Australia and PNG sign Kokoda
preservation pact
- Australia - PNG - Papua New Guinea
- Australian Army - World War 2 - Kokoda
Track - Soldiers - Diggers -
Australia has signed an
agreement with Papua New Guinea to allow
sustainable development of communities
along the Kokoda Track.
Federal Environment and Heritage
Minister Peter Garrett says the two
countries have agreed to preserve the
historic values of the track and the
trekking experience.
The Federal Government is providing
almost $15 million to the PNG Government
to help with the management arrangements
of the track and to improve the
livelihoods of local communities.
The money will also be used to fund a
feasibility study into a World Heritage
nomination.
An Australian National University
academic is calling for a unified
organisation to help oversee the track's
future in Papua New Guinea.
Historian Hank Nelson says the track is
at risk from nearby landholders wanting
to clear forest for logging and set up
an open-cut mine.
Dr Nelson says the strong interest from
tourists is also posing a threat to the
track's stability.
He says the Australian Government could
play mediator to set up an authority,
but it needs the cooperation of locals.
Kokoda deal doesn't ban mining:
Smith
Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen
Smith says a deal to protect the Kokoda
Track does not directly ban mining along
the path.
The Australian and Papua New Guinea
Governments have signed an agreement to
improve basic services for communities
living near the historic track.
Mr Smith says the deal will also secure
the track's place in history.
But he says any future decision on
mining lies with PNG.
"One of the issues that they have to
give consideration to is whatever impact
it potentially might have on the water
catchment," he said.
"The area that we're talking about, in
the future, is going to play a very
important role for Port Moresby's water
and water catchment areas, so that'll be
a matter for the PNG Government.
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