Latest News From Kokoda Track Authority

[Kokoda]

The year ahead: 2011 activities
2011 promises to be a momentous year along the Kokoda Track with plans for improvements to the Track and KTA, new initiatives and with a bit of luck – improved numbers. Some of the new innovations include;

• A new (PNG National) KTA Chief Executive is expected to be announced in February (Rod Hillman will stay on until the end of this year).

• Kokoda Station will have a Ranger’s Office and House built in the town (opposite the Post Office) with a senior KTA officer based there.

• A consultancy will be advertised shortly to develop Guesthouse and Trekker Toilet standards plus a guesthouse booking system.

• Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Day celebrations will build on last year’s successes, 3rd November.

• A web-based online trek permit system is under development and is expected to “go live” in July.

• Delivery of subsidised Wilderness First Aid course for trekking guides.

• Completion of the Owers Corner road upgrade (March)

• Kokoda Airstrip Terminal and Office constructed (July)

Photo credit: Rawena Russell and Volker Scholz

Tour Operator Forums – Pre-Season
Scheduled dates for our 2011 pre-season Tour Operator forums;

PORT MORESBY – MONDAY, 21 MARCH 2011

BRISBANE – FRIDAY, 25 MARCH 2011

Last year’s end of season forum in Brisbane didn’t attract sufficient numbers to fully justify the event. Please RSVP to permits@kokodatrackauthority.org if you wish to attend the Brisbane Forum so we can determine if there is enough interest to continue the Australian based forums. Your views are welcome.
New Village Accounts
KTA has taken a new approach in track maintenance payments to villages by opening new Village based bank accounts. The villages, with the help of KTA, have created standardised accounts with PNG Microfinance Bank Ltd that are easier to use than traditional bank accounts.

Management Track Dates
The KTA will undertake a management trek on the 24 February 2011 from Kokoda to Owers Corner. The trek will include a thorough assessment of the Track 's condition before the season commences and undertake any immediate works required.

Track Conservation Program
Track Conservation works will be undertaken at Maguli Ridge, Imita Ridge and Ofi Creek before June focusing on improving safety whilst building on the jungle like trekking experience. Details will be discussed at the Operator Forums, after the management trek.

Kokoda Rangers at Booderee National Park
KTA Rangers Donald Siga, Joe Dhube and Elizah Peter with counterpart Operations Manager Michael O'Kave, visited Booderee National Park in Australia from 9 – 21 January for a training program aimed at sharing skills in park management, visitor management and track maintenance.

The initiative, promoted by the KTA with the support of the Australian government, aims to provide the rangers with further expertise, which would assist them in protecting and maintaining the Kokoda Track.

Counterpart Operations Manager, Michael O’Kave said, “We learnt techniques in GPS mapping, operated fauna cameras to capture and record data, used advanced technology for pest control and learnt skills in waterway clearance to maintain the tracks.”

For Rangers Joe and Elizah it was their first opportunity to travel overseas. “It was a dream come true – the experience was totally different to our country. As part of our work experience we identified and monitored marine wildlife and it was the first time for me to see dolphins, seals and penguins,” Ranger Joe said.

Booderee National Park provides a similar model to Kokoda in terms of community involvement in protected area management. The park is jointly managed between Parks Australia and the local indigenous community. Ranger Elizah said it was interesting to exchange cultural views on land issues. “We met with Aboriginal landowners to learn about their culture, how their communities come together and work in the Park."

KTA Chief Executive Rod Hillman said the exchange was invaluable. “This allows Kokoda Rangers to continually improve the safety and trekking experience along the Track, for trekkers and local communities."

The experience has encouraged the Rangers to take back their new skills and knowledge to the village. “What I’ve learnt can improve myself and my community,” said Ranger Elizah.

Photo: Rangers with The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

Safety Package Updates
• Owers’ Corner Road is accessible for all-weather 2WDs.

• Kokoda Terminal. Earthworks for the access road, terminal, carpark and apron area completed. Design for terminal complex almost complete.

• Safer Creek Crossings at Eora Creek, Templeton's and Elome Creek have been agreed as priorities, and initial investigations complete at Eora and Templeton's. A detailed investigation will be carried out during the management trek, 24 February 2011.

• Wilderness First Aid Training for those who have completed the basic first aid training is being organised for around April 2011.

Livelihoods Pilot Project
Pilots 1 and 2 activities are near to completion with the final field trip underway this week to Isurava and Alola. Vegetable farming will take place in Alola community with some of their vegetable seedlings such as broccoli, rice and beans transplanted from nursery to the fields. Chickens and ducks will be taken to Isurava as the community continue training in livestock raising.

This year, the Livelihoods Pilot Project for Pilots 3 and 4 will focus more on encouraging communities to benefit more specifically from the trekking market and will be open to representatives from all communities along the Kokoda Track. Communities along the Track will participate in basic business and technical skills training which will be held at three accessible locations; Kokoda, Efogi and Sogeri between March and July 2011. The training of community mentors will ensure support is provided to the community groups in project planning.

KTA have sent Request for Quotations to training providers seeking submissions by February 14, 2011.

You will be contacted shortly regarding your feedback and advice on prospective community business ideas and trekking market opportunities.

The Livelihoods project is part of the joint PNG-Australia Kokoda Initiative, which supports the sustainable development of the Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown River Catchment and Kokoda Track region.

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