Warrnambool City Council is pursuing two key off-street car parking expansions in the central business district.

It is also working with VicTrack to develop a railway precinct car park with 180 car parking spaces. 

A report presented at Monday night’s council revealed the city was on the verge of securing land for 20 car parks at the rear of 207-211 Koroit Street. It will be used for more all-day car parking spaces in the highly utilised off-street Fairy Street car park.

The plan includes agreement to provide pedestrian access through to Koroit Street.

Negotiations are also underway for a land swap at the end of Grace Avenue to extend an off-street parking lot. The council will be asked to endorse the land swap at an upcoming meeting.

The swap will only provide a marginal increase in car parking capacity when constructed, however the report said it was a key step to opening up other land parcels.

Councillor Mike Neoh said it was important to note the previous council had put in the car parking levy for funding, and when suitable parcels of land become available they could be purchased. 

“That fund is very beneficial,” Cr Neoh said. He said the Fairy Street parking plan would improve connectivity to mid-blocks. The 2017 Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey found council’s performance in parking facilities was the second most important area for improvement.