The club has lodged a DA with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for approval of a learner driver training centre.

Kart Racing members met with neighbouring residents and associations on January 27 seeking support for the DA for the Burrawan Forest Drive facility.

Club president Jamie Barnes said the DA would allow motor vehicles on the track and assist in learner driver training for school students.

"We're trying to get approval to use it for driver training," he said.

"It could be used by L plate drivers who aren't confident to get straight on the road and would prefer somewhere more quiet.

"I've spoken with operators of driving training schools as part of the process.

"The track is basically unused from 9am to 12.30 weekdays and it would be good to see the track better utilised."

The DA approval would allow the use of motor vehicles and motorcycles on the track, which are not covered under the existing licence.

Learner drivers currently practice on Port Macquarie streets alongside daily traffic.

The closest Transport for NSW-approved training centres for motorcycle rider training scheme courses is in Taree, Newcastle and Coffs Harbour.

"In my opinion this new DA should be a tick and flick approval," said Mr Barnes.

Mr Barnes said the one kilometre long, eight metre wide track is ready-made for driver training. It can cater for hill starts, reverse parking and room to practice three-point turns.

"The idea is that instructors would pay a small fee per customer to use the track and young drivers could meet them there for the lesson," he said.

"There is also an avenue for motorcycle rider training, elderly people to resit their driving licence or practice caravan towing."

The track was resurfaced in December 2018 and November 2019.

Mr Barnes said extending the use of the track would help meet ongoing costs of insurance and other costs.

"The club needs to find income otherwise it won't survive. We can't survive on go karts alone because it's a substantial facility out here," he said.

Dunrite Driving School Port Macquarie instructor Glenn Coppleman said the proposed DA was a good idea.

"As long as it is reasonably priced and available for learner drivers or international clients," he said.

"It would depend on the price of the track but at the end of the day anything is a bonus if we can teach the drivers off the road.

"Port Macquarie is very unforgiving on the road. Learner drivers are treated very poorly on the roads here.

"It's not a bad idea to teach them the basics in a safer environment. before they are introduced to traffic on the road."

The club previously leased the track to a third party, AwesomeDrift to hold drifting events in Port Macquarie during a one year trial from May 2018. That trial has since reverted to the original license after an extension was refused in 2019.

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