Business of the Day

Agenda 1: Guide and Porter Registration with the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA)

Mr Vincent stated that currently individual operators had their own porters and guides but raised the possibility of setting up a tour company of guides and porters for all tour operators to use. He said this may reduce the incidents along the Track like the one at Hoi in June.

Mr Bartlett confirmed that during a recent awareness conducted by KTA on the track, concern was raised that the Hoi incident could have been the result of using guides and porters that are not from villages along the track. The first priority would be to register and use guides and porters along the Track as is the case in many resource project areas and then organise training for porters and guides with the TPA. He stressed that the Kokoda Track covered Ower’s Corner to Kokoda Station. Trek permits were also discussed.

Mr Owen Davies of Pacific Travel and Niugini Holidays, questioned if that was the only purpose for registration because as far as he was aware, the Kokoda Track extends to Buna and Gona. He asked how the KTA would control the situation.

Mr Bartlett admitted it would be initially hard to police but the registration process must start somewhere and extended over time.

Ms Gail Thomas of Extreme Kokoda Trekking Adventure said the Oro Kaiva people should be given a fair go as well and asked whether tour operators would be forced to hire Koiari men and traditional landowners.

Mr Bartlett answered ‘yes, that was the principle of it.’

Mr Charlie Lynn, KTF & the tour operators, agreed with Mr Bartlett. The first priority was to provide opportunities for Koiari guides and porters. The people along the Track wanted some ownership and some say.

Mr Coney asked about compliance and control.

Mr Lynn confirmed that registration would be a basic first step and would include information such as personal details, medical condition and experience of guides and porters. The database would be a good place to start and would allow the KTA to monitor movement along the track.

Ms Ruth Dicker, tour operator, asked why couldn’t the tour operators employ their own guides. She proposed that the tour operators submit a list of guides and porters as they have already spent time and money on training for their guides and porters.

Mr Bartlett proposed to register tour operators as well to obtain details of the regular guides and porters employed for the database. It would be most helpful to know whom the guides and porters are currently working for and those who are waiting for employment.

Ms Dicker stated that there are already limited positions and all guides and porters should be linked with a tour operator.

Mr Davies stated that KTA would get “flack” from operators as they were aware that KTA intends to set up its own tour company adding that this raises the issue of conflict of interest.

Mr Gary Imiri of KTA rebutted saying they were only re-enforcing the community’s views on the issue and that it was not the intention of KTA to set up its own tour company.

Mr Vincent confirmed all tour operators have their own porters and guides.

Some tour operators expressed that they did not like the idea for a list of porters and guides to be placed on a website.

Mr Vincent confirmed the KTA will have a database not a website.

Ms Dicker repeated that tour operators should endorse their own guides and porters.

Mr Mark Bainbrigge, RSL, stated that self-compliance would only take place initially until guides and porters were registered.

Mr Lynn stated that he did not differentiate between guides and porters. They all carried backpacks and they could all point out which direction to take. They all operated under the guidance of Mr Alex Rama.

It was acknowledged that other tour operators did differentiate between guides and porters.

Tour operators preferred to use their own guides and porters.

Mr Coney asked how guides and porters were to be prioritised along the Track and how would policing occurs.

Mr Bartlett responded that this would occur via database. If issues arise the KTA can then deal with them.

Mr Vincent recommended that a guide and porter registration process take place and that tour operators submit a list to the KTA. This was agreed to.

4. Track Fees Collection, Permits and Purpose of Revenue

Mr Bartlett advised that thus far KTA has collected K63,000 permit fees from PNGTIA. While other fees paid in Australia are still being held with Ruth Dicker of Niugini tours.

Mr Bartlett stated that Ms Dicker was an agent in Australia and had written to the KTA, on behalf of New Guinea tours, to request what purpose the funds are put.

Mr Bartlett responded that the funds would be allocated to community infrastructure development projects along the track. Other projects were discussed during the Awareness Patrol Trek whereby the villages came up with a wish list and 5-year development plans. One significant project in urgent need of attention is the Ower’s Corner to Sogeri Road.

Mr Bartlett also discussed the KTA permits to be issued and the guidelines to accompany these.

Mr Bartlett informed that the money collected from the PNGTIA had been transferred, however KTA was still awaiting monies form New Guinea tours. They were still using their own system to collect trek fees.

Ms Dicker replied that the fees haven’t been handed over as all the landowners needed to sign off the transfer of these funds. She hadn’t seen this document. Further, Ms Dicker asked whether the KTA was the rightful body to collect the fees. There was still dispute over this issue.

She said there were funds collected before the Proclamation of KTA and after the proclamation and as such KTA has no right to the money collected before the proclamation.

The meeting became rowdy at this point as, mainly members of the KTA led by Garry Imiri and Alfred Amuli, voiced their loud disapproval of Ms Dicker’s statements.

Mr Davies then tabled a questionnaire survey undertaken by his company, which showed 56% of the 31 landowner groups along the track were aware of the existence of KTA however, only 6% were in support of the KTA and almost 100% disagreed with the funds being transferred to KTA. He stated that the fees existed and were held in trust. Fees were collected for the landowners as that was what they wanted.

There were repeated interjections from the KTA and Koiari landowner representatives as Mr Davies was speaking.

Mr Lynn refuted the statistics. He advised that it was never intended for the trek fees to go to landowners per se. Fees were to go to whatever organisation transpired to represent the landowners. Mr Lynn stated that it was outrageous for a tour operator to withhold the fees from this body (the KTA) now that it had been established.

Ms Dicker claimed that an “Authority” was never envisaged saying it was her idea that money collected be divided 50/50 to Oro and Central landowners and that it does not go to the KTA.

Mr Lynn disputed this and said he had a clear recollection of all the meetings with Oro Governor Governor Sylvanus Siembo at the time. Fees were to be transferred to a legally constituted authority such as the KTA and that it was initially his idea to collect track fees.

Mr Lynn said KTA was the best thing going for PNG and accused Ms Dicker of trying to divide people and hold them against each other saying this was outrageous.

Mr Lynn then gave notice that he would propose that the fees held by Niugini tours be transferred to the KTA forthwith.

Mr Vincent suggested the fees be transferred to either PNGTIA or the KTA. Funds must not be withheld and a solution must be found.

Ms Dicker stated she would like to seek legal advice on this matter.

Mr Lynn informed that legal advice would simply chew up the fees and would take a long time to resolve. He accused Ms Dicker as using it a delaying tactic to avoid transferring the funds and said the KTA would be wasting resources if it responded to her suggestion. He suggested the TPA fund any legal advice. Again he formally proposed that Niugini Tours be directed to handover money to the KTA as the legal representative of the landowners forthwith.

Ms Dicker responded that she would make her own enquiries regarding legal advice. She was unsure whether it would be right to disperse money to a third party. Further, Ms Dicker said she would think about handing over the fees on the condition that the KTA would indemnify Niugini Tours against any future legal action or recourse by landowners.

Mr Vincent recommended that Mr Bartlett take Ms Dicker’s proposal to the KTA Board for endorsement and then report the outcomes. Until that time Ms Dicker would hold the funds.

Mr Bartlett agreed to this.

Mr Lynn stated that money collected via the trek fees should be for shared benefits for all landowners along the Track.

Mr Norris James of KTA advised that he was on a trek last week. Many landowners were misguided about the logging concessions along the Track. It was discovered that Ms Dicker had circulated a petition to stop funds going to the KTA. This caused another uproar at the meeting.

Ms Dicker asked whether the KTA had been sworn in.

Mr Bartlett replied that this would occur in August.
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6. Registration of Guest Houses and possible training of operators/owners in basic operation and bookkeeping

Mr Vincent stated that the TPA wanted this placed on the agenda as no inventory currently existed. This would need to be done with the assistance of the tour operators. A list could be prepared followed by workshops and a program of activities to be organised along the Track.

Mr Bartlett advised that with the assistance of the tour operators some organisation of guesthouses was being maintained. It is important that guesthouses are built in appropriate and proper locations, in traditional style and that standardisation of rates be paid. Guesthouse owners would also be issued with receipts to monitor rates of pay.

Discussions ensued regarding environmentally friendly toilets, water supply and the like.

Ms Dicker proposed levels of rates of pay for standards of guesthouses to act as incentives for guesthouse owners. The facilities for porters must also be addressed.

Mr Lynn stated that standardisation for guides and porters were important especially in regard to the amount of weight carried and the rate of pay. Tour operators should also be responsible for providing sleeping bags and blankets for guides and porters.

Mr Vincent proposed that tour operators co-ordinate with the KTA to look at standardisation, awareness and training programs. This was agreed to.

7. KTA takeover of Kokoda Track Radio Network – registration of all radios (base and hand held) and upgrading of system

Mr Bartlett advised that the radio network was working well so far. The KTA was trying to improve the radio system. Once the KTA was sworn in, it would take over the registration and maintenance of the radio network system.

8. Logging and mining in the Kokoda Track Area

Mr Lynn gave an update on the logging concessions that exist on the Kokoda Track. If logging is permitted, tourism will stop. During the last trek, Mr Lynn negotiated with each landowner to sign away their logging rights under the concessions. This showed the landowners vote of confidence in the KTA (100%). Mr Lynn challenged anyone to defy this. The WWF and the KTA working together to develop self-sustaining eco-tourism activities for people on the Track for the future.

9. Any Other Business

Mr Bainbrigge stated that many trekkers carried extra money. As part of their educational services it would be most beneficial for the villagers to provide more than the tour operators can. Money from trekkers could then go straight to the landowner and the villages.

Mr Lynn informed that his trekkers have always done this.

Koiari landowner Bagua Watti stressed that the road from Ower’s Corner to Depot needed urgent attention.

Mr Vincent replied that a long-term solution was needed and the TPA and KTA were looking into it. They would approach government agencies to improve the situation ASAP.

Mr Bartlett stated that he would propose the road be upgraded and be paid for with the trek fees at the next KTA Board meeting.

Mr. Lynn then discussed and distributed the ‘Interim Report on the Kokoda Track Sustainable Tourism Strategy and Action Plan’ developed by the KTF, WWF and UTS. The report was a living ongoing document. He requested input and feedback. The final report would be due in November. “Working together for good tourism.”

On a final note, Mr. Vincent stated that if anyone had any concerns to refer their problems to the KTA.

12.30 pm close

IMPORTANT: These minutes were merged and compiled with input from notes supplied by Natalie Shymko of Kokoda Track Foundation and verified with notes taken by Colin Taimbari of TPA.