The Victor Harbor Community Action Group (VHCAG) will hold a community forum on car parking in the town on Friday 31 January.

The forum will specifically discuss a City of Victor Harbor proposal to build a multi-storey car park in McKinlay Street and possibly remove all free parking zones from the CBD. Council CEO Victoria MacKirdy will attend the forum as guest speaker to clarify the proposal.

VHCAG committee member Jean McGough says it provides an opportunity for the community to make an informed decision when the concept proposal is made available for consultation. 

“(It) has the potential to change the face of Victor Harbor in the future and will affect all its residents.”

The McKinlay Street Car Parking precinct encompasses the whole of Council’s land holding in McKinlay Street, a one-way street parallel to Ocean Street and the railway line, from number 8 through to number 26.

Ms MacKirdy says council’s recent land acquisitions in the precinct, along with the recent approval of the Anchorage development have brought on the decision to expand car parking in the area.

"Council is now on the cusp of preparing concept plans for the precinct that, as part of the broader site footprint, will also take into consideration opportunities for contribution to the parking infrastructure presented by the Anchorage development.

"Other opportunities for private development contribution into potential design and construction will also be explored. In preparation for this phase of project planning, Council will be seeking feedback from the community on the scope of the project and value add opportunities for the precinct.

"Council is excited by the Anchorage development and what it will bring to the City of Victor Harbor. However, it needs to look at this Precinct in its entirety to achieve the best outcome for the future."

Ms McGough says the idea to build a much larger car park had been discussed by council in confidence for many months.

“The expanded multi-level carpark … would encompass the entire area from 8-26 McKinlay Street, everything between the old stone ex-bank building on the corner of McKinlay/Coral Street to the old stone building on the corner of McKinlay/Eyre Terrace. 

“Should this proposal proceed, there is a definite possibility that all surrounding streets in Victor CBD area would be paid parking, including the multi-deck carpark.” 

The forum will be held at the Christian Gospel Centre at 2 George Main Road, Victor Harbor, starting at 7pm.