“I have received a number of reports recently from concerned local Kiama residents about unauthorised vehicles using disabled car parking spaces for their own convenience,” Mr Ward said.

Only those motorists who have a permit, which is displayed in the front window of the car, are legally allowed to park in disabled spaces.

Since 2014, able-bodied motorists caught parking in these spaces are hit with a demerit point and a $519 fine – the highest fine in the country for this offence.

“My office has contacted Superintendent Zoran Dzevlan, Lake Illawarra Local Area Commander, and Kiama Municipal Council staff today to request an increase of monitoring activity in Kiama for offences of this nature,” Mr Ward said.

The public can report abuse of the New South Wales Mobility Parking Scheme by phoning 1300 884 899