Exactly where is the Track
By STEVE MARSHALL
THIS time two years ago I presented a documentary on the Kokoda Track for the ABC’s Foreign Correspondent Program. Given the tracks surge in popularity with Australian tourists, I posed the question as to whether the track was in danger of being loved to death.
Back then villagers were gearing up for a new season that would see close to 4000 people pass along the WW2 trail. This year more than 6000 will set out on the week long walk with a staggering 800 timing their pilgrimage with ANZAC day.
The increase in traffic is placing the track under incredible pressure and stirs up fears about its long term sustainability.
At the time of writing, a Kokoda Track task force is preparing to table a report at the Ministerial Forum that was held in Madang earlier this week.
What the task force proposed will have been widely reported and talked about by now.
Pulling the task force strings is former Australian diplomat Sandy Hollway. Mr Hollway was also the Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Olympics organising committee.
With the debate raging over what’s good for the track and the villagers who live along it, the Australian government called upon Mr Hollway to find a sustainable solution.
Two weeks ago, Mr Hollway was joined by bureaucrats and Kokoda trekking operators in Canberra where they held frank discussions behind closed doors.
Some trekking operators suggested the PNG government should put in place a moratorium on minerals exploration along the track.
First of all, trekking operators need to establish exactly what they want protected.
According to one of the tracks most respected historians Soc Kienzle, the path trekkers walk today is not necessarily the exact route the diggers used to repel the Japanese.
Mr Kienzle revealed this on the ABC’s Foreign Correspondent program last month. He pointed out that the short route that takes trekkers past the proposed mine site today was not used during the war and did not see any action.
Mr Kienzle also knows of several other stretches along the 96 kilometre track where trekking operators have mistakenly led their clients up the garden path in terms of historical importance.
Following the ABC program, Soc Kienzle, whose father Captain Bert Kienzle mapped the original route for the diggers, was recruited by Sandy Hollway as an advisor.
What took place where sixty odd years ago must be established before officials embark on their world heritage plans for the track.
While trekking operators might be left a little red faced at Soc Kienzles’ revelations, they might prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Kokoda Track.
Those paths that branch off the old postal route that were also used by the Diggers and the Japanese can alleviate some of the pressure the current track is experiencing.
In saying this trekking company egos might have to be left at the door in order to work as a team and establish and agree on the new routes of historic importance.

*Steve Marshall has been the Australian Broadcasting Corporations PNG Correspondent based in Port Moresby since 2005.
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