Kokoda Transport Study

Under the Joint Understanding on the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Ranges, the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia are working together to improve access to markets and services for communities along the Kokoda Track Corridor.

In mid-2009, the PNG and Australian governments undertook a Kokoda Transport Study to identify key transport needs in the region. The study team consulted with community members, service providers, trek operators, PNG National and Provincial Government officials and non-government organisations.

The recommendations of the Transport Study considered transport needs of communities and industry, costs, technical issues and the long-term sustainability of possible actions.

Stakeholder needs

Transport needs identified by Track communities included: general mobility, access to secondary health and higher education services, easier access to markets to sell produce, and safer walking access between villages and across creeks.
Health and education service providers' needs included: access for supervisory visits from provincial centres, village-based health and education staff travel to provincial centres, and regular re-supply of aid post kits and education materials to communities.
Tourism industry needs focused on safer and more reliable access to the Kokoda Track via Owers Corner and the Kokoda Airstrip.

Kokoda Track Safety Package

On 5 September, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts and the PNG Minister for Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Charles Abel, announced AUD$1.8 million for the first phase of the Kokoda Track Safety Package. A second phase of major works will be informed by technical studies and funded jointly by the PNG and Australian governments. The Safety Package funding will be used to support many of the transport study recommendations.

Kokoda Track safety boost - media release, 5 September 2009

Subsidised flights

A subsidised air transport service to four centrally located villages along the Kokoda Track (Efogi, Kagi, Manari, Milei) commenced in July 2009. The idea for the flight subsidy program came from consultations with people living in the villages along the Track. It is an important step to improve access to health and education services and markets in Port Moresby with the aim to help stimulate community and economic development and increase tourism opportunities along the Track. The service is being run for an initial 12-month trial period.

More information is available at on the AusAID website .

Highest priorities	Action
Kokoda Track undertake condition/erosion analysis	Kokoda Track Authority completed a analysis in July 2009 and is finalising their report
Kokoda Station Airstrip undertake safety audit, provide safety equipment, support short term maintenance and provide equipment improve terminal building	To be implemented under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 1
Kokoda Station Airstrip arrangement and funding for longer term maintenance and equipment	To be considered under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 2
Central village airstrips undertake safety audits and provide safety and maintenance equipment complete airstrip terminal buildings	To be implemented under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 1
Subsidised flight program establish trial subsidised flights to centrally located villages	A 12-month trial of subsidised weekly flights to four villages (Efogi, Manari, Kagi, Milei) commenced on 10 July 2009
Kokoda Station Road construction of serviceable route from airstrip to health centre construction of additional reinforcing and earth works for Madi Creek levy bank	To be considered under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 2
Depo to Owers Corner Road undertake urgent repair and short-term maintenance	To be implemented under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 1
Depo to Owers Corner Road establish long-term maintenance mechanism upgrade to all-weather gravel	To be considered under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 2
Sogeri Road Bridge upgrade	To be implemented under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 1
Communications improve radio communications including second channel for emergencies, equipment and training	To be implemented under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 1
Footbridges Build footbridges at key community and trekking crossing points	Pilot bridge to be built under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 1, with up to five more bridges scheduled for construction under Kokoda Track Safety Package - Phase 2

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