"Business owners have reported increases in almost every sector which is supported by the retail statistic quarterly reports. While it is not the only factor giving our CBD a boost it has definitely made a difference."
The increased activity, however, meant there was an increased need for more parking options, especially long-term parking for workers in town, Ms McDade said.
"As part of building a city for the future we need to address these stress points now before they handbrake our momentum."
The free parking trial was initially instigated in November last year for four months, and was then extended to June and then for another six months to the end of December this year.
During the annual plan consultation, it didn't get a total thumbs up - 80 per cent of people who submitted about it wanted to return to the user-pays system.
Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said a paper on the matter would be considered by the council on December 15, when the options would be looked at including whether to extend the trial further to June next year or make it permanent.
"It's quite a vexed issue to deal with - shoppers and retailers love it but a number of submissions said meters should remain - it's a challenging decision."
In order to make up for the lost revenue from parking fees, if it were made permanent a special rate similar to what Havelock residents pay could be levied, equating to about $25 per ratepayer and $75 per business in the CBD per year.
Mr Yule said that when a final decision was made, the issue of how to fund it would need to be looked at.
