The introduction of paid parking at the McKellar aged care centre in Geelong has local residents up in arms.

It was a ‘poorly thought out’ decision according to councillor Eddie Kontelj who says employees at the centre are spilling out into the streets as they scramble for free parking.

"It's creating safety hazards even within those small streets and impeding emergency services access, which is really concerning,” said Cr Kontelj.

Concerned locals have also complained to council about the congestion.

"That first day when they put (paid parking at the McKellar aged care centre) we walked out the front and thought, 'Hang on, is this our street or did I just wake up in Bourke St in Melbourne'," said local resident Mick Djulic.

Barwon Health runs McKellar and has put paid parking at all its facilities. The revenue is used to help fund the maintenance and ongoing safety of its properties, like the recent upgrade that provided an additional 160 car parking spaces and included the installation of lighting, improved signage, guttering and paving.

A spokeswoman said they were working with the council to find a solution.

"We are providing input to assist in the City of Greater Geelong and VicRoads, identifying a solution to people parking in the streets surrounding the site," she said.