The move is expected to anger shoppers who have turned their backs on inner-city retail precincts such as Hunter Street Mall because of parking meter costs.

But Westfield's main rival, Charlestown Square, has a paid parking scheme, which is likely to ease the blow of potential fees at Kotara.

The retail giant is preparing to spend $1.5 million to install boom gates, ticket dispensers, signs and automatic pay stations, which would allow it to police the 3080 parking spaces at the centre.

A development application submitted to Newcastle City Council seeks permission to build boom gates at several car park entry points.

Shoppers would receive three hours' free parking, with charges applying thereafter.

A rooftop area would be set aside with up to 250 parking spaces for Westfield staff.

The application said the proposed user-pays system aimed to encourage turnover of spaces, discourage all-day parking and enhance security.

Westfield Kotara centre manager Scott Moore said yesterday it was too early to say what the costs would be, but he expected that most shoppers would take advantage of the three-hour free period.

Westfield said research at its other centres across Australia showed that more than 90 per cent of shoppers spent less than three hours in centres, with most leaving in less than one hour and 20 minutes.

Its aim was to help shoppers find car spaces more easily, reduce congestion and improve the availability of prime parking spaces.

"Our past experience has shown the introduction of controlled parking provides a better turnover of available spaces for genuine shoppers," Mr Moore said.

If approved, the new parking system is expected to be introduced in 2010.