soon as the terminal is completed: disabled permit holders will be able to ring to make all necessary arrangements before coming to the terminal. They can book a wheel chair and a special escort to help if required in addition, permit holders are able to ring if they require access to the wharf at the keyhole end of the wharf, three new parking spaces can be used by those with a severe disability.

Longer term: disabled parking will be moved to the current rental cars’ location. Spaces will be wider and more practical for those with wheelchairs. It will provide an extra drop off point with slightly extended times for greater convenience.

“We’ve improved both the disabled car parks and drop off zones,” says Councillor Greg McKeown, Transport Committee chairperson. “Council staff met with Coalition for Disability Services to discuss possible alternatives as it is important to ensure that good access is given to all. We believe that the parking options, automatic sliding doors and escort services provided are a huge improvement on the past.”

These improvements are in concert with Auckland City’s endorsement last July 2003 of the Disability Framework for Action, which sets out its proposals to become more disability aware across all its operations. The framework aims to make the city more accessible to the 56,000 Aucklanders who have a disability.

Work on the upgraded terminal should be finished by the end of this year.

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