The Actual Awareness Program:

Wed 26 May: Fly to Kokoda on Air PNG. Brief talks with Kokoda leaders and community members pending meeting with LLG, which was deferred till Thurs morn. Visited Kokoda memorial sites and museum, police station, district office and Kokoda Memorial Hospital. Accom: David Soru Guest House

Thu 27 May: Meeting with Kokoda LLG President 8.30 ? 9.30 then walked to Kovelo (1 hour). Welcome singsing at Kovelo then awareness meeting (2.5 hours) and lunch. Walked to Hoi (45 min). Awareness meeting at night with Hoi elders (1.5 hours) Accom: Hoi Guest Houses

Fri 28 May: Walked to Isurava in rain (5 hours), meeting with Isurava villagers (1.5 hours), lunch and walked to Isurava Memorial and Alola (3 hours). Held awareness meeting at night for Alola and Abuari villagers (2 hours).
Accom: Alola Guest Houses.

Sat 29 May: Walked from Alolo to Templeton #2 Crossing (8 hours). Camped adjacent new iron walled & roofed guest house under construction. Camp: Templeton 2 Crossing

Sun 30 May: Walked from Templeton 2 to Kagi (8.5 hours). Awareness meeting at Kagi for Kagi and Boridi wards (2.5 hours). Accom: Kagi Guest Houses

Mon 31 May: Inspected Kavovo school and projects. Held second meeting with Kagi, Naduri and Maraba villagers (2 hours). Walked to Efogi 2 (Launumu) and Efogi 1 (3 hours). Welcome and refreshments. Conducted awareness meeting (1.5 hours) and adjourned till next morning. Accom: Efogi Guest Houses

Tue 1 Jun: Resumed Efogi meeting (1.5 hours). Walked from Efogi to Manari (5 hours). Held meeting (1 hour) and adjourned till next morning. Accom: Manari Guest Houses.

Wed 2 Jun: Resumed Manari meeting (2 hours). Walked to new Naoro Village (5 hours). Conducted meeting in evening (3 hours). Accom: New Naoro Guest Houses

Thu 3 Jun: Walked Naoro village to Ua?ule Creek, lunch at new Guest House then walked 1 hour to camp site (9 hours). Reviewed results of awareness meetings in evening. Camp: Lower Imita Ridge Campsite

Fri 4 Jun: Walked 2 hours to Imita Ridge then Goldie River, Owers Corner (total 5 hours). Stopped at Girinumu Village for brief awareness meeting (1.5 hours), then walked on to Red Shield Army and Vesulogo to meet transport to Riverside Store arriving at 4.00pm. Barbecue and accom Riverside Store.

Sat 5 Jun: Porters paid off. Port Moresby visit and porters drop off, then in afternoon guided tour of Rouna #1 Hydro Scheme Turbine Room and Varirata National Park. Accom: Riverside Store.

Sun 6 Jun: Visited Vesulogo Village for awareness meeting in morning (2.5 hours) and lunch. Returned to Depo for meeting in afternoon with poor attendance of only 8 representatives (1 hour). Transport of remaining Awareness Team members to Port Moresby in afternoon.

Wed 9 Jun: Attended meeting of Depo Ward community leaders and villagers for awareness with approx 50 in attendance (2.5 hours). The Interim Manager officiated at this meeting with assistance of Councillor David Asi and Narai Billy.

End of Awareness Patrol

2. Proclamation and Constitution:

a) The Area of Authority per clause 2 of the Constitution was discussed in each ward meeting and the villages in the wards prioritized for benefits from the Authority due to their proximity to the track as follows:

Koiari Rural Local-level Government

Ward 5 (DEPO) comprising the villages of Depo (Mageri), Manurinimu, Ianabewai, Maketawai and Bisitabu; (no changes) and

Ward 6 (VESULOGO) comprising the villages of Vesulogo No.1, Vesulogo No.2, Morenarovo, Girinumu, Uberi No.1, Uberi No.2, the institutions of Red Shield Army, Ilolo Plantation, Bisianumu Plantation, and Girinumu Plantation; (note five new inclusions) and

Ward 15 (BODIRI) comprising firstly the village of Bodinumu and the institution of Bodinumu Primary School, and secondly the villages of Daoi and Bodiri (Boridi); (no changes) and

Ward 16 (KAGI) comprising the villages of Kagi, Naduri, Maraba, Myola, and the institution of Kavovo Primary School; (note new inclusion of Maraba village) and

Ward 17 (EFOGI) comprising firstly the villages of Efogi No.1, Efogi No.2 (Launumu) and Enivilogo and secondly the village of Hagelogo; (no changes) and

Ward 18 (MANARI) comprising firstly the villages of Manari, Loni, Naoro and Ioribaiwa, and secondly the villages of Hogelo (Ebologo), Madilogo and Manalogo. (no changes)

Kokoda Rural Local-level Government:

Ward 1 (ASIMBA) comprising the villages of Kanga, Asimba, Karukaru, Sungeina, Gorovaki and Korogo; (note village priority removed and two extra villages) and

Ward 2 (KOBRLO) comprising firstly the Villages of Kovelo No.1 and Kovelo No.2 (Hoi), and secondly the villages of Savaia and Ebel (Ebei); (no changes) and

Ward 4 (AMADA) comprising firstly the village of Botue and Manua, and secondly the villages of Saga and Amada; (change of priorities and one extra village) and

Ward 5 (KOKODA STATION) comprising the villages of Kokoda No.1, Kokoda No.2, Kokoda No.3 and the institution of the Seventh Day Adventist Church; (note Kokoda Plantation Portions relocated to new Ward 6) and

Ward 6 (KOAGEA BLOCK) comprising Kokoda Plantation Portions 18, 35, 38, 39, 153, 189, 191, and LA2379, 3071, and Portions 161 ? 188; (note new ward insertion in amended Proclamation and Constitution, Kokoda Plantation being previously included in Ward 5) and

Ward 7 (KEBARA) comprising firstly the village of Kanandara, and secondly the villages of Kebara, Pirive, Kamondo and Sengi; (no changes) and

Ward 8 (ABUARI) comprising the villages of Abuari, Hagutava, Kaile and Pelai; (no changes) and

Ward 9 (ALOLA) comprising the villages of Alola and Isurava; (no changes) and

Ward 10 (WAJU) comprising the villages of Waju, Sisireta, Havaki, Onseta (Hovea) and Gorari. (no changes)

For Ward 6 (KOAGEA BLOCK) to be inserted in the Proclamation and the Constitution, there will need to be a resolution of the Kokoda LLG requesting such amendment and Dept of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs arrange for the necessary amendment to the Proclamation to be approved by the Minister for Inter-Government Relations for assent by the Governor-General. KTA management can assist with the preparations for any such amendment.

c) The Functions of the Authority per clause 15 of the Constitution were discussed in each ward meeting and appeared to be understood and well accepted.

There was some concern expressed that some donor agencies who supply materials and labour expertise (e.g. Rotary International) may not wish to pay project funds to KTA, but prefer to utilize the services of KTA as facilitators. There would appear to be no problem with such arrangement and therefore clause 15.(d) be amended to read as follows:

?15.(d) administer, facilitate, ensure and or oversee the implementation of the developments and other projects in the Kokoda Track Area: ?

It is proposed that the Authority have internet exposure through various websites such as PNG Tourism Authority, Kokoda Track Foundation and possibly its own website, the various possibilities to be explored. Such would assist promoting trekking of the Track and provide access for various KTA registered tour operators to obtain trekking clients.

It is also proposed that projects which Koiari Special Purpose Authority have made application for on behalf of Kokoda Track communities, be transferred to KTA for follow up action on application funding and implementation in conjunction with donor agencies such as Community Development Scheme, AusAid, Rotary International, etc.

Other functions under this heading are more clearly defined under the general agenda items below.

e) Finance for the Authority per part IV of the Constitution was briefly discussed with the main income source being estimated through Trek Permit Fees and Donor Agency grants for infrastructure projects. It was proposed that application be made to Northern and Central Provincial Governments through the Koiari and Kokoda LLGs for grants for the first year to enable the administration to be adequately established without using trekking fees.

Two bank accounts have been established with BSP Douglas Street, Port Moresby branch titled Kokoda Track Authority ? Operating A/c, and Trek Permit Fee A/c. K62,795 has been transferred from PNGTIA representing Trek Permit fees collected since 2002 and an estimated similar amount is awaited from Niugini Tours Pty Ltd in Sydney who have been collecting Trek Permit fees and holding the funds in trust since 2001.

3. Trek Permit Fees: Trek Permit fees set in 2001 and continuing to date have been K100.00 per international trekker or non-citizen in PNG whilst citizen trekkers have been K50.00 and students 50% of the normal rate. There is no charge for residents of the Kokoda Track area.

At all meetings the trek fee amount was discussed and all recommended that the Authority, with the approval of the Kokoda and Koiari LLGs, double the rates. With present currency exchange rates K200 permit fee is AU$90.00, which Australian trekkers will accept.

Councillor Lance Lovi of Kovelo Ward Kokoda LLG gave a keynote address at all meetings explaining the reasons for the closure of the Track in 2000. Some K128,000 in trekking fees has been collected since the re-opening of the Track in 2001 to date by Niugini Tours and PNGTourism Industry Association Inc. If such fees had been introduced 63 years earlier, there would have been millions of Kina collected and put towards community infrastructure developments.

All communities voiced approval that all trekking fees held in trust since 2001, together with ongoing trekking fees, must be collected by Kokoda Track Authority and their authorized agents. Such funds are to be put towards Community Infrastructure Development Projects supplemented with funds from donor agencies and Government contributions.

To encourage non-citizen residents of PNG to walk the Track, the new Trek Fee of K100 applies to both citizen and non-citizen trekkers, with 50% discount for students. No Trek Fee is applicable for Kokoda Track residents. Special Trek Fee rates will be determined for short treks, including one day treks. The Trek Leader is not charged a Trek permit Fee, but should obtain a Permit to ensure his accepted passage over the Track.

With an estimated 1,000 Australian trekkers in one year at K200 per person, K200,000 will be raised. An estimated 500 PNG resident trekkers in one year will provide an extra K50,000.

Books of 50 forms Kokoda Track Authority Trek Permits in triplicate are planned to be printed, with each trekker receiving a permit upon payment of the fee. Recognized Tour Operators will be issued with a supply of these accountable form books, and issue the permit when their client pays for their tour. The Tour Operators will be required to perform a regular reconciliation of their Trek Permit issues and deposit the funds in the KTA Trek Permit Fee bank account with a copy of the permits being mailed to KTA for accountability and recording in the Register of Trekkers which will be maintained by the Authority.

The original Permit Form will allow the trekker to obtain a village rubber stamp impression at each village as proof of walking the Kokoda Track. Such will provide the trekker a memento of his travels. On the reverse of the original Permit form will be ?Guidelines for Walking the Kokoda Track?.

5. Tour Operators to Advise the Authority of their Trekking Program:

To assist with the co-ordination of trekking groups over the Kokoda Track and to ensure that Guest House accommodation is not stretched to the limit, Tour Operators will be requested to supply the Authority with their Trekking Program and number of trekkers and porters so that guest house bookings can be co-ordinated through the Authority and Tour Operators advised if there are any over-bookings.

Community leaders advised that villages from Hoi to Depo were devoted Seventh Day Adventist followers and that trekkers must not interfere with their daily devotion times of 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm, whilst most would appreciate no trekkers in their villages on their Sabbath which commences at 5.00pm on Friday night and finishes at 6.00 pm on Saturday night.

Tour Operators may have to review their trekking itineraries to encompass such requests and have trekkers camp away from the villages on the Sabbath if a rest day is not programmed. The main thing is that trekking groups show respect towards the communities? religious beliefs for the sake of well-being of all parties.

7. Guide and Porter Registration with the Authority:

• The Kokoda Track communities want first preference employment of guides and porters to be given to Kokoda Track young and medically fit Koiari men.

To assist in achieving this request, the Authority proposes that all guides and porters register with the Authority. Details of their name, village, age (date of birth), years or number of treks experience, any training courses attended, tour operators with whom they have worked, etc. will be recorded. The Authority (with its database and radio communication with most villages) should be able to help tour operators obtain their guides and porters.

The recent trend of some guides to have prospective porters register with them for a fee is to be discouraged as such creates animosity between porters and those who do not receive jobs.

The Authority will also arrange with PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and other organizations for training courses to be conducted for porters, guides and aspiring persons to progress to local Tour Operators. First Aid training for guides can be organized with St John?s Ambulance Brigade and it is recommended that all Tour Guides carry a First Aid Kit for treating of basic ailments and injuries of trekkers and porters.

It was suggested that recognized Kokoda Track guides and porters be graded for level of competence (Grade 1, 2, 3, etc) and supplied with ID cards. It was also suggested that there be some guidelines created for pay rates of guides and porters and that casual rates also be set for village to village porters, where repatriation is by foot back to the place of engagement instead of aircraft to/from either Kokoda, Port Moresby or Mount Koiari ports.