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KOKODA TRAIL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Kokoda Trail is the most important trekking attraction in Papua New Guinea and has the potential of being as significant a regional destination and economic magnet as Milford Sound in New Zealand and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. The National Government in line with its Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS 2005 – 2010) emphasizing economic investment and the potential for Kokoda Trail to become an iconic trekking destination in Papua New Guinea, committed K3.4 million under Phase two of the Kokoda Trail Development Project (KTDP). The money will be made available to the National Cultural Commission, a spread over four years as the coordinating body of this project. Pursuant to the MTDS, the KTDP Committee’s work programmes for 2006/2007 focus on improving trekking facilities which also include: stakeholder consultation, documentation and cost updates, community contribution and land use agreement, procurement and implementation arrangements. Sub-projects that have been undertaken in 2006 are now in progress. They include Engineering Report by Cardno ACIL (formerly Cardno Willing) consulting engineers on the proposed upgrade of the Kokoda Airstrip for Dash 8 usage. This report was completed and delivered to NCC/KTDP Committee. Preliminary design of camping ground facilities comprising cook house, shower and laundry block, camp shelter and vented pit latrines, including reticulated water supply and appropriate rubbish disposal pits. Final documentation/design was completed and is ready for implementation. Awareness patrol was carried out by NCC, KTA, and PNGTPA with communities on sub-projects and assessment of material requirements for certain projects. Most projects would be constructed using Rotary voluntary work teams and local community labour. Materials transport and supervision would be funded by KTDP. From such awareness patrols, the following projects were determined to be implemented in 2006/7. Kokoda Airstrip, Kokoda Police Station, Kovelo and Hoi villages Water Supplies, Trekking Camp Ground Facilities, Suspension Footbridges, Australian Project Co-coordinator, and Police Posts. The PNG Government had spent some K570,000 for phase one between 1996 and 2002. The money was used in setting up bench marks, scoping and compiling engineering reports on the KTDP sub-projects and assistance with the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay at the Ower’s Corner and Depo sites. From these funding sources, the following aspects of the KTDP were implemented; engaged a team of architects to design building sub-projects, water supply sub-projects, sub-contract the feasibility studies of a promotional film and manage the procurement of additional consultancy services and construction materials; commissioned an engineering firm to carry-out geo-tech survey work and design/scopes of works for the footbridge and airfield sub-projects; organized the delivery of VHF radio sets to key locations along the Kokoda Trail and initial payment of licence fee to Pangtel for usage of Mt. Pala Repeater Station. Engaged PNG National Mapping Bureau to draw up the latest map of the Kokoda Trail indicating sub-project sites. Sponsored the implementation of the first sub-project, the construction of a double classroom by Rotary in Manari village, Central Province. The KTDP was established by the National Executive Council in 1994 following an agreement between the Prime Ministers of PNG and Australia (Wingti and Keating) in 1993 to establish a lasting memorial to the Papua New Guineans and Australians who fought and died during the Second World War on the Trail and in the Buna, Gona and Sanananda area of the Oro Province. On that decision, the NCC was directed to chair the KTDP Committee, co-ordinate and manage funds appropriated under this programme by the PNG Government under the MOU between the two governments. The objective of the KTDP is to improve services and facilities to the people living in the remote areas along the Kokoda Trail and related areas of Gona, Sanananda and Buna areas of Oro province. The memorial was to consist of equivalent contributions in Australian Dollars and PNG Kina towards construction of small scale infrastructure sub-projects for the communities along the trail and adjoining areas of Oro and Central Provinces. This was to include Health, Education and other Community infrastructure, including assistance for the development of tourism and supportive facilities to help provide income earning opportunities for the local communities concerned. Funding for this project by the PNG Government under phase one of the project was substantially below the level originally approved, and implementation was slow. However, phase two of this now aims to implement the bulk of the outstanding components, with facilities having already been designed in detail in phase one. The Australian Government however, had contributed well over K5million, which had been spend on the Kokoda Memorial Hospital, Trekkers Guest House, an airstrip shelter, Museum Library at Kokoda Primary and Elementary Schools, aid-posts at Kagi and a double classroom at Efogi. These were built largely by the Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS) and other volunteers from Australia. The hospital and the other facilities in Kokoda Town were opened by Prime Ministers Paul Keating of Australia and Sir Julius Chan of PNG in 1995. The contact persons for the Applicant and the two supporting
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