SHOPPERS at Westfield's revamped West Lakes shopping mall have begun paying for parking for the first time following a $95 million upgrade to the precinct.

The controversial new charge was met with mixed reactions from shoppers.

The upgrade was unveiled on Thursday and brought 40 new retailers to the revamped precinct.

Attendants were patrolling boom gates that control entry to the complex.

There is no fee for the first three hours of parking.

However, motorists are hit with a $2 charge for the next half an hour, which increases by $1 per half-hour. It means someone parking for five hours is hit with a $5 charge.

Some shoppers labelled the decision to begin charging for parking "disgusting'' and "ridiculous'', while others said it would change the way the use the major western suburbs centre.

Shopping centre manager Cathy Main defended the fees as a way to cope with extra demand created by the upgrade and to ensure customers get a "convenient and easy carpark''.

TELL US: Will paid parking change your shopping habits?

It would also stop non-shoppers using the parks for long periods, she said.

Kathryn Liebezeit of Albert Park wasn't concerned about the decision to charge, but said the centre was noticeably quieter.

"Really I think people would have bigger things to worry about - but they are funny and don't like change," she said.

Kathy Brand said the decision to charge would change her shopping habits.

"Sometimes we spend up to six hours at a time here," she said. "That's my concern - especially with teenagers - they love to shop.

"We'll just make sure we leave within three hours and that can't be good for the shops.''

Another shopper, Dee, said she feared the centre would gradually reduce the free time.

"In a year I think they will cut it down to two hours and in five or six years it will be just like town,'' she said. "It's ridiculous because now AAMI (stadium) is closed they need more reasons, not less, to come here.''

This afternoon, some shoppers were taking advantage of the free parking across the road available on the forecourt in front of AAMI stadium.

Shopper Wendy Pridham said the centre should allow people to park all day.

``I don't known what they're all going on about to be honest,'' Ms Pridham said.

"I've been here twice today already and it won't change my habits," she said.

``This place is busy at Christmas time and around the long weekends but other than that they should allow people to park here and catch a bus into town to work.

``It's just empty most of the time otherwise.''

The maximum charge is $22 for over seven hours and lost tickets incur the same charge.