The Kokoda Track Reopens After Years of Closure

The Kokoda Track, one of Papua New Guinea’s most famous tourist attractions, has reopened its doors after being shut down by landowners over a payment dispute. The 96-kilometer-long track runs from near Port Moresby to Kokoda Village, spanning the Owen Stanley Ranges.

A Legacy Born of War

The Kokoda Track gained international recognition during World War II when Australian troops clashed with Japanese soldiers along its length throughout much of 1942. The area became a site of immense sacrifice and bravery as both sides fought for control of the strategic location.

The track was initially opened after the war, becoming a popular trekking route that attracted mostly Australians who followed in the footsteps of the soldiers under far more perilous conditions.

A Dispute Over Land Ownership

In an earlier development, the Mt Kodu landowners forced the closure of the track due to non-payment for turning down a gold mine development on their land. Any such project would have had a significant impact on the track’s environment.

It was discovered that Oro Province is part of this 96-kilometer-long track, running from near Port Moresby to Kokoda Village.

A Commitment to Compensation

Oro Province Governor Gary Juffa expressed his commitment to honour a payment agreement made by the government in 2014. The landowners were promised K50 million, of which two instalments of K5m each had already been paid out. However, the remaining balance was not met and has been awaiting payment for years.

“Our government has made a commitment to pay the Kodu landowners the amount of money we had committed to pay them at the time,” he said.

The Reopening: A Step Towards Redress

Governor Juffa reiterated that the payment will be distributed in instalments through a specially set-up body, ensuring that it reaches the community as they have requested. He also highlighted the impact on other communities along the route who struggle with maintaining infrastructure such as roads and medical clinics due to their location since 1945.

He said at the end of WW2, “in Australia and PNG, for instance, people went about their lives, but the people living along the Kokoda Trail have been forced to live the way they are since 1945, so continuously making a sacrifice.”

A Call to Action

Governor Juffa urged governments of both Papua New Guinea and Australia to look into how they can support these communities. He also mentioned that Canberra has maintained an arrangement to aid them but only the Marape government stepped up.

He said there are other communities along the route who suffer due to being required to maintain areas in a state similar to what it was in 1940s.

The Final Payment

The remaining balance of K$90 million will be paid out to the landowners, bringing closure to a long-standing dispute.

Conclusion

After years of closure, Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track has reopened its doors once again. The track gained fame during World War II and later became a popular trekking route for Australians. However, a payment dispute between the government and local landowners led to its closure in recent times. The reopening signifies a new chapter towards compensation and recognition of past sacrifices made by those living along this historic path.