 |
 |
|
||||
 |
||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||
|
Mining Kokoda | |
|
||
|
"Kokoda trekkers know that if Australians don't fight for the protection of our most important military symbol then thousands of ragged spirits clad in khaki and green will rise from their tombstones in Bomana and lonely unmarked graves along the track and shout 'what about our legacy you bastards?" The attempt by an Australian Mining Company, Frontier Resources, to mine part of the Kokoda Trail has created a great deal of discussion and tension within Australia and Papua New Guinea. Until recently Kokoda has been a neglected jungle shrine - ignored by successive Australian governments since the end of WW11 - click here to read: Kokoda - A Neglected Jungle Shrine. Federal Governments have been slow to grasp the significance of the Kokoda Trail and provide the necessary protection it warrants - click here to read some extracts of correspondence over the years. Prime Minister Paul Keating first focused our attention on the campaign when he kissed the ground at Kokoda on the 50th anniversary of the campaign in 1992. Ten years later, on the 60th anniversary, Prime Ministers' John Howard and Sir Michael Somare opened a solemn memorial at the Isurave battlesite. Since then there has been an awakening of the significance of the campaign by Australians from all walks of life in regard to Kokoda. Of those who have trekked it there is a profound sense of betrayal by our education system because they never learned much about it during their school years. But their awareness is enough for them to rise from their post-trek slumber and protest the desecration of such a sacred piece of ground. This ground is not measured in sections or metres or indefinable native tracks - it is measured in microscopic grains of our heritage. These trekkers know that if Australians don't fight for the protection of our most important military symbol then thousands of ragged spirits clad in khaki and green will rise from their tombstones in Bomana and lonely unmarked graves along the track and shout 'what about our legacy you bastards?' |
|
 |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Kokoda's Forgotten People | |
|
||
|
"Is it any wonder landowners, clan leaders and their representatives want to give us a one-fingered salute when all of a sudden we decide they should forgo a couple of million dollars of royalties just so our Australian political leaders can avoid an embarrassing headline?" An important element in the debate as to whether mining should be allowed on Kokoda are the forgotten people - the 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels' - who represent every Papua New Guinean that extended the hand of friendship to our Diggers during our most desperate hour of need. Some carried vital ammunition and food to the frontline for our troops; others carried dying diggers to safety at great personal cost over some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet; others guided small patrols to safety after they were cut off by the Japanese. Their women 'went bush' and cared for their children while imperial powers razed their villages. In a shameless act of neglect these selfless 'angels' have never been officially recognised by any Australian government since the end of the war. Sacred battlesites on customary land have been bypassed, ignored, and reclaimed by the creeping jungle canopy. They have never been issued with a medal from Australia. Some were never paid. If the 'sorry' juggernaut takes off it's next stop should be Papua New Guinea! Previous submissions were made to both the Keating and Howard governments but were rejected. The following papers contain the reasons why this issue should be addressed: . Proposal for a Medal to be issued to PNG WW11 Carriers, February 2004 . Letter to Prime Minister John Howard, 15 February 2004 But rather than award these 'selfless angels' a special status for their sacrifice Australia has declared them and their sons and daughters to be persona-non-grata!Although many face insurmountable problems providing for families and 'wan-toks' today our Federal Government will not allow them to come here to do seasonal work on our farms - even though struggling farmers cannot get help and often have to turn their crops back into the soil or let fruit rot in trees. Australia apparently has agreements with 36 countries for seasonal work - but refuses to establish one with our nearest neighbour, wartime ally, former mandated territory and fellow Commonwealth member nation - Papua New Guinea. It is an indictment that a young Papua New Guinean finds it easier to get temporary work in London than they do in Brisbane! Click on the following link to read our submission on this issue: . Senate Submission on Seasonal Labour from the Pacific Region The submission was obviously noted, duly filed and forgotten. Is it any wonder landowners, clan leaders and their representatives want to give us a one-fingered salute when all of a sudden we decide they should forgo a couple of million dollars of royalties just so our Australian political leaders can avoid an embarrassing headline? And is it any wonder a mining company can confidently stake a claim over part of an iconic area that Australia has ignored for the past 66 years? |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Frontier Resources P/L | |
|
||
|
"The recent closure of the track seems to have been an orchestrated stunt to either bully the PNG Government into granting a further exploration licence or to focus the minds of our new Federal Government on the issues. Either way it was not their finest moment." The proponents of the Mt Bini gold exploration project near the Kokoda Trail, Frontier Resources P/L (formerly TasGold), argue the initiative will bring millions of dollars in royalties to the landowners. A new road, an upgrade of their jungle airstrip, a new school, assistance with relocating their village (which the villagers relocated to the current site only 10 years ago) and bilum bags full of cash are powerful incentives for subsistence villagers who have been ignored by governments for decades. The company has adopted a rather belligerent strategy for obtaining approval to conduct mining operations in the vicinity of the Kokoda Trail. They have engaged in wedge politics with local landowner groups and have not yet disclosed the full impact of their operation on the integrity of the Kokoda Trail or on the local environment. Successive Australian governments must share a large share of the blame for the current situation because they have done nothing to assist with a proper management structure for the operation of the Kokoda Trail as a national memorial park thus far. The current management structure, the Kokoda Track Authority, was a PNG government initiative but it lacks the expertise to negotiate at the level required for such a major development. As a result the management of Frontier Resources chose to ignore them and deal directly with local landowners. The recent closure of the track seems to have been an orchestrated stunt to either bully the PNG Government into granting a further exploration licence or to focus the minds of our new Federal Government on the issues. Either way it was not their finest moment. The management of Frontier Resources should rethink their strategy if they wish to achieve their objectives with the proposed Mt Bini exploration project. This should include a plan to work with all stakeholders to ensure the historical, environmental and cultural integrity of the track is protected. They should note the concerns of Dr Allan Marat, Chairman of the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission in PNG, about the lack of environmental safeguards of foreign mining companies. In an article titled 'A Mining Genocide' published in the PNG National newspaper on 16 March 2007 he counseled foreign mining companies to 'treat Papua New Guineans as human beings, not animals'. Dr Marat was responding to a study titled 'Mining and Chemical Pollution of Indigenous PNG People' conducted by Dr Sylvester Kotapu. The study was commissioned by the Central Province Governor, Alphonse Moroi 'after his office received continuous reports of mysterious deaths and illnesses of his (Koiari) river people'. Most of the Kokoda Trail is located in Central Province. They should also respect the concerns most Australians would have over any proposal that might desecrate such an important icon as the Kokoda Trail. Stakeholders in Kokoda include the Australian and PNG governments, all village clans along the Kokoda Trail, veterans organisations, PNG tourism providers, trek operators and Australian/PNG citizens who have a desire to follow the footsteps of the brave across ground they consider to be sacred to our heritage, |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Killing Kokoda | |
|
||
|
'The next battle at Kokoda is over how to manage the track so that its historical, environmental and cultural significance is not lost, while providing a livelihood for its 14 subsistence villages, home to descendants of the 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels' who were so crucial to Australia's victory in 1942.' So wrote Gabrielle Chan (author of War on our Doorstep and Flickers of History) in The Bulletin on 23 August 2005. Her concerns were triggered by predictions that more than 3000 Australians were expected to trek Kokoda the following year (the actual figure was 3723 - an increase of more than 2000 per cent since 2001!) Whilst Chan expressed concern over the likely impact of the Mt Bini gold exploration project she was aware that a lack of proper management of the emerging eco-trekking industry posed a much greater threat to the historical, cultural and environmental integrity of the track. These concerns have been realised earlier than anticipated. Last year 5117 trekkers crossed Kokoda and this year 6000 are expected. The impact of this rapid increase has been addressed in the following paper published on 1 September 2007: . A Discussion Paper on the Kokoda Eco-Trekking Industry It is clear from the issues raised in the discussion paper the most important item to fix is the establishment of a proper management structure for the track. This structure must be funded by the Australian government for the next 3 - 5 years until it is economically sustainable, and until PNG citizens can be trained to assume full management control. This is now urgent. The 2008 trekking season will commence within 60 days - more than 6000 trekkers will trek Kokoda this year - this will generate around $15 million dollars into the PNG economy - and 10 tonnes of human crap on the track. There is not a single environmental toilet in place - or planned - to cater for this inevitable carpet bombing! Canberra can no longer avoid its responsibility on this issue. Somebody has to take a pen and write out a cheque for an interim management body post-haste. Part of the responsibilities of the interim management body would be to address the impact of the Mt Bini mine proposal on the Kokoda Trail. This should include the concerns expressed by Dr Allan Marat, Chairman of the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission in PNG in regard to the lack of environmental safeguards of foreign mining companies. Dr Marat counselled that they 'must treat Papua New Guineans as human beings, not animals' in an article titled 'A Mining Genocide' published in The National newspaper on 16 March 2007. Dr Marat referred to a study titled 'Mining and Chemical Pollution of Indigenous PNG People' conducted by Dr Sylvester Kotapu. The study was commissioned by the Central Province Governor, Alphonse Moroi 'after his office received continuous reports of mysterious deaths and illnesses of his (Koiari) river people'. Urgent action will save Kokoda and provide a model for the development of a sustainable eco-tourism industry in Papua New Guinea. Any further procrastination will surely kill it as trekkers, miners, landowners, clan leaders, do-gooders and carpetbaggers clash over the spoils of customary heritage land containing blood, bone and gold. |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Kokoda Research, Reports & Reviews | |
|
||
|
'It is therefore clear that there is no need for anybody to commission any further research, reports or reviews on what needs to be done to save Kokoda. These have all been done - all they need is an organisation with the authority and expertise to implement them.' Following is a summary of these reports - click on the headings to read the full report: . A Strategic Plan for Sustainable Tourism on the Kokoda Trail: 2003- 2006 The Strategic Plan was developed by Kelvin Templeton MBA of Templeton-Galt on a pro-bono basis. Kelvin has a keen interest in indigenous affairs and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. He was formerly CEO of the Sydney Swans for seven years where he established the club as one of the Australian Football League's major franchises. Kelvin provided the vision and intellectual leadership for the plan. He put together a team with experience in sustainable environmental practices in third world countries. This included Paul Chatterton of the World Wide Fund for Nature in PNG, Dr Stephen Wearing from the University of Technology Sydney and Colonel David Knaggs of Davendish Consulting. Separate workshops were conducted with all stakeholders in Sydney (trekkers), Port Moresby (PNG Government/community), Efogi village (Koiari) and Kokoda village (Orokaiva). The plan was funded by the Kokoda Track Foundation during my term as Chairman and presented to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in July 2006.It was also widely distributed to Australian Government Ministers. - Proposal to Produce a Development for the PNG Kokoda Track Authority by Paul Mitchell - March 2005 This report was commissioned by the PNG Sustainable Development Program and conducted by Mr Paul Mitchell who specialises in natural resource management and enterprise development in a cross cultural context. Mitchell has 20 years experience in rural resource management, including twelve years providing support to indigenous communities within Australia and internationally. He led a team that provided strategic governance and management support to Aboriginal pastoral enterprises that grossed $5.93 million in the four years to June 1998. He has co-ordinated, developed and delivered training in corporate governance, resource and enterprise management, and community based land use planning. Paul has developed and published participatory approaches to economic feasibility analysis. He co-edited 'Planning for Country: cross cultural approaches to decision making on Aboriginal lands', which recently won the Planning Institute of Australia 2005 national award for excellence in scholarship, research and training. Paul has tertiary and postgrad. qualifications in Agricultural Science and Environmental Science. Mitchell reported that the Kokoda Track Special Purposes Authority (KTA) was established in 2003 to promote the legacy of the Kokoda track, to develop sustainable tourism and benefits to landholders, and to manage the administrative and logistic issues surrounding tourism on the track. Despite substantial evidence of long term sustainable benefits to be derived from the proposed activities of the KTA, currently the KTA is critically under resourced to develop infrastructure and management processes to meet current tourist demand. Key needs prior to the heavy tourist influx during April 2006 include improved 'on track' ablution facilities, coordinated camp ground booking systems, and streamlined fee collection processes. Pressure to deal with these issues has meant that KTA is yet to develop adequate internal governance processes, a strategic management program and cash flow analysis, or effective systems to disseminate information to communities. No action was taken on Mitchell's report. . Management Options for the Kokoda Track - March 2007 As a result of the lack of action the Kokoda Track Authority was not able to cope with the pressures resulting from the rapid increase in trekker numbers. A second report was commissioned by the PNG Sustainable Development Program who appointed Paul Mitchell to address a number of management models and options for the PNG Kokoda Track Authority. Mitchell concluded that regardless of which management structure was preferred, a number of strategies must be undertaken to improve efficiency, including: . Develop strategic direction through stakeholder consultation; . Develop and document internal management systems; . Improve management of Community Development Projects; . Clarify responsibility for infrastructure development; and . Effective and regular community awareness patrols. Mitchell warned that whichever management structure is preferred, professional legal advice must be sought on whether KTA can enter into the proposed relationships with a private body, and by what processes and instruments this can be done. There is also a need to liaise with stakeholders to agree on a preferred management body, a process to initiate it, and the ongoing working relationships between that body and other stakeholders. No action has been taken on this report. . Kokoda Sustainable Development Plan Scoping Study - September 2007 The scoping study was initiated by Mr Peter Vincent of PNG Tourism to assess the need and level of support for the development and implementation of a Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) for the Kokoda Track (‘the Track’). The Pacific Enterprise Partnership - Pacific (PEP-Pacific) commissioned the study to assess the need and level of support for the development and implementation of a Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) for the Kokoda Track (‘the Track’). It was prepared by Mr Ross Hopkins of TRIP Consultants. The report acknowledged that the major document regarding the future development of the track was the strategic plan developed by Templeton-Galt. According to the author the Templeton-Galt strategy provides a sound starting point for supporting the development of trekking along the Track. He also acknowledged that the strategy indicated a need to further address the planning and management of the Track through the development of a number of additional components including an Interpretive and Commemorative Management Plan, an Environmental Protection and Management Plan, a comprehensive Plan for Social and Health Services, a broader Economic Development Plan which supports village based industries and a Track Tourism Marketing Plan. The scoping study concluded that whilst there appears to be support for taking a longer term approach to the sustainable development of the Track amongst the vast majority of stakeholders, a vehicle needs to be established to allow closer dialogue and coordination, in the development of the Plan and its implementation. It is also evident that the development of an SDP in itself will not ensure the future sustainability of the Track. A broader program of support including capacity building in track management and conservation, together with community based income generation is required to ensure sustainability. This requires a long term commitment to implementation not just development of the Plan. . Discussion Paper on a Review of The Kokoda Track Authority - November 2007 This discussion paper prepared by the CEO of the Kokoda Track Authority, Mr Warren Bartletll provides ideas for the restructure of Kokoda Track Authority into an organization that will hopefully allow the spirit of the Kokoda Track to develop as a sustainable tourism destination following proper procedures with the necessary funding and administrative structure. The paper provides background to the incorporation of the Kokoda Track Authority and the current constraints against its effectiveness. It appears there has been extensive corruption within the Board of the Kokoda Track Authority and large amounts of money has been fraudently obtained or embezzled. A number of serious matters have been passed to the PNG Fraud and Anti-Corruption Squad of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary for investigation. It seems that trek fee income which should be allocated to village projects that deliver shared benefits to local people is being illegally diverted to benefit individuals residing in Port Moresby. Such practices cause anger amongst local villagers who will naturally accept benefits from forestry or mining companies if they are offered. It is therefore clear that there is no need for anybody to commission any further research, reports or reviews on what needs to be done to save Kokoda. These have all been done - all they need is an organisation with the proper authority and expertise to implement them! |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Saving Kokoda - The Action Step | |
|
||
|
"If the Australian government is serious about its concern to protect the integrity of the Kokoda Trail it must immediately engage the services of Templeton-Galt to put an interim management team in place for the 2008 trekking season.
This should be a partnership arrangement with the PNG Government but fully funded by Australia." The 'trekking season' for Kokoda coincides with Anzac Day (towards the end of the 'wet' season and winds up in November (towards the end of the 'dry' season). There are approximately 40 working days between the publication of this niusleta and the time the first trekkers will step off the track in mid-April. While Noah might have been able to build an arc in this timeframe it will be nigh on impossible to have an effective management team in place due to the following circumstances: .The terms of the current Board of the PNG Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) have expired and no action has been taken to replace them. . The CEO of the KTA has closed the office because they have no funds. He has also advised that he will not take up the position this year because he does not have any qualified staff and there are no plans to provide any. . There is no system to collect and account for trekking fees or issue trek permits. . There is no campsite booking system in place. . There has been no liaison with landowners, campsite owners or clan leaders. . etc. etc. etc. There is an urgent need to convene at least two workshops along the track (one in Central Province and one in Oro Province) to re-establish dialoge with the landowners and clan leaders. Urgent dialogue also needs to be established between the landowners in the Mt Bini mining area, Frontier Resource, the departments of Tourism, Mining and Conservation and the Central Provincial Government. Templeton-Galt is the only organisation with the expertise to commence this process before the commencement of the 2008 trekking season. If the Australian government is serious about its concern to protect the integrity of the Kokoda Trail it must immediately engage the services of Templeton-Galt to put an interim management team in place. This should be a partnership arrangement with the PNG Government but fully funded by Australia. Click here to review the company profile of Templeton-Galt. The management team should have blend of people with experience in Melanesian culture, military history, environmental science and agriculture. Most importantly they must have extensive experience within PNG. The management team should include PNG management trainees who would be expected to assume full control of the operation within a period of five years. The following should be considered because of their qualifications, experience and availability: Kelvin Templeton MBA Kelvin is currently the Chairman of the Australian Business Group in Abu Dhabi, an organisation established by the Australian Embassy to foster and promote trade between Australia and the United Arab Republics. He has kept informed of the progress of the Strategic Plan he developed and has expressed a desire to take it oversee its progress to the next level i.e. achieving a world heritage listing for the area. Kelvin would articulate the vision, develop objectives and provide the intellectual leadership for the management team. Colonel David Knaggs BSc David Knaggs is a former career army officer who served with the Pacific Islands Regiment in PNG during his 25 years service. David has degrees in Science, Management and Information Technology and is a graduate of the Australian Army Command and Staff College. He has over decade's experience as a senior manager with multi-national IT companies engaged in the development, implementation and support of business and information technology solutions for a large and diverse client base. David is currently an Expert Consultant to the World Health Organisation (Western Pacific Regional Office), focused on regional containment strategies for a potential avian influenza pandemic. David was engaged by Kelvin Templeton to facilitate workshops, co-ordinate the development of the Strategic Plan and write the final report. He has trekked Kokoda and remains closely associated through his attendance at the Prime Ministers Interdepartmental Committee on Kokoda. Commander Simon Hart BSc Simon served in the Australian Navy and carved out an outstanding career spanning 33 years. He specialised in maritime surface ship operations and spent the majority of his career at sea. Simon was appointed to command two of Australia's frontline battleships - HMAS Hobart and HMAS Brisbane. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding Leadership and Management as a result of these two command appointments. Simon was later promoted into positions serving in senior tri-service and Maritime Operational Headquarter staff positions during the Timor and Bougainville Operations. His last occupation in the Service was as the Commander, Surface Combat Force Element Group based out of Sydney. Simon has conducted corporate leadership treks across Kokoda and is familiar with the issues impacting on the track and the local communities along it. Lieutenant Colonel Rowan Tracey BA Rowan is a graduate of the Royal Military College at Duntroon. During his 20 years professional service he specialised in armoured warfare then trained in logistics and procurement. He had command responsibilities for the largest logistics unit in Australia, with 1,200 employees. Rowan was seconded to Papua New Guinea Defence Force in Port Moresby in 1983-84. During this assignment he had CEO responsibilities for the expenditure of the Defence budget, excluding human resources and capital procurement. The workplace was staffed by mainly Papua New Guinea nationals and a large part of his role involved on the job training and improving their skills. He is fluent in Melanesian Pidgin and his work involved travel to many parts of Papua New Guinea, including Manus Island, Vanimo, Wewak, Madang, Lae, Mt Hagen, Goroka and the Trobriand Islands. Rowan trekked Kokoda during his assignment to PNG in 1983 and led a group across last year. He was shocked at the degradation of the track since he first trekked it. Sandy Lawson MSc, Dip Agric Sandy has extensive experience in Melanesia having worked in Papua New Guinea on research and development and cash crop development at the village level during the period 1965 - 1972. He later worked for the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Forestry in Vanuatu during the period 1986 - 2000 and returned to Papua New Guinea to work for Koiari Holdings from 2001 - 2003. Sandy is fluent in Tok Pisin and Motu and his past experience in developing village agricultural programs, clean water supplies, local schools and health centres would be invaluable for any interim management body. Click below to read an overview of Sandy's proposal: . Executive Summary of Kokoda Project by Sandy Lawson Templeton-Galt would enlist other experts such as Dr Stephen Wearing from the University of Technology Sydney and representatives from the World Wide Fund for Nature in Papua New Guinea as required. Warren Bartlett, CEO of the Kokoda Track Authority would advise the interim management team of the most appropriate representative structure from village communities and local, provincial and national government bodies. It is now up to the Australian Government to take the action step and agree to immediately fund an interim management organisation in consultation with Templeton-Galt, Warren Bartlett and PNG Tourism.  Charlie Lynn Adventure Kokoda PO Box 303 Camden NSW 2570 0439 303 303 charlie@kokdoatreks.com.au www.kokodatreks.com  |
|
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||