Kokoda Track Authority, Newsletter Issue: No. 8 - December 2009 Options

[Boss Meri]

KTA has moved

The KTA has moved upstairs to a larger ofice on Level 3 Brian Bell Plaza Boroko. We have retained the same phone/fax numbers and we welcome visitors.

Numbers on the Track:

November has been a positive month and over 50 booked for December means we will finish the year with a flourish. Overall visitation is now 22% down on 2008 figures with the potential to be only 20% down by year's end.

Kokoda Track Permit Holder Monthly Trekking Statistics Since 2001 to December 2009

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[Boss Meri]

Tour Operator Forum - Port Moresby

The third Tour Operator Forum was held in Port Moresby on the 20th November at the Hideaway Hotel. The meeting focused on the introduction of the Tour Operator Licensing system to be introduced for the 2010 season. Issues surrounding Public Liability Insurance and Porters' conditions were discussed at length and further information will be distributed in the New Year.

[Boss Meri]

Kokoda Alliance - Philanthropy

A meeting was held in Sydney on the 1st of December to bring together the various players with an interest in philanthropy along the Kokoda Track. The meeting was well attended with a wide mix of tour operators, charitable and church organisations, Government Agencies and was chaired by Mr. Sandy Hollway.

The delegates agreed that a co-ordinated approach would enhance the delivery and supply of charitable activities within the Kokoda Track communities and the best process was to develop the "Kokoda Alliance" whereby groups and/or individuals could be actively engaged in determining the actual needs of the communities, the most effective methods of delivery and ensuring there was a way that current projects could be known to prevent replication and wasted energy.

A first step is the KTA will establish a website where charitable projects can be advertised and potential sponsors can see what opportunities are available. The website will also have a forum where people can discuss their projects and authorities can provide useful information. The operation of the website will be contracted out through an expression of interest process in the New Year.

[Boss Meri]

KTA Works Program Advisory Committee

The inaugural meeting of the KTA Works Program Advisory Committee was also held on the 20th November. My thanks to Ruben Maleva, Jim Drake, Bill James, Frant Taylor, Nari Billy, Jack Deia and Wayne Weatherall for their active participation. David Howell and John Miles have expressed interest in joining the committee. James Enage was unavailable due to his involvement with the Kokoda Track Sports Development Program.

The Committee discussed the track works undertaken this season and the proposed works program for 2010. It also spent considerable time discussing management outcomes for the KTA to follow.

Outcomes:

1. Membership to be expanded to include any operator who satisfies the terms of reference guidelines.

2. Management outcomes for the KTA to manage towards.

• Return the Track to a 'jungle experience' utilizing sustainable practices.
• Preserve and enhance the 1942 story with authenticity and respect.
• Highlight and encourage the cultural identity of the people living on the Track.

3) Principles to be followed in delivering on the Management Outcomes.

• Provide benefits to local communities and landowners where possible and practical.
• Maintain the perceived risk of the adventure but reduce the actual risk.
• Any infrastucture must enhance the experience.

4. Designs and probable locations for footbridges should be explored (following management outcomes and principles).

Actions:

5. KTA to develop an action plan based on the Management Outcomes and Principles and distribute to the Advisory Committee (Feb.'10)

6. Footbridge recommendations to be forwarded to Advisory Committee (Feb. '10)

After the meeting Bill James and Volker Scholz walked the track Madilogo - Manari - Efogi - Naduri - Kagi to review the recent CVA works. A report fromt his trip will follow.

[Boss Meri]

Kokoda Track Sports Development Program:

The Kokoda Track Rugby League Team of 17 players and 4 officials completed their Talent Identification and Skills Development Training Sessions with the Gold Coast Titans Junior Development Management Team from the 22nd to 28th November, 2009 on the Gold Coast. Apart from the training sessions the team visited the Gold Coast RSL Club where they had lunch and met with the 1942 Kokoda Track War Two VBeterans on the 27th November. In respond to this program on the Gold Coast, a few local Rugby League players in Queensland have called the Australian organisers to recruit a few players from this arrangement to play for them next session. Preparations are now underway.

The Kokoda Track Sports Development Program, has been a self funded project under the Kokoda Track Authority and successfully managed and completed program this year. The Kokoda Track Sports Development Program Committee expresses its sincere gratitude to all its sponsors for this year and wishes to thank the Honourable Anthony Nene, MP; Sogeri Lodge; Adventure Kokoda and Helifix Helicopters (PNG) for being the major sponsors for this years program.

[Fluppy]

KTA Works Program Advisory Committee

4. Designs and probable locations for footbridges should be explored (following management outcomes and principles).

They are considering footbridges? Oh no! Where? If they do that it will become a 'walk in the park'...

How can they do this (the footbridge thing) and be able to "Return the Track to a 'jungle experience' utilizing sustainable practices."? What part of 'footbridge' gives a jungle experience??

[Boss Meri]

Tour Operator Survey - TPA Sydney:

I sent out a survey to all Tour Operators seeking their input for research on market expectations for next year and any actions required to counter any negative perceptions. This is important research that was highlighted as a key task at the recently held Tour Operator's Forum in Port Moresby. Please ensure you send you completed survey through to Vera Huntink: Email: vera.huntink@gtitourism.com.au at TPA Sydney.

[Boss Meri]

Global Eco Conference:

James Enage and I travelled to Uluru and Alice Springs in November to present a keynote speech to the Global Eco Conference where James spoke about the importance of the trekking industry to the communities along the track and I spoke about the challenges facing the industry.

The presentation was well received and an offer to repeat the presentation to the Foreign Jouranlists Association was accepted and undertaken in late November.

[Boss Meri]

Kokoda Memorial Hospital Rotary Renovations:

Three Australian volunteers from Rotary Taree in New South Wales started initial renovations in the maternal and child health areas of the Kokoda Hospital. Initial renovations will take place with further work continuing February 2010.

[Boss Meri]

Tour Operator Licensing:

Further information will be sent out by the end of January. Issues that require further work include Compulsory Public Liability Insurance and PNG Company Registration. It is expected these will be resolved shortly.

I wish you and your wantoks well over the festive season and again thank you all for your support of the team at KTA over a very busy year and I look forward to seeing you all next season.

[Boss Meri]

Safety Package Update:

Mr. Brian Boon has been appointed as the Safety Package Program Manager and will commence work on the 14th December. Brian has a strong engineering and project Management background and over seven years experience in leading similar projects in PNG. Brian is a welcome member to our team and gives the KTA a further breadth and depth of skills and experience.

[Boss Meri]

The KTA Office will be closed over the Christmas New Year Break. Closed from 19th December until the 3rd January.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Yours,

Rod Hillman
Chief Executive
KOKODA TRACK AUTHORITY
PO Box 545
Boroko.

Telephone: +675 323 6165
Fax: +675 323 6020
Email: kokodatrackauthority@global.net.pg

PS There will be no KTA Newsletter in January
PPS Stay tuned for the new KTA website at: www.kokodatrackauthority.org

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[Mrs Moo]

Fluppy, like you I was horrified by the mention of footbridges on the track. I have just sent off an email to the KTA at the address listed above, to that effect. Maybe if we all lodge a protest, they might decide it's not such a bright idea.

Mary

[Wokabaut Meri]

Mrs Moo,
I think that the footbridges are in line with:

3. Principles to be followed in delivering on the Management Outcomes.

• Maintain the perceived risk of the adventure but reduce the actual risk.

This reflects some of the discussions that I've had with prospective trekkers ie they want to experience an adventure but want to be safe at the same time. It's also my personal issue - the practice of 'dumbing down' tracks in the interests of risk mitigation.

I don't know the answer but surely removing all the challenges will make it NOT an adventure. Perhaps we should create a virtual Kokoda on Second Life to ensure total safety - the adventure that you can have without even leaving home - and leave us risk-takers somewhere REAL to walk.