A ute towing a jet ski has sparked outrage after it was found to be occupying four accessible parking spaces outside a Bunnings store on the Gold Coast.
Kyle Willmington, a Gold Coast businessman and disability activist who lives with a rare nerve disease, called the vehicle's position "out of this f***ing world." He told Yahoo News that he alerted Bunnings staff after spotting the Nissan 4WD at the Southport location, but initially felt disregarded.
"I said to the greeter, 'Hey, mate, there's a guy out there with a jet ski parked across all the disability spaces,'" Willmington recounted. "He said, 'Oh, what do you want me to do about it?' My heart dropped, and I just got filled with adrenaline."
Willmington stated that the incident underscored a lack of understanding regarding non-visible disabilities and the importance of accessible parking.
He then proceeded to film the vehicle and moved his own car closer to the store entrance. Willmington reported that a Bunnings staff member then instructed him to move his car to a regular space, a directive he questioned given the earlier inaction on the vehicle blocking the accessible spots.
Following a store announcement over the PA system, the vehicle was moved within minutes. A Bunnings spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail that the store acted immediately once the manager was alerted. "An announcement was made over the PA and the vehicle was moved within 10 minutes," the spokesperson said.
The hardware giant later contacted Willmington to apologize for the incident. Bunnings stated that while the incident was "not directly their fault," the staff member involved now has a better understanding of how to respond in similar situations. "We take accessibility seriously and expect everyone to respect accessible parking spaces. When we're made aware of misuse, we will take action to ensure these spaces remain available for people with disability or mobility restrictions," the company added.
The video also prompted some online commentary questioning Willmington's disability due to his ability to walk. Willmington, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a condition affecting peripheral nerves that can lead to muscle weakness and mobility issues, used the reaction to highlight the misconceptions surrounding disabilities.
"I have a rare nerve disease. I wear leg braces, which you can see in the video. My hands barely work," he explained. "Some days I'm very fatigued, and I can barely stand. So parking close to things just to get those tasks done is really important."
Willmington noted that he is frequently questioned or stared at when using accessible spaces, with some only realizing his disability after he exits his vehicle. He emphasized that the international symbol of a wheelchair does not encompass the full spectrum of disabilities, urging greater understanding.
He hopes that by sharing his experience, both businesses and shoppers will gain a better understanding of the importance of respecting and correctly utilizing accessible parking spaces.