A presentation on the Kokoda Initiative by Paul Murphy and Kay Kalim
Paul Murphy
Assistant Secretary
Australian Department of Sustainability, Environment,
Water, Population & Communities
Kay Kalim
Deputy Secretary
Papua New Guinea, Department of Environment and
Conservation
March 27th
Mercure Hotel, Sydney 2012
Location
MAP OF KOKODA TRACK REGION
Background
• First Joint Understanding 2008-2010 between PNG and Australia on the Kokoda Track and
Owen Stanley Ranges was signed on 23rd April 2008 in Madang, PNG between the 2
Environment Ministers
• Second Joint Understanding 2010 – 2015 signed in April 2010 in Alotau, Papua New Guinea
between the 2 Foreign Ministers
Our Goals
1. Safe & well-managed Kokoda Track, honouring wartime historical significance, protecting &
promoting special values
2. Enhanced quality of life for landowners & communities-improved delivery of basic services,
income generation & community development activities
3. Wise use & conservation of catchment protection area-Kokoda Track, natural & cultural
resources & values
4. Building national & international tourism potential of Owen Stanley Ranges & Kokoda Track
Region-possible future World Heritage nomination
5. Activities established under the Kokoda Initiative are sustained into the future
KOKODA INITIATIVE PROGRAM
• Kokoda Development Program
• Led by the Australian Government through the AusAID Program
• Kokoda Track Management
• Led by the Kokoda Track Authority
• Livelihoods
• Include community developments through various capacity building,
• Protection of Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown River Catchment and Kokoda Track Region,
• World Heritage including military, cultural and natural values,
• Carbon,
• Water and power
Australian Kokoda Taskforce
• Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population & Communities (DSEWPaC)
• Prime Minister & Cabinet (PM&C)
• Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT)
• AusAID
• Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
• Resources, Energy & Tourism (DRET)
• Climate Change (DCC)
• Defence
PNG Kokoda Taskforce
• Dept. of Environment and Conservation
• Dept. of National Planning & Monitoring
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• Department Provincial & Local Level Government
• Department of Lands and Physical Planning
• Kokoda Track Authority
• Department of Works
• Department of Transport
• PNG Power
• Mineral Resource Authority
• Tourism Promotion Authority
• National Cultural Commission
• Department Petroleum and Energy
• Civil Aviation Authority
• Department of Agriculture and Livestock
• Department of Treasury
• National Forest Authority
• Department Justice and Attorney
• Eda Ranu
Protection of Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown River Catchment and Kokoda Track Region
Livelihoods (including community development)
DEC, DEWHA,
•Protection Policy
•Landowner Engagement
•Future Water and Power Supply
•World Heritage feasibility study and heritage value identification
•Climate Change and Carbon Offsets
Livelihoods (including community development)
DEC, KTA, AusAID, Provincial and Local Government
.Livelihoods and income generation
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.Service Delivery –health, education, sport, transport
.Community Development
Track Management and Promotion
KTA, DEWHA, TPA
.Kokoda Track Safety Package
.Other Track Service Infrastructure
.Manage and promote Track Tourism
.Landholder/community participation and training
.Awareness -Importance of Track, heritage values and trekking
Achievements to date
Image: Annual Report document
• Full details available in the 2010-11 Annual Report for the Kokoda Initiative
• Design Document to be signed
• Production of a short video for the track
• Successful Stakeholder forum held
• PNG Protected Area Policy discussion paper
The Initiative
A Glimpse into the Future
• Strengthening the strategic focus of the PNG Taskforce
• Greater operational focus of the PMC as the KI coordinating body
• Gazettal of the IPZ as a Protected Area
• More inclusive involvement of the Central and Oro provincial administrations
• Greater community involvement in the management of the PA
• Greater inclusion of other supporters such as the Tour Operators, NGOs and church groups
The Track –
Historical Values
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Images: Historic images of the Kokoda Track in wartime
The Track –
Natural Values
Images: a range of images showing the natural values of the region
The Track –
Cultural Values
Images: two images of Papua New Guineans in traditional dress
The Track –
Tourism
Images: trekkers walking the Kokoda Track
Long Term Aim
To identify ways in which we can balance the long term protection of the ‘Kokoda Experience’
and the surrounding region with the needs of local communities.
What we aim to achieve today
• Provide stakeholders in the Kokoda Track region with an opportunity to share knowledge and
identify opportunities for cooperation.
• Consider the multiple values of Kokoda and the Kokoda experience today, and invite
participants to comment on ideas to sustain the Kokoda experience into the future.
• Develop a set of key issues or guiding principles to be addressed by an Interpretation Plan
for the Kokoda Track region.
• Encourage stakeholder participation and feedback through structured dialogue.
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