Progress Report on Kokoda Track Strategic Plan
TPA: PNG Tourism
KTA: Kokoda Track Authority
KTF: Kokoda Trust Foundation
WWF: World Wide Fund for Nature
DEC:
NCC: National Cultural Commission
DVA: Department of Veterans Affairs
AWM: Australian War Memorial
REFERENCE
GOAL/STRATEGY
1
IMPLEMENTATION
1.1
Goal:
Successfully implement the plan for sustainable tourism on
the Kokoda Track
1.1.1
Establish a joint Aus/PNG Govt organization to direct and
manage the implementation of the plan.
RESPONSIBLE
ORGANISATION
Aust Govt/
PNG Govt
PROGRESS
REPORT
No action
2
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2.1
Goal:
Build capacity in local communities to empower them to
effectively participate in, and support, sustainable tourism.
2.1.1
Educate KTA, tour operators, guides, porters and communities
in sound ecotourism practices (IES Principles)
KTA
Trek Operators
Communities
No action
2.1.2
Conduct workshops and education programs in the basic skills
needed to support them.
 How to bake
 Food selection, preparation and presentation
 Sales techniques
 Guest house management
 Basket weaving
 Artefact making and selling
KTA
TPA
No action
2.1.3
Set up a leadership development program for local
communities
KTA
Communities
No action
2.1.4
Diversify economic activities in communities in order to
reduce dependency on tourism (Crop production for market)
Communities
KTA
No action
2.1.5
Conduct research and prepare a report on ther social,
Aust Govt/
No action
2
environmental and recreational carrying capacity of the Track
PNG Govt
2.2
Goal:
Develop an integrated approach to land use management
and trekking based on sustainable practices
2.2.1
Sponsor community representative to participate in training
courses that provide the skills necessary to manage community
development projects, e.g:
 Orchid gardens
 Bird of paradise display trees
 Wildlife viewing (bird forests)
 Bower bird nest viewing sites
 Giant echidna viewing
 Night spotting of tree kangaroos and cuscus
 Stands of fragrant trees
 Butterfly gardens
KTA
Communities
No action
2.2.2
Establish community operated nature reserves to showcase
local flora and fauna
Communities
KTA
WWF
DEC
No action
3
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
3.1
Goal:
Provide protection for the Kokoda Track and Owen
Stanley Range as an area of outstanding biodiversity and
universal natural heritage value
3
3.1.1
Obtain listing for the Kokoda track and parts of the Owen
Stanley range as a World Heritage site
WWF
DEC
KTA
Landowners
Draft application has been
prepared
3.1.2
Establish a research program to identify and document natural
heritage values of the Owen Stanley range
KTA
DEC
WWF
No action
3.1.3
Produce interpretative materials of the natural environment for
trekkers
WWF
DEC
WWF
No action
3.1.4
Conduct an environmental impact assessment of tourism on
the Kokoda Track
3..2
Goal:
Minimise the negative impacts of tourism
3.2.1
Apply to have contiguous areas adjacent to the Track declared
as Wildlife Management Areas
Landowners
DEC
KTA
WWF
No action
3.2.2
Implement a ranger training and development program for
KTA
No action
No action
4
local communities
Communities
3.2.3
Publish guidelines for ecologically sustainable practices to be
adopted by tour operators, guides, porters, local communities
and trekkers
KTA
Trek Operators
Communities
Trekkers
WWF
No action
3.2.4
Develop an action plan to eradicate invasive exotic plant
species on the track
KTA
LO
DEC
WCS
No action
3.2.5
Introduce a construction code to ensure new buildings, camp
sites and facilities are functionally and environmentally
appropriate
NCC
KTA
No action
4
CULTURAL HERITAGE
4.1
Goal:
Preserve the cultural heritage of the people living along the
Kokoda Track
4.1.1
Introduce community programs which nurture and promote
cultural heritage
KTA
NCE
Communities
No action
5
4.1.2
Publish culturally sensitive design and construction principles
for site developments and buildings
NCC
KTA
Communities
No action
4.1.3
Establish a monitoring and reporting system for the
preservation of cultural heritage
KTA
Communities
No action
5.
MILITARY HERITAGE
5.1
Goal:
Identify, preserve and promote the military heritage values
of the track, to include the development of interpretive
memorials at significant locations
5.1.1
Establish a body to oversee the preservation and promotion of
the military heritage values of the Kokoda Track
Aust Govt/
PNG Govt
Joint Aust/PNG Government
organization to relevant agencies,
e.g. DVA, AWM, NCC, etc
5.1.2
Enact appropriate legislation to protect and honour the military
heritage of the Kokoda Track (e.g. World Heritage listing)
Aust Govt/
PNG Govt
No action
5.1.3
Develop a plan for the listing, preservation and
commemoration of all significant military sites along the track
Aust Govt/
PNG Govt
No action
5.1.4
Have the tracjk recognized as a ‘National Memorial Park’
Aust Govt/
No action
6
owned and managed by customary landowners
PNG Govt
5.1.5
Incorporate military history education into a carrier’s/guide’s
vocational program
KTA
Trek Operators
TPA
No action
5.1.6
Improve the standard of interpretive and commemorative
facilities at appropriate sites
Aust Govt/
PNG Govt
KTA
DVA
KTF
No action
5.1.7
Incorporate WW11 re-enactiments into community cultural
heritage presentations
Communities
KTA
NCC
No action
7