Aussie envoy visits Kokoda road upgrade

Papua New Guinean villagers are benefiting from infrastructure improvements near the
Kokoda Track through Australian-funded work on the road to historic Owers Corner.
Australia's Special Envoy on Kokoda Sandy Hollway and local representatives on
Thursday visited Kokoda's southern end where each year thousands of Australians
start or end the rugged 96km trek.
Championing the new "Kokoda Alliance" between Australia and PNG, Mr Hollway told
reporters he was pleased with the upgrade of such a vital road and the construction
of small bridges.
"It's not just a project to bring people to or from Owers Corner, it is important to
industry ... but just as much this road improvement helps local people getting to
and from Port Moresby," he said.
"We have a joint understanding between Australia and PNG which governs the work we
do in relation to the Kokoda Track. That arrangement expires this year and we must
ensure this momentum keeps going," he said.
In 2008 Australia committed $14.9 million to preserve the historical value and
improve socio-economic factors for locals while the PNG government has allocated 21
million kina (A$8.12 million)
In September last year, following a plane crash that killed 13 people, including
nine Australians en route to Kokoda, the Australian government contributed $1.8
million to address safety issues, including airstrips, nearby roads and bridges.
"The two governments are working together with local communities and the trekking
industry to ensure that the Kokoda Track is as safe as possible," Mr Hollway said.
Kokoda Track Authority chairman James Enage said landowners and communities
appreciated that the work helped improve health and education.
"The locals take garden produce to sell at the market, previously they had to walk
or not go, the road improvement definitely helped the locals," he said.