The track covers about five kilometres from Lake Road through Lake Innes Nature Reserve to the western side of Crestwood residential estate.

The popular walking and cycling track attracts strong support from Port Macquarie residents and visitors.

National Parks and Wildlife Service says expanding the walking trail as far as Lake Cathie was still an option.

"There are different stages identified in the proposed track including a link from the existing track to Lake Cathie and also north through the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park (Port Macquarie-Hastings Council land)," a NPWS spokesperson said.

"A lot of this work was not ground validated and the route of the next stage, south of Crestwood Estate through to Elkhorn estate (Stage 3), has not been resolved as yet as it has a challenging landscape of wetlands and urban interface.

"Only stage 1 and 2 have been completed to date and NPWS has enjoyed working with council in building this track."

The spokesperson said the Googik Track Working group, comprising members representing council, NPWS, Aboriginal Land Council, Charles Sturt University and a facilitator had not met for some time.

However, at a separate meeting between NPWS and council, the need to reconvene the working group was raised to further advance the project.

Currently the majority of the Googik Track lies within the Lake Innes Nature Reserve and therefore NPWS bears the maintenance cost.

Currently maintenance costs are borne by whichever landowners the track lies upon.

Maintenance costs are a combination of the dual uses of the track which are walking track and management trail for fire and pest operations, the spokesperson said.

NPWS maintenance involves grass slashing, spot spraying of weeds, top ups of gravel on the track surface, tree risk assessments, bridge maintenance and repairs due to vandalism.

Rotary has also installed some seating along the track.

NPWS plans to deploy counters to get more accurate user data figures on usage, with information not likely to be available for a number of months.

However, it is acknowledged that the track is popular.

"Observations indicate that the track is very popular with walkers and push bike riders," the spokesperson said.

"The track has provided connections to different areas of Port Macquarie from Lake Innes, the industrial area and Crestwood Estate.

"Additionally, many push bike riders use the track for through access as they can stay away from the busy Lake Road.

"But the greatest proportion of users are people doing short walks or rides whilst enjoying the natural environment. Every time I go on the track there are people using it," the spokesperson said.

"We are also looking at improving assisted wheelchair access to the track, as there has been requests from the public.

"NPWS also appreciates the public observing the no dogs rule along the track through the Lake Innes Nature Reserve."

Students from St Columba Anglican School have also used the walk track for their cross country event.

Also making news:

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.