Editorial; 28/4/08
The announcement by representatives of Papua New Guinea and Australia on the future of the Kokoda Track is already generating disagreement. There was a sense of relief when the environment ministers for PNG and Australia issued a joint declaration about the Kokoda Track, one that ensures the future of both the wartime icon and of the people who live nearby. Reports were carried in The National last week; suffice it to say that it has been agreed that there will be no mining exploration in the Owen Stanley ranges. The issue threatens to become controversial because an Australian mining company, Frontier Resources, has declared that any refusal by PNG to renew the exploration licence would be viewed as “expropriation” by the company. Frontier’s stance on the issue is predictable but deeply unfortunate.
See: http://www.thenational.com.pg/042808/lead_editorial.htm
Exactly where is the Track
Steve Marshall; 28/4/08
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.
See: http://www.thenational.com.pg/042808/wkender6.htm
Tags: Australia, Kokoda Track, Mining, PNG