Kokoda Track Authority Newsletter

Newsletter – July 2010

Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Day - 3rd November
The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels (FWA) Day program for 2010 is about to be released and the series of events will ensure a great day for communities and trekkers alike. Features for the day will include a Sports Program, presentation of FWA medallions, cultural programs, children's programs and FWA races with groups undertaking a series of tasks to symbolize the activities of the FWAs in 1942. Full program will be available at www.kokodatrackauthority.org.

The Day's event will be an alcohol free day. A formal request has been made to have 1st – 5th November declared alcohol free for the Kokoda Sub-District. To complement the FWA Day a FWA trek will be conducted from Kokoda to Owers' Corner where a FWA ceremony will be held in each village and a special celebratory day held at Efogi on 9th November. A request for quotation will be sent out to all licensed tour operators to supply operational and logistic support for this trek in the near future. Christine Haro Haro has been engaged by the KTA as a Project Manager to co-ordinate the event.

Livelihoods Pilot Project Update
The second pilot project based at Isurava has commenced and is expected have programs functioning soon. Please see below for a table of initiated projects at Nauro and Isurava/Alola/Abuari.

Project Anticipated Result*
Approximate Timing

Naoro 1

Rice Farming
Rice for sale to local communities and trekkers
2011 Trekking Season

Naoro 2

Goat meat and milk
Small amounts of goat milk will be ready by Aug 2010 while meat will take at least 9 - 12 months
August 2010

Chicken meat and eggs
Small amounts of chicken meat and eggs ready for sale to trekkers and local communities
August 2010

Duck meat
Small amounts of duck meat ready for sale to trekkers and local communities
November 2010

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables ready for sale to trekkers and local communities
2011 trekking season

Isurava
Screen printing and artefacts
Screen printed fabrics, artefacts will be ready for sale to trekkers and local communities such as pillow cases, cloth badges and draw-string bags
August 2010

Hot Water System
Pay p/use hot water system at Isurava Battlefield Guest House
2011 trekking season

Chicken meat and egg
Chicken meat and eggs for sale to trekkers and local communities
2011 trekking season

Alola
Cooking/Catering Service
Local dishes/recipes will be provided for sale to trekkers and local communities after the hygiene and food preparation workshop
2011 trekking season

Duck meat
Small amounts of duck meat ready for sale to trekkers and local communities
November 2010

Sewing Printed fabrics include badges, pillow cases, table cloths, wall decorations will be ready for sale to trekkers and local communities
August 2010

Fresh fruit and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables will be ready for sale to trekkers and local communities and Kokoda Women In Agriculture Business
November 2010

Abuari
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Fresh fruit and vegetables will be ready for sale to trekkers and local communities and Kokoda Women In Agriculture Business
November 2010

Goat meat and milk
Goat milk will be ready by October 2010 while meat will take at least 9 - 12 months
November 2010

Chickens for this project are the Astrolabe breed which are a larger (more tasty & tender) bird than existing chickens found in villages.

Food preparation and hygiene courses at Isurava/Alola/Abuari will focus on 'trekker friendly' dishes and communities will work with tour operators to develop menus.

These are the goals of the community groups implementing their projects. As with any small business there are some that may be more successful than others. We will be working closely with the community groups to support them to try to make good business decisions but in the end these projects are owned by the community and success and timing cannot be guaranteed.

Safety Package Update
The Safety Package continues to produce quick results with the Kokoda Airstrip maintenance underway, and contracts signed for;
• the design of the new terminal building at Kokoda Airstrip,
• delivery of first aid training for porters and guides of licensed tour operators,
• development of a 'Safety Map' for use by trekkers and operators, and
• a design study for 'Safer Creek Crossings'.

Stage two works on Owers Corner road is moving ahead well with good progress towards the completion of the upgrade to an 'all-weather' standard for the entire road by end of August. This will include a small car park at Owers' Corner, safety signs, safety guide-posts and a long term maintenance plan.

Track Upgrades
Planning is underway to commence the next round of Kokoda Track upgrades. Works are proposed to address safety issues north of the Brown River crossing and just south of Alola. These sites have been chosen to reduce the risk to trekkers from trail collapse and sliding or falling down slope or ending up in Brown River.

Works will be undertaken based on agreed principles of:
• Providing benefits to local communities and landowners where possible and practical.
• Maintain a 'jungle experience'.
• Maintain the perceived risk of the adventure but reduce the actual risk, and
• Infrastructure to enhance the experience

Detailed planning will be undertaken on site prior to the works commencing with options including re routing of dangerous trail and implementation of full bench tread with water management techniques. This on site planning will also ensure views, for example of Brown River will be retained and where possible enhanced.

Works will be undertaken using labour recruited from the villages adjacent to the track and negotiations are underway to have Time Eden to return from New Zealand to supervise the works. Works are scheduled to commence mid July and are programmed for completion early in September.

Track Rangers in Australia
Kokoda Track Authority Chairman James Enage and two Kokoda Rangers , Nuana (Nuxi) Momoa and Landy Noel traveled to Australia for a two week work experience program at Booderee National Park, in New South Wales.

Their program was designed to give them the opportunity to share their experiences with Rangers and the management team at Booderee and to learn practical hands-on exercises from their Australian counterparts on managing roads and tracks, deal with risks and handle safety incidents within a conservation area. The Park is jointly managed by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal community and time was spent within the community to explore livelihood opportunities that could be utilized within PNG.

Mr Enage said Booderee National Park is a great place for these rangers to share their cultural heritage and skills to keep tourists safe.

Enforcing License conditions
KTA Rangers will be checking adherence to KTA Commercial Operations License conditions with groups on the Track. This is to enhance trekker confidence that the Kokoda Track is a safe place to trek and to reinforce management's commitment to track safety and sustainability.

Ranger checks will include ensuring;
• Packs have a maximum weight of 25kgs, (please note the Kokoda Operators Code of Conduct states 20 kg as maximum weight),
• At least one trek leader has a valid first aid certificate, and
• Groups are carrying either a tuned VHF radio or a satellite phone.
• Carrying of the trek permit.

50 licensed tour operators
There are now 50 tour operators with a Commercial Operations License. All are listed on the KTA website www.kokodatrackauthority.org