Commitment renewed to make track safe

THE Kokoda Track Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) renewed a commitment to ensure the 96km track is accessible and safe for villagers and trekkers.
KTA’s acting chief executive officer Julius Wargirai said the partnership was initiated in 2017 to share skills and experiences between Papua New Guinean and Australian rangers.
“PNG and Australia share many common challenges in conserving and managing protected areas and forests, while also balancing the needs of tourists and local people,” he said.
Two experienced QPWS staff start work with the KTA last month to maintain and repair the track in readiness for the 2020 trekking season from April to November.
They will work with the authority to strengthen systems and processes to support tourism management, redesign the ranger structure and assess field operations.
QPWS will also design a training programme tailored to the Kokoda context and the specific needs of the KTA rangers.
Earlier this year, Wargirai inspected a number of washed away bridge crossings with David Fuller from QPWS and representatives from the Australian government-supported Kokoda initiative.
Wargirai said the assessment found significant impacts to track conditions following the wet season.
“The Kokoda Track is PNG’s top tourist attraction, but each year the wet season causes damage, with trees down, grass over-grown and footbridges washed away.
“KTA rangers will work with Queensland National Parks rangers to complete repair work before the trekking season begins,” Wargirai said.
Fuller said the QPWS was excited to continue its partnership with the authority to strengthen tourism and trekking, and to protect the natural and cultural values of the Kokoda Track region.