Ballarat City Council has been implementing a parking strategy across the central business district, including around the city’s hospitals and Webster Street area, since earlier this year.

However residents in other nearby streets have approached council because the new restrictions have shifted parking into their previously quiet streets as motorists look for free, all-day parking options.

Many of the homes are in heritage overlays and have limited or no parking on their properties.

Victoria Avenue resident Penny Johnstone was one of several people who asked council to consider extending time restrictions to more streets.

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Ms Johnstone said hospital staff and other commuters now clogged Victoria Avenue from 7am to 5pm.

“We acknowledge it is hard to get into the hospital to see someone, or to go to an appointment, because you can’t expect to get in and out within an hour,” she said.

“But when my neighbour was told by someone, he works at the hospital, and that it is great he doesn’t have to pay for parking.

“Considering council it is a multi-million dollar business and the amount of planning for parking in Webster Street, you imagine it would have occurred to someone at some point to ask, where will the traffic go?”

Council was set to vote on approving changes to its parking plan for Webster Street at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday night.

However councillors voted to defer a decision until the next meeting, so the views of residents who spoke could be taken into account by staff.

The staff recommendation put to council proposed reinstating some all-day parking along Webster Street.

Cr Amy Johnson said the changes could be held off until the first meeting after the Christmas break.

“Considering the number of personal contacts I have received, I do think there is more work that needs to be done,” she said.

Council was split 4-4 on deferring the motion, with Ballarat City mayor Samantha McIntosh using her deciding vote to hold off on a decision until the next ordinary meeting.

“Given some time, when it is quieter during the Christmas period, it will give the officers the chance to review options,” Cr McIntosh said.