The development application comes as the centre's rival, Charlestown Square, finishes building a bowling alley as part of a redevelopment due for completion late this year.

Westfield Kotara's 10 tenpin lanes would form part of a new $12.5 million entertainment precinct.

It would connect to an eight-screen cinema complex, which has development approval and is expected to open in late 2012.

An application to Newcastle City Council said the bowling alley would be in an area with other entertainment such as interactive games, lounge bar, food outlets and specialty stores.

Car spaces would be built, taking the centre's total to 3140.

A Westfield-commissioned traffic study said the parking provisions were appropriate and the road network would be able to cater for the traffic the bowling alley generated.

The latest expansion would ensure Westfield Kotara kept up with shopping centre standards, the application said.

The GPT Group's Charlestown Square extension will have an eight-screen cinema, a tenpin bowling alley, karaoke room and laser tag centre, as well as 110 new shops.

The Newcastle Herald asked Westfield spokeswoman Julia Clarke if the Kotara plans were about keeping up with the competition.

"We try to have the very best offer that's going to be the most attractive to the trading area," Ms Clarke said.

Westfield Kotara opened 80 new shops in 2007 and is expanding its David Jones outlet.