20 May 2026
Priority Parking Trial welcomed by seniors
Senior residents are embracing new priority parking bays at City of Stirling Leisure Centres and Libraries, as part of a trial aimed at supporting access, usability and inclusion.
- Open date
15 May 2026
- Closing date
09 August 2026
Last update date: 12 August 2026
Finding a parking spot can be challenging whether you’re heading to the shops, an appointment or a community facility. Through community feedback, senior residents told us that accessing convenient parking can be difficult, particularly during busy periods and when trying to find a free bay close to an entrance.
You asked us to explore seniors parking, and we listened.
From 18 May to 9 August 2026, the City of Stirling trialled priority parking for seniors at selected libraries and leisure centres. The trial aimed to support access, usability and inclusion by providing a small number of dedicated parking bays near facility entrances.
The 12‑week trial included a community survey and gave the City an opportunity to test a new approach, learn from lived experience and better understand how dedicated seniors parking may support our community.
An engagement outcomes report is now being prepared to capture what was heard during the trial and identify key themes and insights. The report will help inform future considerations.
While the trial has concluded, the bays will remain signposted and marked for the time being, and seniors are encouraged to use them if they are available.
How do I know if it's a seniors parking bay?
- During the trial, residents who self-identified as seniors were encouraged to look for the bays marked with this sign ‘Priority Parking For Seniors’ located near Stirling Libraries and Stirling Leisure centre entrances
- There was no enforcement, just respectful use and shared community understanding
- While the trial has concluded, the bays will remain signposted and marked for the time being, and seniors are encouraged to use them if they are available.
FAQs
The trial responded to feedback showing lower satisfaction among senior residents with the City’s parking supply and management, alongside an increase in the importance of parking as a priority issue.
It gave the City an opportunity to test a practical, temporary response that focused on improving access, usability and inclusion at community facilities.
Insights shared during the trial will help us better understand community experience and provide a useful reference for any future discussions or considerations.
The trial ran for 12 weeks, from 18 May to 9 August 2026. A small number of dedicated seniors parking bays (two per site) were allocated at the following locations:
Stirling Libraries:
- Inglewood
- Mirrabooka
- Osborne
- Scarborough
- Karrinyup.
Stirling Leisure centres:
- Inglewood
- Balga
- Hamersley
- Mirrabooka
- Scarborough.
The seniors parking bays were intended to support senior residents who may find accessing parking more challenging, particularly during busy periods and when trying to find free bays close to entrances. This may include a range of experiences such as difficulty walking longer distances, fatigue, confidence or concentration demands, or environmental comfort considerations like heat or exposure.
The trial did not define a specific age for who is considered a senior. People experience ageing differently, and use of the bays was based on self‑identification and provided as a courtesy rather than through enforcement. The bays were intended for seniors, and we asked the wider community to respect their purpose and leave them available for senior residents.
While the trial has concluded, the bays will remain signposted and marked for the time being, and seniors are encouraged to use them if they are available.
Seniors parking bays are different from ACROD bays, which are legally regulated and reserved for permit holders only. Seniors parking bays do not replace ACROD parking, however, they may be helpful for seniors who do not meet the criteria for ACROD parking but would still benefit from parking closer to an entrance.
Senior residents were encouraged to make use of the dedicated bays during the trial and share their experience by completing a short survey. We also welcomed feedback from non-seniors to help provide a broader perspective.
An engagement outcomes report is now being prepared to capture what was heard during the trial and identify key themes and insights. The report will help inform future considerations.
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