IN partnership with the Oro Provincial Government, the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) has launched a new Site Management Plan for the Kokoda Plateau Memorial Park.
The Kokoda Plateau Site Management Plan is the first of a series planned for significant sites across the Kokoda Track, to better document each site and ensure sustainable use while preserving each site’s unique military heritage, archaeological potential and environmental values.
These plans include provisions for archaeological and environmental preservation and management, military heritage management, trekking and other tourism infrastructure, new interpretation (signage etc.) and commemoration.
The Plan was launched at Kokoda on Sunday, November 3rd as part of a local commemoration ceremony honouring Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel Day (PNG) / Kokoda Day (Australia), the 82nd anniversary of the retaking of Kokoda by Australian and Papuan troops during World War II.
A Deed of Agreement was signed by: NMAG Board of Trustees President Terence Moka, Governor Gary Juffa representing the Oro provincial government, and Member for Sohe Open Hon. Henry Amuli representing the local community.
Each party agreed to work together in close partnership with the local community to preserve the site and manage its heritage values.
The signing ceremony was attended by Kokoda District officers, local PNGDF veterans, a representative of the Australian High Commission, an Australian tour group and large numbers of people from local community who provided a traditional welcome to the visiting dignitaries.
All three signatories stressed the importance of protecting and developing Kokoda Track history and heritage.
“The Kokoda Track is an important touchstone for our nation’s war history and heritage, closely shared with Australia, and an invaluable tourism asset which needs looking after,” said NMAG Board President Moka.
“These management plans will ensure a strong partnership between the National Museum, the Provincial governments and local communities towards protecting and promoting this shared heritage for generations to come.”
While other sites lie on customary land, with local community landowners the main partners for NMAG on heritage management, the Kokoda site lies on state land, making the provincial government the legal ‘landowner’.
However, Governor Juffa acknowledged the traditional resource custodians who help look after the site.
As part of the Site Management Plan, Governor Juffa announced plans for a new memorial at Kokoda commemorating the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB), composed of Papua New Guineans who fought alongside Australian forces on the Kokoda Track and elsewhere.
Beyond the PIB memorial, other highlights of the Kokoda Plan include: new interpretive signage at the entrance to memorial complex, telling a concise the story of the place – its history and what’s there today; explore prospects for a ‘peace garden’ on the Plateau, including a hauswin-style sheltered reflection area; refurbishment of existing four memorials; maintenance and repair Kokoda Track Archway at the northern terminus of the Track; and further historical and archaeological research on the undeveloped area north of memorials and Museum, and surrounding slopes.
The new Site Management Plans are part of the NMAG’s Kokoda Track Military Heritage Management Plan, aimed at providing greater community benefits and enhancing the trekking experience by improving preservation, management and access to the region’s military and cultural heritage.
The PNG National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) is a primary partner agency of the Kokoda Initiative (KI), along with the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA), Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA), Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) and Department of Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs (DPLGA).
The Australian government closely supports the Kokoda Initiative through the Kokoda Initiative Partnership (KIP).
