Australia to give Kokoda villagers new river crossings

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THE Australian Government is supporting people living along the Kokoda Track by the building of crossings over two creeks.
The crossings are at the Emuni Creek near Manari village and Eora Creek next to the campsite.
Manari villager Rita Sori, who assisted with the work, said the Kokoda Track was not only an important link for people travelling between the villages and the towns of Popondetta and Port Moresby, but was also a major source of income for the trekking industry which they were part of.
“We rely on the track for money,” Sori said.
“Our husbands and sons work as porters and guides for tourists coming in, so keeping the track safe is not only important to the trekkers, but to us as well.
“If the track is safe and open, it means more tourists can come and provide more income for us.”
The projects are part of regeneration and conservation programme supported by the Kokoda Initiative, a partnership between the PNG and Australian governments to protect the track and surrounding areas.
Seven such projects were conducted and funded under this initiative since March 2017.
They include the building of bridges, steps and the repairing of safety fences.