The James Enage Kokoda Management Conundrum

James Enage was the victim of a ‘hospital pass’ by Canberra environment officials who had comprehensively failed to establish a functional management system for the Kokoda Trail from the time they took control of it in 2009 until they handed him the poisoned chalice in 2012. During this time they had spent millions of taxpayer dollars on failed systems and projects.

The image above depicts the number of screaming voices representing more than 100 landowners, almost 80 Kokoda tour operators ; the demands of Provincial and Local Level Government officials all seeking advantage from him along with Australian aid-funded officials patronising him to seek support for their various ideological agendas.

The process leading to the engagement of James Enage as ‘Designate CEO’ of the PNG Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) should act as a case study for Canberra officials seeking an empathetic understanding of the ‘Melanesian Way’ in our Pacific neighbourhood.

The most effective way of seeking this understanding is to risk your own money doing business with them in PNG and to live among them.

You don’t get this from living and working in gated compounds on secure salaries.

For those living and working in these environments it’s important to have dialogue with Australians who live, work and do business in the wider PNG community beyond the nation’s capital.

Prior to the 50^th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign in 1992 there was no interest in the Kokoda Trail or its people. The Australian High Commission used to refer to the road to Owers Corner as the ‘road to nowhere’.

Villages across the Trail lived a subsistence lifestyle and were sustained by a thrice-weekly ‘milk-run’ by MBA Airlines to get there goods to markets in Port Moresby and Kokoda.

The rapid growth in trekking from the late 1990s led to a financial windfall which saw some of the more influential local entrepreneurs relocating to Port Moresby to seek their share of aid-funded opportunities. They emerged as key influencers in the conduct of various meetings, workshops and forums where they were paid ‘allowances’ to participate.

Those who remained in villages were the ‘forgotten people’ as ‘village-based workshops’ were not on the agenda for the new arrivals from Canberra.

The problems relating to the management of pilgrimage tourism across the Kokoda Trail originated with the recruitment of James Engage as the PNG ‘CEO Designate’ by Rod Hillman in 2009.

Hillman had been appointed CEO of the KTA by the Department of Environment in Canberra. After he settled into Port Moresby he was advised he would have to appoint a local ‘CEO designate’ to qualify for a work permit.

Hillman had no previous experience in PNG and no understanding of the pervading influences of the ‘wan tok’ system.

Rather than engage a recruitment agency to find a suitably qualified manager Hillman made a ‘captain’s pick’ and selected James Enage, an affable and intelligent official who worked in the Prime Minister’s Department. Enage had an Arts Degree from UPNG and was a landowner from Efogi. However, he had no qualifications or previous experience in business management, military heritage, pilgrimage tourism or trekking.

Our attempts to engage Enage on numerous occasions about improving the management of the Trail were unsuccessful as it was clear he was never going to ‘rock his paymasters boat’!

Enage was then carefully groomed by Canberra who sponsored him, and sometimes his wife and children, on numerous trips to Canberra, Sydney, and indigenous National Parks in NT/Qld where he was given a podium and VIP status.

Enage was soon influenced by Hillman’s bureaucratic management style based on committee meetings, forums, glossy newsletters and seeking ‘consensus’ among a growing band of opportunistic tour operators, landowners, and local government officials seeking to cash in on the popularity of trekking across the Kokoda Trail.

Hillman never trekked across the Trail until the end of his tenure. He had no idea of the reality of conducting treks across it, the emotional impact of the pilgrimage on his paying customers, or the local needs of village communities.

His use of ‘forums’ to seek consensus for his agenda among 80 tour operators was straight out of the ‘Yes Ministers’ palybook. No votes were ever taken and their version of the discussions were published as a ‘fait accompli‘. It’s a matter of record that there are no known outcomes from any of them.

Hillman’s legacy for Enage after his three year tenure was the development of a ‘KTA Strategic Plan: 2012-2015’

It is instructive that by the conclusion of Enage’s tenure in 2018 not one of the five ‘Key Strategies’ or 33 ‘objectives’ were achieved!

This is due to the fact that Hillman did not introduce a single management system for the management of the Kokoda Trail during his tenure. There was no ‘Campsite Development Plan’; no ‘Campsite Booking System’; no ‘Trek Itinerary Management Plan’; no ‘Trail Maintenance Plan’; no ‘Environmental Interpretation Plan’; no ‘Military Heritage Master Plan’; no ‘Tour Operator Management Plan’, etc.

There was also no coping mechanism for Enage to deal with the daily pressures of more than 100 landowners across the Trail; numerous local Ward councillors on the make for cash handouts under a system introduced by Hillman; up to 80 Kokoda tour operators seeking some form of advantage; patronising Australian bureaucrats; and a Board of Directors who knew nothing about pilgrimage tourism and had a poor grasp of governance.

However, whilst Enage did not have any qualifications or experience in management, financial accounting, pilgrimage tourism, military heritage, or trekking he was smart enough to realise he was ‘untouchable’ in his new role as CEO.

It was also obvious that the DFAT Strategic Advisor, Mark Nizette, had lost control of their protégé – and both had lost control of the management of pilgrimage tourism across the Kokoda Trail.

In 2014 Enage was summoned to a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner, Deborah Stokes, over a management/accounting discrepancy in the KTA. Stokes also knew little about the Melanesian Way which reportedly led to her premature reassignment back to Australia after just two years in the job.

Mark Nizette was present at the meeting where Ms Stokes gave Enage a dressing down. This is a humiliating experience a PNG male under their Koiari patriarchal system.

Enage expected Nizette to defend him, but he remained silent.

Enage then declared Nizette person non-grata in his KTA office. He later leaked Nizette’s Kokoda Initiative Master Plan to demonstrate the contempt the authoris had for him and his village communities. He advised that landowners had not been consulted in their villages and did not accept it. Enage was correct in this regard – all the meetings leading to the development off the Kokoda Initiative Master Plan had been conducted in Port Moresby and could therefore best be regarded as ‘desk-top studies’.

The dysfunction of his Enage’s office was revealed in January 2016 when they sold trek permits to a British television ‘reality star’ and his American girlfriend who wanted to trek it solo which was a clear breach of their own advice regarding the choice of a licensed tour operator.

The scam, which resulted in adverse international publicity for PNG was revealed on this link: Reported rape and attack by cannibals on the Kokoda Trail

Enage immediately went into damage control by arranging a helicopter evacuation for the couple plus accommodation and medical expenses. The costs associated with the cover-up were never revealed.

There were no repercussions for Enage or his operations manager who sold the permits.

Enage’s frustration in his working relationship with a ‘Kokoda Initiative Committee’ (KIC), established by Minister John Pundari and embedded in the Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) with Mark Nizette as Secretary, were evident in the 2016 Minutes of a KIC Technical Working Group.

When they were distributed six months after the meeting, Engage accused CEPA of misrepresenting the record of the meeting. In an email to the CEO, he wrote:

‘The above is a clear example of what has transpired over the years in terms of KI Reports which has come out and has reflected major negative perception issues on KTA as an organisation by someone in CEPA who cleverly manipulates words to try to influence the Consultation Report outcomes, portraying negative views about KTA within the Kokoda Initiative Program.

‘I say CEPA simply because KI Consultation Reports and Meetings Minutes are generated out of CEPA. KTA has suffered a perception issues in the past and at present times because this continued attitude is not corrected within CEPA.

‘Classical examples are the outcomes of Kokoda Initiative Mid Term Review Report of 2014 and Kokoda Initiative Draft Master Plan which definitely did not correctly reflect what was communicated by KTA Management to consultants who were involved in writing up of these documents. To this date, KTA Management do not accept what is written in KI draft Master Plan, because what is written there do not reflect the true essence of KTA status and aspirations communicated to the KI engaged consultants involved in developing the KI Master Plan.

‘Gunther, the above attitude in distorting words and not reflecting the true words used in consultation and KI Stakeholders meeting especially on matters relating to KTA and Track Management and Livelihoods of the Kokoda Track people is definitely hurting ourrelationship because the correct words and untrue statements just continues to misrepresent the truth and disappoints me.

‘Please whoever in CEPA, that is distorting words from meeting Minutes and Consultation reports better stop this attitude to give true records of meetings minutes and consultation reports. Otherwise, Gunther, please just remove whoever that is doing this and relocate them to other sections of CEPA to protect our working relationship.

‘For future KI meetings, I recommend that 2- or 3-minute takers be appointed for KI Meeting Minutes taking purpose to eventually compare notes and arrive with the final outcome of correct meeting minutes records. Also use Dictaphones to assist with keeping verbal records of the meeting minutes in future to refer to them when writing meeting minutes.

’The CEO of CEPA never explained why the Secretary, Mark Nizette, was so tardy in his drafting and distribution of KIC minutes. Enage’s request for clarification was ignored.

In early 2017 I contacted the late Mal Smith, the former Member for Eastern Highlands Province and close friend of former Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill. Mal is also a former Vietnam Veteran who I have known for many years. As a result, PM O’Neill ordered a review of the KTA.

The task was allocated to the Minister Pundari who passed into onto CEPA who passed it onto the Kokoda Initiative who then crafted Terms of Reference to review their surrogate, the KTA. They then ensured it would be a ‘clayton’s review’ by engaging a former executive of the KTA as a consultant to conduct it.

The integrity of the review was further compromised by the fact that the consultant did not trek with any professional groups to obtain their feedback on the significance of the pilgrimage, nor did he meet any landowner communities along the trail. The review therefore failed to reflect the reality of the Kokoda trekking industry and could best be described as another KI ‘desktop study’.

On 4 April 2018 Mark Nizette carefully orchestrated a KTA Board Meeting to accept Enage’s resignation. He ensured they had the numbers to carry the motion. The CEO of PNG Tourism, Mr Jerry Agus, was appointed to chair the meeting in the absence of Mr Rueben Maleva.

Engage was made aware of the move and arranged for a couple of his key ‘wan tok‘ supporters on the Board to boycott the meeting which proceeded and accepted his resignation.

The following day Mr Rueben Maleva called another Board meeting in his capacity as Chairman of the KTA. This time Enage’s wan-toks had the numbers and they refused to accept his resignation. He therefore continued as CEO and the dysfunction remained.

I was in Port Moresby at the time and met his wan-toks outside the KTA office before the meeting. They agreed that he was a difficult CEO but explained that he was also their ‘bro’!

On 20 April we were advised by the Australian High Commission that they:

attended a meeting of the Kokoda Initiative Committee which was chaired by Environment Minister Pundari in his capacity as lead minister for the KI.’

They went onto remind trek operators that:

‘the KTA Board had met on 4 April and accepted James Enage’s resignation as CEO. One of the purposes of the KIC meeting was for the PNG Government to affirm publicly, and in view of all the assembled stakeholders, that James Enage had in fact resigned from the position of CEO, and to thank him for his service and discuss an appropriate severance package for him. The latter issue was delegated to the KTA Board to consider, under the interim chairmanship of Tourism Promotion Authority CEO Jerry Agus. Agus was appointed interim KTA chair at the 4 April board meeting, and his appointment was also affirmed at the KIC meeting before the assembled delegates

‘Minister Pundari urged the KTA Board to move quickly to appoint a temporary CEO to replace Enage and suggested that a senior PNG official might be a suitable candidate. A permanent replacement would be recruited following the review into the KTA. The review, which is being led by the PNG Government, is proceeding according to schedule. A contractor has been appointed and is expected to deliver a draft report by the end of May. Consultations will take place with relevant stakeholders including from the trekking

I understand that Minister Pundari and the Port Moresby Governor, Powes Parkop later arranged to offer Engage a ‘lateral promotion’ to an executive position in the National Capital District which he accepted.

On 25 August 2018 Michael Pender, an accredited Military Heritage Architect and designer of the Isurava Memorial commented on the KTA Review:

‘In the last 15 years central PNG government has struggled to foster the Track’s development as a sustainable tourism resource. Equally, the Kokoda Initiative aid ($65M since 2008) to the region appears to have delivered limited sustainable economic benefit. I understand that landowners remain disenfranchised; trekking remains largely unregulated, visitor numbers by international standards are low, the tourism potential untapped. The KTA as a poorly funded manager of this dysfunctional environment has itself fallen naturally into dysfunction.

He also advised that the review:

‘offers little to government as a practical policy map of a future Kokoda Track that delivers demonstrable sustainable benefit. This is a significant shortcoming in the Review report as it puts the cart (management of the track) before the horse (the Track, what is managed and its future). In this sense the TRC Tourism KTA report fails to address a key aspect of the Terms of Reference.’

It is evident that the advice Michael Pender offered was ignored and the review, which had been kept secret until Enage blew the whistle, was submitted to NEC for approval.

It’s ironic that the DFAT Kokoda Initiative recruited James Enage as a token manager then, after he went rogue, orchestrated his replacement with a more compliant Actiing CEO in Julius Wargiral.

The role of the DFAT-Kokoda Initiative in manipulating the process to install a more compliant CEO is revealed on this link:

Mark Nizete – Kokoda Trail Ringmaster!

Following is a trail of emails with James Enage during his tenure which reveal his lack of management expertise in dealing with the expectations and complex demands associated with managing PNGs most popular tourism destination. They also reveal that Australian officials who were copied in remained as spectators to the ongoing dysfunctional management of the Kokoda Trail:

16 December 2009: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re Kokoda Sports Development Program

From. James Enage jenage@cbsc.org.pg
To. Charlie Lynn Date.
Wed 16/12/2009
Re. Kokoda Track Sports Development Program

Hi Charlie,
Attached is my official acknowledgement letter of your contribution to the Kokoda Track Sports Development Program for the Gold Coast Titans Talent Identification and Skills Development Program from the 22^nd to 19^th of November, 2009. I wish you, Jill and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy Prosperous New Year, 2010.
Best Regards,
James Enage
Project Manager Kokoda Development Program Health Capacity Building Support Team
SR Staff Development Unit
Port Moresby General Hospital Taurama Road.

3 April 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to Edward Nanaba re Request for Financial Assistance

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@ekokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Sunday, 3 April 2011 9:33 PM
To: PAUPG\s42128 Cc: James Enage
Subject: Your Request for Financial Assistance

Dear Edward,
I refer to your request for financial support for your Ministerial studies at Sonoma Adventist College in Rabaul.

Over the past three years our company, Adventure Kokoda, has paid more than K350,000 in trek fees to the Kokoda Track Authority. In addition to this the Kokoda Track Authority is owed at least K150,000 from trek operators including Niugini Holidays and Kokoda Spirit.

If, and when, the Kokoda Track Authority recovers these outstanding funds from delinquent trek operators they should be able to assist local villages such as yourself to complete their studies.

Until then Adventure Kokoda is unable to offer any support as we have in the past because of the financial disadvantage we incur by trying to do the right thing.

I therefore recommend you contact the Kokoda Track Authority directly to seek assistance with your course.

Yours sincerely,
Charlie Lynn

First Name: EDWARD Last Name: NANABA Email: PAUPG\s42128 Phone: 9821782 Message: I live along the bloody trail Mt.KoiarI( Kagi Village).I am taking Ministerial Course at Sonoma Adventist College, Rabaul (ENBP) and this is my first year. I am facing financial problem to continue my studies. therefore i am asking is there any ways that i may seek their help and they’ll help me continue my studies. Thank you and God bless.

4 April 2011: Email response from James Enage re Request for Financial Assistance for Edward Nanaba

From: James ENAGE [mailto:jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org]
Sent: Monday, 4 April 2011 1:46 PM
To: Charlie Lynn
Cc: ‘Rod Hillman’
Subject: FW: Your Request for Financial Assistance

Hi Charlie,

To enlighten you on the manner of distribution of all trek Permit fees collected by KTA, following is the formula applied.

50% of the funds received from trek fees are used for operational cost of KTA (local Staff Pay, Office Rent, etc) to ensure that the KTA as an organisation is effectively Operational.

The other 50% of the trek fees collected are divided into 25% each, allocated to Trek Maintenance and Conservation Work and Ward Development Projects within all the Council Wards under the KTA proclamations.

The KTA organised Trek Maintenance and Conservation works mainly targeting the engagement of landowners, thus creating income earning opportunities for them. Ward Development Projects managed by Ward Councillors & Community Leaders includes all the Projects that various Communities within a particular KTA’s Proclamation Ward plan decides on implementing.

This process of fund use and distribution was discussed , decided agreed and endorsed by the landowners and people living in communities (Kokoda Station to Depo-Sogeri) along the Kokoda Track. Hence, the KTA has the obligation to uphold this trust to ensure that funds are distributed as endorsed by the people living along the Kokoda.

Unless , the people decide, otherwise. I know you are aware of the various philanthropic groups that may look into this matter, but have deliberately referred this matter to KTA, thus imposing an expectation on Edward and suggesting to committee KTA to go against the decision that the people along the track have made in relation to their fund management by KTA.

Hence, for future reference, please take serious note that KTA operates by implementing decisions of the landowners and the people living along the Kokoda Track and cannot operate outside the decision of the majority or all of the Landowners along the Kokoda Track.

I am very disappointed that you have failed to realised that.

Also since you cannot direct him to any philanthropic organisation for assistance, it is appropriate that Edward talk to his Ward Councillor to discuss available options

Cheers,
James

4 April 2011: Email response to James Enage re Financial Assistance for Edward Nanaba

From: Charlie Lynn
To: James Enage Date:
4 April 2011
RE: Your Request for Financial Assistance

Dear James,
I appreciate the information on the distribution of funds along the Kokoda Trail.

Our company receives numerous requests for assistance during all of our treks – as a result of these we have paid for sick and injured children to be evacuated to Port Moresby, we have paid for a serious operation in a private hospital and a couple of general hospitalisations, we have paid for many scholarships and made significant donations to village schools over the year. We have also delivered significant quantities of health and school supplies to villages.

Despite this we are unable to meet all of the demands we receive. You will recall that we also provided significantly more support to your rugby team than any other trek operator.

We have also paid all of our trek fees in full and in advance.

We also advanced K10,000 to the KTA in 2006 to keep it viable because of our commitment to a viable management authority that would deliver shared benefits to villages.

At that stage we were the only trek operator committed to the concept.

Unfortunately we have to scale down our support for the requests we receive because we have been placed at a financial disadvantage against rogue trek operators and other operatives who do meet their obligations to pay trek fees to the KTA.

We are not aware of the degree of the disadvantage we have suffered because of the secrecy surrounding the financial arrangements made between the KTA and the rogue trek operators.

I would appreciate a copy of the contact details for each of the relevant Ward Councillors along the trail so I direct any requests for assistance to the proper person.

Thanks James.
Best regards,
Charlie

3 October 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Tour Operator Alert-October Forum

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@kokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Monday, 3 October 2011 6:06 PM
To: jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
Cc: Frank Taylor; Aidan Grimes; John Miles; David Howell; Soc Kienzle; Rowan Tracey; Chad Sherrin; Simon Hart; Ron Beattie; Peter Morrison; Peter Davis; John Nalder; David Sherry; Bernie Rowell; Warren Bartlett
Subject: RE: Tour Operator Alert – October Forum

Dear James,

If this is going to be a genuine forum for Trek Operators you should call for any issues of concern to be placed on the agenda.

In the first instance you should invite Trek Operators to make written submissions. These should be posted on the KTA website for discussion and comment. The Trek Operator Forum could then be used to bring it all together.

For those of us who spend significant amounts of time on the trail we do not need updates on track conservation works except to relay the anger expressed by the paying customers at the work that has been undertaken thus far. We also don’t need to be appraised of landowner concerns as we are in constant contact with them.

So far this year we (Adventure Kokoda) have not sighted a Ranger along the trail – apart from Owers Corner. We have a couple of treks on the trail at the moment and I will have to wait until they return to see if they saw one.

Our Adventure Kokoda trek leaders have seen no evidence of any outcomes from ‘village livelihood’ activities. We believe these will only last as long as AusAid money is provided.

We will continue to express our concerns about the failure of the KTA to publish monthly trek operator statistics and the reluctance to recover up to K200,000 in outstanding trek fees from Niugini Holidays/South Pacific Tours and Kokoda Spirit.

I note the principal of Kokoda Spirit, Wayne Wetherall, received a letter from the CEO on 5 May 2010 that ‘Kokoda Spirit has no outstanding trek permit, or other, fees to the KTA from 2008, 2009 or 2010’ and that ‘Kokoda Spirit has satisfied all requirements to be issued a KTA Commercial Operations Licence’. He concluded ‘I look forward to working closely with Kokoda Spirit into the future’. The letter was forwarded to me by Wetherall’s solicitor in a failed attempt to prevent me from exposing the erroneous claims on his website.

The CEO’s letter is misleading because it gives no indication of the amount of outstanding trek fees owed by Wetherall at the end of the 2008 trekking season i.e. was it: the number of trekkers Wetherall applied and received official trek permits for i.e. 477? the number of official trekkers plus the number Wetherall tried to smuggle through the checkpoint at Efogi i.e. 855? or the number of trekkers Wetherall claimed to have taken on his Kokoda Spirit website i.e. nearly 1000? As you know, Adventure Kokoda paid all trek fees in full and in advance. I would therefore like to know why we did not receive a letter – particularly in view of the fact that we were placed at a severe financial disadvantage by doing the right thing.

Until I am advised of the details of the secret arrangement made between the KTA and Kokoda Spirit I can only assume there has been collusion to deny the villagers along the Kokoda Trail the full extent of shared benefits they were due.

The other major issue that concerns us is the exploitation of PNG guides and carriers. They are seriously overloaded, under-equipped and I suspect they are probably underpaid by low-rent trek operators. Captain Bert Kienzle did not allow them to be overloaded during the war and the KTA should not allow them to be overloaded now. Their welfare should be a primary responsibility of the KTA as they are your people. The current neglect of their welfare is inexcusable.

We also have concerns over the failure of the KTA to develop special legislation for the Kokoda trekking industry and their failure to conduct village based workshops to address the concerns of landowners and develop sustainable partnerships with them.

James, you cannot expect us to trust or respect any authority that fails the transparency test. We will obviously continue to pay our trek fees, attend your forums and nod accordingly, but we do so in the full knowledge that nothing will change and the potential of the Kokoda wartime experience will continue to be devalued.

You could start the change by inviting all trek operators to submit a paper on the issues they have and seek their views on how to improve the industry; conduct village workshops to seek similar views from landowners; look after the welfare of your own people; and be transparent.

Next year is the 70^th anniversary of the war in the Pacific. You have a wonderful opportunity to re-establish the status of the Kokoda experience and ensure it becomes the primary model for wartime tourism in PNG.

I cannot speak for other trek operators but we would certainly do our utmost to assist you in this regard if you can refocus the KTA by establishing meaningful partnerships in a transparent manner.

Yours sincerely,

Charlie

13 October 2011: Email forwarded to James Enage re Tour Operator Alert, October Forum

From Charlie Lynn
To. James Enage jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
FW. Tour Operator Alert – October Forum

Fwd from:
To: Charlie Lynn
Cc: ‘Peter Morrison’ Date. 13 October 2011
Subject: RE: Tour Operator Alert – October Forum

Hi Charlie Peter Morrison and myself came across some carriers last month, about an hour North of Naduri, that were obviously struggling with the weight of their loads, one had a new bandage on his knee. We questioned them and were told they were carrying 30 to 40 kg.

We told Landy about this at Efogi the next day and found him quite evasive, after more direct questioning he stated that it was himself that actually helped to load these poor men.

What hope is there when the man charged to enforce the rules is helping rogue operators to take advantage of the locals and the system?

Let me know if you want times and dates.
Best regards
Dave

13 October 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Overloading of Porters

From. Charlie Lynn
To. James Enage Date.
13 October 2011
Subject. FW: Tour Operator Alert – October Forum

James,
Any system that allows this to happen to their own people is not working!

Regards,
Charlie

2 December 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Draft Licensing Conditions for the Kokoda Trail

From. Charlie Lynn To. James Enage Cc. ‘Frank Taylor’ <kokoda@arach.net.au>; ‘aidan grimes’ <aidan@ourspirit.com.au>; ‘John Miles’ <johnm@executiveexcellence.com.au>; ‘David Howell’ <david@kokodahistorical.com.au>; ‘Soc Kienzle’ <kompletekokoda@gil.com.au>; ‘Warren Bartlett’ <sogent@global.net.pg>; ‘Peter Vincent’ <pvincent@pngtourism.org.pg>; ‘Mari Ellingson’ mjellingson@btinternet.com
Date. 2 December 2011
Re. Comment on the KTA Draft Licensing Conditions for the Kokoda Trail

Dear James,

I have attached a summary of the comments collated from our trek leaders in regard to the KTA Draft Licensing Conditions.

The 70^th Anniversary of the Kokoda campaign provides a timely opportunity for the KTA to develop a professional and sustainable model for wartime tourism in PNG.

The first step towards this objective is the re-establishment of trust between the KTA and those trek operators whose primary focus is the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign.

This trust will not be restored until the KTA publishes the details of the arrangements they made with rogue trek operators in 2008 and resume the publication of monthly trek operator and trekker statistics.

I have not discussed the comments I have made with the trek operators that I have copied in this response so they should be used as a basis for further discussion if you are genuinely interested in improving the professionalism of the Kokoda trekking industry.

I will be in Port Moresby next week and would be happy to discuss this with you in more detail if you wish.
Best regards,
Charlie

18 January 2012: Email from Charlie Lynn to KTA re Curtin University Valuation Project

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@kokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 18 January 2012 11:34 PM
To: communications@kokodatrackauthority.org
Cc: Frank H Taylor; aidan grimes; Soc Kienzle; John Miles; David Howell; James Enage
Subject: Curtin University Valuation Project

Dear Sylvia,

I’m not sure I understand the details of the Curtain University Valuation Project about to be conducted. Can you please advise what is meant by this statement: ‘Research will focus largely on trekker numbers and developing a better understanding of the breakdown of expenditure between Australian, PNG and community based suppliers’.

Do you have a more detailed Terms of Reference for the project so that we can better prepare ourselves for it?

Can you also advise how much funding has been allocated to the project and what is the source of that funding? Will any of our trek fees be directed towards it?

The most important issue on the trail this year according to our trek leaders is the exploitation of your own local guides and carriers.

Can you please advise if any thought has been given to commissioning any sort of research that will better protect their welfare?

Any information you can provide in this regard would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,

Charlie

19 January 2012: Email response from James Enage to Aidan Grimes & Charlie Lynn re Curtin University Valuation Project

From: James ENAGE [mailto:jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org]
Sent: Thursday, 19 January 2012 6:19 PM
To: ‘aidan grimes’; Charlie Lynn
Cc: ‘Communications’; rhillman@kokodatrackauthority.org; kokoda@arach.net.au; ‘Peter Vincent’; johnm@executiveexcellence.com.au; kompletekokoda@gil.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au
Subject: RE: Curtin University Valuation Project

Hi Charlie & Aiden,

I read your email with interest and accept your concerns. The initial alert message sent out by KTA was intended to inform the Industry about the research by Curtin University that is eminent soon . Next week, we finalise the appropriate TORs and the documentations to progress the project and will further provide details of information to you all about the project at an appropriate time.

The research is funded by the Australian Government and its purpose is to ascertain an estimated value of the Kokoda Track Tourism Industry in the PNG Economy.

Kokoda Track Authority is currently not been given the appropriate attention and funding support from the PNG Government to continue its activities of managing the Trek, regulating the trekking industry , managing the expectations of the landowners and communities along the Kokoda Track.

The KTA do not receive recurrent funding from the PNG Government despite its unfailing commitment to assist the PNG Government to deliver services to the people along the Kokoda Track and pursue, protect and perpetually promote this international agenda, the Kokoda Track. Thanks to the Australia Government that is now working with KTA to deliver programs and provide capacity support.

There is a serious need for the PNG Government to take appropriate steps to give appropriate support and attention to the KTA and its people along the Kokoda Track.

The current KTA Management uses all its ability to manage the limited collected trek fees to ensure that the Kokoda Track remains open, the Tour Operators continue to operate their businesses, local landowners and communities’ expectations, interests and concerns are managed, and there is continuous income earning opportunities for all stakeholders involved.

Despite the threats of logging and mining interest within the Kokoda Track catchment, the Central Provincial Government’s interest to put a road through the Kokoda Track and the interest of the local people to have a road build through the Kokoda Track or adjacent to it in its visual amenity zone, the PNG Government’s interest to build a dam around the Madilogo Village area, KTA perpetually manages to ensure that the Kokoda Track and the trekking industry is given some form of serious consideration and respect where necessary to protect it from all these other competing interests.

I am aware of the concerns of our people and welfare issues you have raised, and I have received most of your concerns in regards to the License conditions and will ensure that the Licence system accommodates appropriate welfare issues and enable KTA to manage this aspects in this Trekking Season.

We can have constant dialogue to further address these issues if where necessary. I advocated for the research project to be funded by the Australian Government to enable KTA to have current empirical data and information report to be used as the basis to justify the Kokoda Track Tourism Industry’s proper placing within the PNG Economy, and to properly guide the PNG Government to resource the KTA in the future and to maintain the Track to remain open always. Furthermore , to enable KTA to continuously provide much needed services to improve the welfare of our people along the Kokoda Track.

While there are issues and interests within the industry like the ones that you have mentioned, which we can work together to find solutions and way forward in addressing and resolving, there are also existing issues and interests that are much bigger than these, that KTA Management aspires to address and deal with on daily basis.

Hence, your support and participation in this research in the near future will be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

19 January 2012: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Adventure Kokoda contribution to the KTA in 2011

From. Charlie Lynn
To. ‘James Enage’ <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>
Cc. ‘communications@kokodatrackauthority.org’
Date. Thu 19/01/2012
Subject. Adventure Kokoda Contribution to the KTA in 2011

Dear James,

Last year our company, Adventure Kokoda, led more than 300 Australians across the Kokoda Trail.

We paid approximately K100,000 in trek fees and generated approximately K1.5 million into the Kokoda trekking industry.

We provided around 800 part-time trekking employment for local Koiari and Orokaiva guides and carriers.

In addition to this we participated in forums organised by the KTA in PNG and Brisbane at our own expense.

We also accepted an invitation to the KTA to provide constructive feedback on the draft licensing code for operators.

Despite our substantial financial contribution, our willingness to participate in forums and our time in responding to requests our efforts are not reciprocated.

We have not received any detailed record of the forums we have participated in.

We have not received any form of acknowledgement to our response to the draft licensing code.

We no longer receive meaningful trek operator statistics.

And our recent requests for urgent information required for an impending court hearing in Australia have been ignored.

The KTA newsletters advise that the authority operates with ‘trust, respect and pride’. I am not sure how this can be achieved without transparency.

James, you have an opportunity to develop a world class trekking industry based on the Kokoda Trail if you work in partnership with world class trek operators.

If you ignore them and focus on the low-rent operators and outside consultants the industry will never reach its potential. The only losers in this scenario will be your own people along the Kokoda Trail.

I would appreciate your advice on which option you would prefer to focus on so that we are not then wasting each others’ time.
Yours sincerely,
Charlie Lynn

20 January 2012: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Curtin University Valuation Project

From: Charlie Lynn
To. James EnageCc. ‘Communications’ <communications@kokodatrackauthority.org>; ‘rhillman@kokodatrackauthority.org’; ‘kokoda@arach.net.au’; ‘Peter Vincent’ <pvincent@pngtourism.org.pg>; ‘johnm@executiveexcellence.com.au’; ‘kompletekokoda@gil.com.au’; ‘david@kokodahistorical.com.au’; ‘aidan grimes’ aidan@ourspirit.com.au
Date: 20 January 2012
Re. RE: Curtin University Valuation Project

Hi James,
Thank you for the update on the valuation project.

Over the past decade approximately 30,000 Australians have trekked across the Kokoda Trail. General calculations based on the average price people pay for their trek indicates that the industry has generated approximately K45 million into village economies via fees, wages and local purchases. A further K55 million has been generated within the PNG economy via hotel accommodation, charter aircraft and purchases and total GST revenue between Australian and PNG is in the region of K30 million. I don’t know how much AusAID money has been injected into the industry but I imagine it would be in the region of a few million kina.

I was leading treks across the trail when the village economies were based on subsistence gardening and the combined annual income of all villages along the trail was estimated to be in the region of K30,000 – I believe it is now more in the region of K300,000 per annum (excluding Aid). I don’t dispute that a university trained consultant might come up with a more precise set of figures but whatever it turns out to be it will show that the amount of funding generated by the industry is not the problem.

The problem, in my opinion, is the lack of effective management of the Kokoda trekking industry.

Whilst there has been a substantial increase in staff and funding since the Australian government became involved in 2008 there has been a commensurate decrease in trekker numbers as illustrated in the following table:
YEAR TREKKER NUMBERS TREK FEE INCOME COMMENT
2001 76 K15,200 Trek Fee established at K200 per trekker
2002 365 K73,000 60^th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign
2003 1074 K214,800
2004 1584 K317,800 Kokoda Track Authority established
2005 2374 K474,800
2006 3747 K749,400
2007 5146 K1,029,200
2008 5621 K1,134,200 Australian ‘assistance’ commences
2009 4340 K878,000 4 trekkers die on trail. 13 killed in aircrash.
2010 2871 K861,300 50% Trek Fee increase from K200 to K300
2011 2914 K874,200

The major beneficiaries of the substantial increase in funding since 2008 seem to have been consultants and NGOs.

The Kokoda trek experience has been seriously devalued since then because there are no controls over numbers of trek itineraries or trekker numbers during peak periods.

Legitimate trek operators who invest heavily in marketing are disadvantaged by low-rent operators who cherry-pick clients during peak periods and then become dormant during the quiet times.

Charities are raising millions of kina for noble causes in the land of plenty but leaving nothing behind in PNG.

Trek fees increased by 50 per cent in 2010 and the management service provided to legitimate trek operators decreased by a similar percentage.

Ever since the Australian management closed the books we have no idea where the market is and have no idea who is paying and who is not.

There does not seem to be any due diligence checks when licensing new trek operators – the number of licensed operators is not sustainable when matched with the number of trekkers, etc, etc.

But the biggest managerial travesty is the lack of protection afforded to local guides and carriers who are being ruthlessly exploited by unscrupulous operators – and there is no evidence of any legislation in the pipeline to protect them.

If the Australian government has funding available for more consultants then it should be directed towards developing legislation to provide protection to legitimate trek operators, local guides and carriers, campsite owners, and villagers. In the meantime the KTA should vacate its office in Fort Boroko and relocate to an area more accessible to landowners and villagers. I am sure a co-share arrangement with Koiari Holdings at 12-mile would be far more cost effective and user friendly for its clientele.

If PNG is to realise the potential for a world class wartime tourism industry there needs to be a total rethink of a marketing and management strategy.

I understand that the current vision for PNG is to be the number 1 tourism destination in the South West Pacific.

Based on the latest figures I have been able to access this is a formidable challenge when the competition for the Australian market is considered. In 2008 more than six million Australians travelled overseas. Of these just 114,000 visited Papua New Guinea i.e. less than two percent. The main competitors in the region are Bali (2.64 million), New Zealand (2.42 million), Fiji (585,000), French Polynesia (196,000), New Caledonia (104,000) and Vanuatu (91,000).

Of the 114,000 overseas visitors to PNG – 53,819 (56.5 per cent) came from Australia. Of these, a little more than 10 per cent (5621) trekked across the Kokoda Trail.

It is clear that PNG cannot compete with destinations such as Bali, Fiji and New Zealand who are well geared up for mass tourism. However what PNG lacks in quantity it can make up for in quality because of the emerging interest in our wartime history.

If an effective model based on quality historical/cultural/environmental adventure tourism can be developed on Kokoda then it could be replicated throughout the country. This means we need to focus on increasing the quality of the experience through the development of a model supported by legislation and developed in partnership with trek operators who generate the income through effective marketing and professional operations. If we cannot get Kokoda to work effectively then the opportunity for wartime tourism will be bleak.

The expertise you require for this development already exists amongst the legitimate trek operators who have been around for more than a decade, and the landowners they have established genuine relationships with. The KTA should be the lead agency in facilitating the process. Consultants and NGOs should be consigned to other wards/regions that don’t have the benefits of a trekking industry or other means of income – there is no shortage of these in PNG where more than one million people live on less than K1 per day.

We are obviously willing to provide you with whatever advice and support we can as we have a shared desire to ensure our wartime heritage is properly protected and preserved for future generations – but it must be reciprocated in the form of good strategy, transparent management and appropriate legislation.

I therefore recommend you take ownership of the leadership challenge and cancel the ‘Valuation Project’.

I further recommend that you seek funding assistance to conduct research on the welfare needs of local guides and carriers and to develop appropriate legislation to protect the key stakeholders in the industry i.e. the legitimate trek operators. campsite owners and villagers.

I appreciate that other operators might have different views and I would ask that you to consult with them so that we can work together in a meaningful way for the greater good of wartime tourism in PNG. Perhaps you could ask them all to submit a paper based on their experiences and expectations – this would be far more productive and meaningful than engaging consultants and NGOs who have never had to put their hands in their own pockets to run a commercial operation in PNG.

I would appreciate your thoughts James.

Best regards,

Charlie

11 February 2012: Email to James Enage from Charlie Lynn re Policy on the use of the Kokoda Trail for Kokoda charities

March 2012: James Enage Policy Document for Charities

Enage’s response to our displayed a form of dismissive arrogance which increased as he realised he was untouchable and unaccountable as CEO of the KTA and a landowner after Hillman’s departure.. Whenever he was challenged he would rip out a quick ‘policy’ without any consultation with key stakeholders:

28 January 2013: Email from James Enage to Tour Operators re Unlicensed Kokoda Tpur Operators

From: James ENAGE <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>
To: ‘Charlie Lynn’ <charlie@charlielynn.com.au>; aidan@ourspirit.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; ‘Frank H Taylor’ <kokoda@arach.net.au>; ‘John Miles’ <jm@executiveexcellence.com.au>
Cc: ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; sogent@global.net.pg; chad@kokodatreks.com.au; ‘Peter Vincent’ <peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel>
Sent: Monday, 28 January 2013 11:51 AM
Subject: Unlicienced Tour Operators & Charity Treks

Dear Tour Operators,
Thank you all for your comments about the possibility of unlicenced tour operators operating on the Track, and your views on the usefulness of charity or fundraising treks.

On the issue of unlicenced tour operators please be reassured that all of the leads you have provided are being followed up, and I am personally contacting the operators you have drawn to my attention to establish what the situation is and to point out to them the conditions under which access to the Track is granted.

Our initial thoughts are that some of these operators may be advertising a trek with the aim of using a licenced tour operator to actually conduct the trek. If this is the case we may want to discuss the usefulness of asking this relationship to be mentioned in the advertising. I’ll explore this further and let you know what I find. At the same time, I’ve asked my Operations Manager to re-examine the activities of the Rangers to see if there are procedures that can be tightened or introduced to confirm that all trekkers walking the Track do so with licenced tour operators.

The outcomes of this work will also be reported back to you in the near future.

The matter of charity treks has been considered by the KTA Management Committee after a number of comments from tour operators supporting this practice and those on the other hand who want it more highly regulated.

The Committee encourages charity treks along with all other respectful use and is of the view that all users of the Track should be treated as valuable ambassadors and welcome visitors to the area.

Further, the Committee also recognises charity trekking is a business in the same way that private companies are also using the Track to operate their business, and the Committee has decided not to impose an additional percentage return back to the KTA based on the profit any business makes while using the Track.

However, in it’s last meeting the Committee did impose an additional K2,000 fee for charity treks along with other increases in trekking fees.

It is my intention to review the impact of these fee increases at the end of this year. Lastly, next month I will be walking the Track along with other members of the Kokoda Initiative and I will raise these issues and others to seek the views of the communities themselves.

I’ll report any pertinent findings back through the KTA newsletter and the upcoming Tour Operator forum.

Yours sincerely,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority PO Box 545 Boroko NCD

29 January 2013: Email from Mark Nizette Re Unlicensed Tour Operators and Charity Treks

From. Mark Nizette mark.nizette@gmail.com
To. Kokoda Historical kokodahistorical@yahoo.com.au
Cc.James ENAGE <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>; Charlie Lynn <charlie@charlielynn.com.au>; aidan@ourspirit.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; Frank H Taylor <kokoda@arach.net.au>; John Miles <jm@executiveexcellence.com.au>; sogent@global.net.pg; chad@kokodatreks.com.au; Peter Vincent <peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel>; Feros, Kate <kate.feros@environment.gov.au>; James, Luke <Luke.James@environment.gov.au>; Okwechime, Peter peter.okwechime@environment.gov.au
Date. Tue 29/01/2013 3:23 PM
Subject. Re: Unlicienced Tour Operators & Charity Treks

Clodagh et al,

One thing James failed to mention (and this affects timing) is that KTA have been advised to seek legal advice on the draft letter they have prepared before they are sent out to the (apparently) non-compliant tour operators.

James has asked me to seek this advice through the legal office of the Department of Environment and Conservation which is in process now.

We are reviewing a letter that was sent out last year to a non-compliant tour operator. Secondly, as I understand it, James has instructed his Operations Manager, Michael O’Kave to prepare a list of the tour operators who did not conduct business last year so letters can be sent as soon as the letter is cleared legally. This list is being double checked and is near completion.

Mark.

On Tue, Jan 29, 2013 at 10:40 AM, Kokoda Historical <kokodahistorical@yahoo.com.au> wrote:

Hi James,
We are glad to see that you are prioritising this issue now and look forward to seeing the results of your actions.

When can we expect to see the updated list of Licensed Operators with those inactive companies removed as per the KTAs “use it or lose it rule” and those who have commited breaches removed as per KTA rules.

Also can you give us an assurance that the KTA will stop endorsing operators that fail to comply with the KTA Rules? When can we expect to see your website updated accordingly?

Regards, Clodagh Mulcahy

8 March 2013: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Tour Operators Forum, Brisbane

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@charlielynn.com.au]
Sent: Friday, 8 March 2013 5:55 PM
To: ‘James ENAGE’
Cc: ‘Frank H Taylor’; ‘aidan grimes’; ‘David Howell’; ‘John Miles’; chad@kokodatreks.com.au; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘Mark Nizette’
Subject: Re Tour Operators Forum, Brisbane, 22 March 2013

Dear James,

Thank you for your tentative agenda for the trek operators forum in Brisbane on 22 March 2013. I note that you have allowed a little over an hour to discuss the issues from the previous forum report. I am not sure how many trek operators will attend the forum but, as you know, only three attended the last one in November.

I therefore believe that a written report should be prepared and distributed to all trek operators for comment prior to the forums in March.

Their comments should then be collated and presented to the forum for further discussion and distribution. I have attached a summary of recommendations from the last forum together with some brief comments on the issues as an example. This process will provide a fair opportunity for all trek operators to respond to your report and will give you a better feel for which issues to place on the agenda.

I also request that you circulate a paper on the following issues so that participants can do their own research and are therefore better prepared for the discussion at the forum:

1.         Kokoda Development Program.
I notice that this presentation is only listed for the Port Moresby Forum. We would appreciate a paper with a summary of outcomes from projects such as the Village Livelihoods Project and an assessment of the identifiable and measurable benefits for each village. I trekked Kokoda four times last year and was not able to identify a single project. We would also like a reference and a summary of findings for all the consultants who have been engaged by the Kokoda Initiative, the Kokoda Development Program and AusAID since 2009.

2.         Unlicensed Tour Operators.
We know who they are and would like to know what decisive action the KTA will adopt to police their own licensing system.

3.         Cheating on Trekker Permit Payments.

4.         No Trekking on the Sabbath in 2014 – where did this come from; what does it mean; will it apply to other religious holidays?

5.         Only one international guide per tour group – where did this come from; what does it mean; how will it be policed; how will PNG Tourism market this to the international community; are there plans to also restrict the number of international trekkers in each group? How will trek operators train their trek leaders?

6.         Charity-fundraiser trek fixed fee. What action will the KTA take to ensure local villagers along the trail get a significant shared benefit from Australian charities who have used the trail to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for their respective causes?

7.         Entry Visa for Non-National Trek Leaders. This was raised at the forum in November so a report on progress made thus far would be helpful.

8.         Respect for other Licensed Tour Operators. Where did this come from? This will only happen if the KTA ensures all trek operators comply with their licensing conditions and Code of Conduct. A written report on how the KTA intends to maintain the integrity of the conditions it has already established would be more beneficial that a discussion.

I request the following topics be added to the agenda:
•          Role of the KTA – this needs to be clearly defined so that trek operators, campsite owners and villagers are aware of its reason for being.
•          Website. The KTA needs to be redesigned and updated.
•          Legislation. The KTA should be protected by legislation that empowers you to enforce licensing conditions and to protect PNG trek guides, carriers and campsite owners from exploitation.
•          Trekker Discounts. The requirement for local villagers to subsidise Australian school children is morally wrong. I request that the KTA check and advise if any hotels in Port Moresby provide such discounts – if not then why should the villagers the KTA is supposed to represent be required to do so?
•          Publication of Trek Operator Statistics. This was supposed to happen but has not yet been published. I do not see the need for any of the presentations currently scheduled for 11.00 AM unless the PNG TPA and the Australian Government representative are able to announce that they have resolved the issue regarding entry visas’ for Australian trek leaders.

If they wish to participate I suggest that a session on marketing be scheduled for the end of the day.

I recommend that the presentation on charter flights and the session on HIV/AIDS on the trail be deleted from the forum. Charter flights are a commercial arrangement made between individual trek operators and local airlines.

We have been chartering aircraft for 22 years and do not have any issues in this regard. If there is a need to share information between operators this could be easily achieved on a redesigned KTA website.

Thanks James – I hope this helps.

Best regards,
Charlie

11 March 2013 Respons from James Enage re Brisbane Forum

From: James ENAGE [mailto:jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org]
Sent: Monday, 11 March 2013 9:25 AM
To: ‘Charlie Lynn’
Cc: ‘Frank H Taylor’; ‘aidan grimes’; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; John Miles; chad@kokodatreks.com.au; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘Mark Nizette’
Subject: RE:

Hi Charlie, Thank for your serious concerns, and comments on the Kokoda Track Tour Operator Forum agendas and previous forum minutes. I have taken note of your comments.

I believe you will attend the preseason Tour Operator Forum so that KTA Management can be able to explain and clarify on certain issues or agendas you have commented on and discuss others that matters with you and the other Tour Operators. I look forward to meeting you at the Tour Operator Forum in Brisbane on the 22^nd of March, 2013.
Best Regards,
James
Chief Executive Officer

11 March 2013: Email from John Miles, Executive Excellence to James Enage

From: John Miles [mailto:jm@executiveexcellence.com.au]
Sent: Monday, 11 March 2013 4:35 PM
To: James ENAGE; Charlie Lynn
Cc: Frank H Taylor; aidan grimes; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; chad@kokodatreks.com.au; Warren Bartlett
Subject: RE:
Importance: High

James,
A short email but to the point.

I write this email and dutifully hope I will get a response this time as when I do collate an email to you it is not seat of the pants emotional crap.

I write because I give a damn and I am passionate about the History, the track, the veterans and the people in PNG.

My answers are in “blue and bold”

Like Charlie I have concerns in relation to the forum and in particular:

1.         Kokoda Development Program. Why is this not in Brisbane forum? Given the very fact an enormous amount has actually been done and continues to be done.

2.         Unlicensed Tour Operators. Update and actions taken

3.         Cheating on Trekker Permit Payments. What has, is going to happen? Transparency required

4.         No Trekking on the Sabbath in 2014 – where did this come from; what does it mean; agree, how was this decision made, when, why and by whom ….just need to understand the process

5.         Only one international guide per tour group – where did this come from; what does it mean; how will it be policed; Agree and I addressed this in my first email – I received no response but the points I raised are still pertinent. Please define international guide —- what if you have 2IC on your trek what is your take on this … I do hope you have considered your risk management and the outcomes that could be forthcoming as I raised in my email

6.         Charity-fundraiser trek fixed fee. Transparency is required here otherwise like you (KTA) have had previously you will have innuendo / accusations / doubts / trust issues – which leads to ‘no confidence’ we need to have accurate information

7.         Entry Visa for Non-National Trek Leaders. This was raised at the forum in November so a report on progress made thus far would be helpful.

8.         Respect for other Licensed Tour Operators. Where did this come from? This will only happen if the KTA ensures all trek operators comply with their licensing conditions and Code of Conduct. A written report on how the KTA intends to maintain the integrity of the conditions it has already established would be more beneficial that a discussion.

Agree, why would you even state this to the ones (operators) who are abiding by the “Code of Conduct” and have done so for many years …. Please do me the courtesy and read my previous emails as this point            is a slap in the face!

Kind regards
John Miles
Managing Director Executive Excellence

13 March 2013: Email response from James Enage to John Miles, Executive Excellence

From: James ENAGE [mailto:jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org]
Sent: Wednesday, 13 March 2013 10:35 AM
To: ‘John Miles’
Cc: ‘Charlie Lynn’; ‘Frank H Taylor’; chad@kokodatreks.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; ‘aidan grimes’; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘Peter Vincent’; ‘Okwechime, Peter’
Subject: RE:

Dear John,
Thank you for your email below. I take note of your concerns and wish to advise you that we will address some of your concerns within the Brisbane Forum.

With a lot currently happening here for us and I suggest we meet at the Brisbane Forum for me to provide you the responses you require for certain agenda highlighted.

Myself and Peter Vincent, CEO PNG TPA will be in Brisbane on the 21^st of March, I suggest you and others catch up and meet with us to discuss Miltary History and the welfare of the people and the way forward for us to work together before the Forum on 22^nd of March, 2013.

I suggest we meet at 2:00pm at Chiefly at Lennons for this meetings. Please advise if these will work for you. Furthermore, myself and the KTA’s new Business Advisor, Peter Okwechime will be available on Saturday to meet with the Eco Tourism Australian reps. If Thursday is not good, then lets catch up after lunch on Saturday at the same time to meet after the Forum.

Best Regards,
James James Enage
Chief Executive Officer

20 March 2013: Message from the KTA CEO, James Enage

7 August 2014: Email: Chad Sherrin to James Enage re Kokoda Trail Issues

From: chad Sherrin [mailto:chad@kokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Thursday, 7 August 2014 5:15 PM
To: ceo@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Michael O’KAVE’
Cc: ‘Charlie Lynn’; ‘Frank H Taylor’; ”John Miles”; ‘Aidan Grimes’; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; ‘Mark Nizette’
Subject: Kokoda Trail Issues

Good morning James and Michael,
I have just returned from the track and am very disappointed with your continued inaction with regard to preservation of historical sites, and the ineffectiveness of your rangers, despite the following matters being raised with you numerous times dating back to Rod Hillman’s era. These are basic ‘management’ issues but it seems everything falls on deaf ears despite your assurances to Charlie Lynn in your meeting with him in April of this year.

Destruction of Defensive Positions at Eora and Ofi Creeks
I raised this matter both in person and in writing to Michael on 22^nd June (reproduced below), even offering to provide technical advice for the refurbishment of the damage already done, and received the assurance that it would be seen to as a matter of urgency. Absolutely nothing has been done to protect either site and moreover I can see no evidence of any other work done in the vicinity of these sites that might have been of greater priority.

Despite repeated requests to your organisation for action to be taken to protect the Japanese defensive position above Ofi Creek and the heavy machine gun pit at Eora Creek nothing at all has been done. The result is that trekking groups continue to climb in and out of these positions and are destroying them completely; the Ofi Creek position has had some four metres of the position totally destroyed and the weapon pit at Eora Creek is being eroded to the point that it is almost unrecognisable. These are historical sites of interest and both need to be urgently fenced and sign-posted to prevent further degradation, before there is nothing left to see.

In addition trek operators need to be educated to protect these sites and to supervise their trekking groups accordingly – that this can occur amongst groups who so loudly proclaim their ‘historic credentials’ on their websites, etc totally defies belief.

Any operator who can be proved to allow such actions should be banned from the Trail and their licence revoked. When can we expect that you will commence this important task?

Employment of Rangers
My other concern is the apparent wasteful and ineffective way in which the rangers are being employed. It is not something I blame them for, it is more likely the direction they are being given, or not given.

Specifically:

. I have never yet had packs weighed at Kokoda, and assume neither has any other trek. In fact the only two times I have even seen the ranger at Kokoda is the time in June when you James made your flying visit to Kokoda on our aircraft; the second was my last trek when he approached me to carry money back to POM for his wife.

. When checking permits the rangers all simply copy the information direct from the permit which you have issued.Each time I come through Isurava village from the south I am accosted by Ivan Natua wanting to check and record details from my permit, despite it already having been checked at Owers Corner and Efogi.

. Whenever I speak to him about the uselessness of this he says “I have to so that KTA knows I am doing my job”. He is always in the village when I come through wanting to talk to trekkers about how effectively he is managing the track.

. I have never yet met a ranger ‘on-the-track’ in any of my 65 treks.

It is my understanding that the rangers are employed to assist you in the ‘management’ of trekking operations on the track but their actions give little indication that this is being achieved. Simply copying trek permit details is not monitoring trek operator compliance. Rangers should be checking for the existence of a valid trek permit at the beginning of each trek and at any point where circumstances might change, e.g. Efogi, Manari, Kagi; then, to monitor compliance, they should be physically counting trekkers and carriers and comparing with permit details.

It is apparent from both observation, and from discussion amongst carriers that maximum pack weight limits are still not being universally complied with. Rangers should be weighing ALL packs at the beginning and mid-point of each trek and then randomly along the track.Rangers cannot do their job effectively by sitting in their village.

Like any ‘enforcement officer’ they can only do their job by being ‘visible’ along the track. They should be:

. Conducting random pack weight checks.
. Conducting random audits of trekker/carrier numbers in each trek they meet.
. Surveying the track for damage and/or safety hazards, and initiating corrective action.Implementing a system (which I have spoken about at length and provided examples of an effective system) to ensure campsite owners and landowners are not being deprived of fees due to them by unscrupulous trek operators.

The above are but examples of what is not happening in regard to the effective management of trek operations. It is clear to me that, as a matter of urgency, a review needs to be conducted of how the track is ‘managed’ and an effective system put in place.

As I have crudely said before, the present system is like worms in a long-drop, it is ‘just going through the motions!!’, not effectively ‘managing’.

Regards,
Chad
Trek Leader
Adventure Kokoda

8 August 2014: Email response from James Enage to Chad Sherrin Re Kokoda Trail Issues

From. James ENAGE <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>
To. Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>
Cc. Charlie Lynn <charlie@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Frank H Taylor’ <kokoda@arach.net.au>; johnm@executiveexcellence.com.au; aidan@ourspirit.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; ‘Michael O’KAVE’ <operations@kokodatrackauthority.org>
Date. Fri 8/08/2014 3:03 PM Re.
RE: Kokoda Trail Issues

Chad,
I have raised those issues you raised with relevant parties concern to move the management of the Kokoda Track forward after our various meetings in the past.

I was optimistic that we have tighten up the system in terms of compliance because of feedback from other Tour Operators in relation to the way the Rangers were working. However, I am disappointed that complacency has crept in into the system. I will work with Michael and the Rangers on those areas you have mentioned immediately improve the Rangers’ performances.

In regards to the sacred war sites , war relics and Military History preservation of the Kokoda Track, I have raised these agendas in various stakeholders meetings involving Australian and PNG Government Official but the response has been slow. But I can assure you that the appropriate agencies will eventually take appropriate actions soon. In fact the work in preserving the 1942 War History from the local people’s perspective has already began. You can get more details from Mark Nizette, Senior Kokoda Initiative Advisor.

Furthermore, definitely, we will review the system to ensure that we raise above these issues. Please do come to the Tour Operator Forum for us to discuss some of these issues. Thank you for the feedback. Please take note that I will be away from my office for work duties outside, all of next week. I should respond to your emails, the week after next week.

Best Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

13 March 2013: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Peter OKwechime

From. Charlie Lynn
To. ‘James ENAGE’ <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>
Cc. ‘Frank H Taylor’ (kokoda@arach.net.au); ‘John Miles’ <johnm@executiveexcellence.com.au>; aidan@ourspirit.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>; Warren Bartlett (sogent@global.net.pg); Mark Nizette (mark.nizette@gmail.com)
Date: 13 March 2013
Subject: Re Trek Operators Forum: Questions re Peter Okwechime; EcoTourism Australia and Forum Funding

Dear James,
Can you please advise who is Peter Okwechime? What is his business profile? What is his relationship to our wartime history? Who pays his salary? Who engaged him? What experience does he have in PNG?

You mention the attendance of Eco Tourism Australia representatives. Who are they? What will be their contribution to the protection, preservation and development of the wartime historical aspects of the Kokoda trekking experience? What qualifications do they have in this regard? What qualifications do they have in ensuring the welfare of PNG Guides, Carriers and local villagers are protected? What is their relevance to a Trek Operators Forum?

I would also appreciate your advice as to who pays for these forums. Are they funded by the Australian Government, the PNG Government, AusAId or the KTA?

I would appreciate your advice in regard to these questions.

Thank you James.

Best regards,

Charlie

Response from James Enage to Chad Sherrin: 8 August 2014

From: jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
To: Chad Sherrin chad@kokodatreks.com.au
Cc Charlie Lynn charlie@kokodatreks.com.au; ‘Frank H Taylor’ kokoda@arach.net.au; johnm@executiveexcellence.com.au; aidan@ourspirit.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; ‘Mark Nizette’ mark.nizette@gmail.com; ‘Michael O’KAVE’ operations@kokodatrackauthority.org
Date: Fri 8/08/2014 3:03 PM
Re: Kokoda Track Issues

Chad,
I have raised those issues you raised with relevant parties concern to move the management of the Kokoda Track forward after our various meetings in the past.

I was optimistic that we have tighten up the system in terms of compliance because of feedback from other Tour Operators in relation to the way the Rangers were working. However, I am disappointed that complacency has crept in into the system. I will work with Michael and the Rangers on those areas you have mentioned immediately improve the Rangers’ performances.

In regards to the sacred war sites , war relics and Military History preservation of the Kokoda Track, I have raised these agendas in various stakeholders meetings involving Australian and PNG Government Official but the response has been slow. But I can assure you that the appropriate agencies will eventually take appropriate actions soon. In fact the work in preserving the 1942 War History from the local people’s perspective has already began.

You can get more details from Mark Nizette, Senior Kokoda Initiative Advisor.

Furthermore, definitely, we will review the system to ensure that we raise above these issues. Please do come to the Tour Operator Forum for us to discuss some of these issues. Thank you for the feedback.

Please take note that I will be away from my office for work duties outside, all of next week. I should respond to your emails, the week after next week.

Best Regards,
James Engage
Chief Executive Officer
Kokoda Track Authority
P: +675 323 6165 | F: +675 323 6020 | E: jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
“Managing the Track with Trust, Respect & Pride”
www.kokodatrackauthority.org

9 November 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Forum in Brisbane

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@kokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Sunday, 9 November 2014 10:42 AM
To: James Enage
Cc: Feros, Kate; Mark Nizette (mark.nizette@gmail.com); ‘Warren Bartlett (sogent@sogerilodge.com)’; chad Sherrin (chad@kokodatreks.com.au); ‘Artie Jacobson’; ‘Peter Okwechime’
Subject: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear James,

Thank you for sending through the agenda for your KTA Forum to be held in Brisbane on 14 November. The agenda does not address any of our concerns in regard to the management of the trail. For example:

Campsite Bookings
This is a fundamental requirement of any credible management system and the refusal of the KTA to address this issue is beyond our understanding. I believe 2015 will see a significant increase in the number of trekkers – Air Niugini flights for 25 April are already fully booked. How is the KTA going to manage the increase? We have booked the campsites we have invested in and we do not have the capacity to share. What will happen if another group or a number of groups arrive at Ofi Creek on the same night during the Anzac trekking period? The campsite has a capacity for only 30 trekkers. This issue must be addressed before the commencement of the 2015 trekking season.

Campsite Audits
The campsite owners the KTA was established to protect are missing out on more than K100,000 per trekking season because unscrupulous trek operators are not paying the full amount of the campsite fees owing to them. There is a simple solution available and those of us who do have a genuine interest in the welfare of your people cannot understand why the KTA continues to ignore it.Battlesite Payments
Landowners of significant sites are missing out on at least K150,000 per trekking season because of the failure of the KTA to collect a site fee in advance and deposit it in their bank accounts. Why the KTA refuses to protect the income of these landowners is beyond our understanding.

Welfare of PNG Guides and Carriers
The KTA continues to turn a blind eye to the exploitation of Koiari and Orokaiva guides they are supposed to represent. Unscrupulous trek operators continue to force them to carry excess weight and do not provide adequate food, uniforms/sleeping bags/mats or emergency equipment such as satphones for emergency purposes. This is well below an acceptable standard for a world class trekking destination! The solution is simple – the KTA should implement a system which allows for at least two guides/carriers to be engaged for each trekker – if the trek operator has not arranged for a half-way drop then at least three guides/carriers should be engaged. This would lighten their loads and create additional employment. PNG guides should be paid their daily rate up until the time they are paid. Why the KTA continues to ignore the welfare needs of the people they are supposed to represent is beyond our understanding.

Trail Maintenance
The environmental degradation along the trail is an issue of serious concern to those of us who have a dinkum interest in the protection of the environment. Safety in regard to creek crossings is also a continuing concern. The solution is simple. Allocate responsibility for sections of the trail to local landowners and pay them to repair during the period November-April each year and maintain it for the rest of the year. A simple bridge built with local material with a couple of hand rails should not be that difficult to design.

Toilets
The toilets are well below the standard required of a world-class trekking destination. Some are putrid. The solution is simple and the fact that the KTA has never sought to understand the requirements of trekkers is beyond our understanding.

Governance
The lack of governance within the KTA is unacceptable. Adventure Kokoda has paid K140,000 in trek fees in 2014. We are not aware of a single benefit we have received from this payment – we still observe unlicensed trek operators; groups trekking without an operator; lone trekkers; etc. etc Included in this amount is a K2000 marketing levy. The total amount collected from the marketing levy in 2014 will be more than K150,000. Despite this trekker numbers continue to decrease. Our requests for a detailed report on the expenditure of the marketing levy continues to be ignored. We therefore conclude that it is a KTA slush fund.

The agenda for the forum indicates that the KTA continues to operate in a parallel universe to the reality of the trekking industry on the trail. This is a pity because there is a need for a professional management body however this will never be achieved while you continue to ignore the two most important elements of a sustainable world class trekking industry i.e. the professional trek operators, the paying customers; and the people who own the land along the trail between Owers Corner and Kokoda.

I note the title for the forum is ‘Shaping the Future Now’. I don’t believe anybody can shape the future if they have no understanding of the past – are continue to ignore the reality of the present.

We will obviously not participate in workshops and forums that address the issues that concern us and the villagers along the trail – unfortunately the agenda for this forum does not do this. We there decline the invitation to attend.

Best regards,
Charlie

Adventure Kokoda
PO Box 303
Camden NSW 2570
0439 303 303
charlie@tracie
www.kokodatreks.com

21 October 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Emergency Facilities at Efogi

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@charlielynn.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 21 October 2014 3:25 PM
To: James ENAGE
Cc: Feros, Kate; Mark Nizette
Subject: Emergency Facilities at Efogi

Dear James,

Chad Sherrin was required to arrange for the evacuation of one of his trekkers from Efogi Village today. The KTA Ranger, Landy, could not be conducted as he is in Port Moresby. The VHF radio in Efogi is not working. The acting Ranger, Lance, advised Chad that it has not been working for a long time. He said that they had advised the KTA but they have done nothing. He could not advise when it would be fixed.

This is a major safety breach which could have dire consequences in the event of an emergency situation where a trek operator or trekker does not have their own satphone or VHF radios.

Fortunately Chad Sherrin was able to make the necessary evacuation arrangements because he has a satphone, two VHF radios and a reliable 24/7 VHF radio link at Sogeri.

Kokoda Trek Operators will pay more than K1 million in trek fees to the KTA this year. They expect the KTA to maintain a functional radio network in return for the fees they pay.

I request that the KTA rectify the problem at Efogi and conduct an audit on the network as a matter of urgency.

The trekking industry cannot afford the negative publicity that would result in the lack of a response to an emergency situation because of a malfunctioning radio network.

Best regards,

Charlie

22 October 2014: Email response from James Enage re Emergency Facilities at Efogi

From: James ENAGE jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
To: Charlie Lynn
Cc: Kate.Feros@environment.gov.au
Subject: Emergency facilities at Efogi

Dear Charlie,
It is great to hear from you again.

Landy has left his work station due to the fact that he had to go through thorough medical attention here in Port Moresby for a recent health issue. Hence, Chad met with the acting Ranger.

Furthermore, it is truly good Chad took note of the unfixed radio. KTA has done an assessment of the radios along the Kokoda Track (including the Efogi Radio) but had not done much due to the fact that our Kokoda Initiative arrangement in Canberra wrongly withhelding the Australian Government funding mean for Safety and Livelihoods Programs along the Kokoda Track and Staff Salaries through KTA for a whole year.

KTA has also literally been maintaining Australian Government funded positions from its operational funds for a year out of the Trek Fees collected so KTA could not do much about the unfixed radio’s in Efogi.

Hopefully, we receive the next lot of funds soon to rectify situations like the radio in Efogi and others along the Kokoda Track to improve the situation. We will discuss this issue and others at the next Tour Operator Forum.

Please pass my well done to Chad for assisting the injured trekkers out of Efogi.

Best Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority
P: +675 323 6165 | F: +675 323 6020 | E: jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org

9 November 2014: Email to James Enage from Charlie Lynn re Agemda Concerns for his TPA Forum in Brisbane

From: James ENAGE [mailto:jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org]
Sent: Sunday, November 9, 2014 11:23 PM
To: Charlie Lynn
Cc: ‘Feros, Kate’; ‘Mark Nizette’; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘chad Sherrin’; ‘Artie Jacobson’; ‘Peter Okwechime’; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org
Subject: RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear Charlie,
Take note that I am truly disappointed with the way you have been continuously going about complaining about the KTA Tour Operator Forum agendas and protesting not to attending these Forums in the past.

Since I took over KTA as the Chairman in 2008, and now the CEO, KTA in the last five (5) years has managed in a coordinated manner, unlike the past and delivered over K1.2 million trek fees plus in Ward Developments funds and Trek Maintenance Agreement payments to the landowners and local communities along the Kokoda Track.

Furthermore , KTA has worked with the Australia Government and PNG Government stakeholders to deliver well over AUS$ 3.5million plus worth of projects which are very visual which I feel greatly amaze to understand why you cannot accord some surprise and humble yourself to come and support the good course, the KTA, Australian Government and PNG Government is taking.

Charlie, KTA has already address most of the issues you mentioned and are working on solutions to addressing the others. In actual fact , the agendas in this year’s forum gives every stakeholder another opportunity to find better ways to collectively work together to improve the Kokoda Track Trekking Industry. KTA has always paid full attention to the welfare of our people and deal with Tour Operators that step out of line with local people (including guest house owners).

I have always advised my people along the Kokoda Track to come and see me if they feel their welfare is not taken care of well. In cases where I had received complaints, I had always addressed these issues with the concern Tour Operators. If there is a Tour Operator that needs to be penalised , please be specific so that KTA can penalised them.

Furthermore, Charlie, fix your house also, your porters and guides are complaining about their welfares to me also. They feel they are working for long hours and paid less. Also , KTA does not receive PNG Government Funding for its recurrent expenditures, so we do not have the capacity to do more.

The agendas we have this years has come out of the KTA’s assessment of the Trekking Industry and from our consultation with all the, communities , landowners, Guest House Owners and Tour Operators.

Most of what you have stated are going to be addressed within this forum in Brisbane. I am not surprised that you are protesting again, and will not attend.

Charlie, I have been informed by Warren that you are working on some kind of Military History Authority in Australia to lobby both Australia and PNG Governments’ supports to get ride of the Kokoda Track Authority without initially involving any Landowners and Communities and our other PNG stakeholders. Now I fully understand your true intention in continuously critising the KTA so I kindly ask you to attend this Forum.

In the Kokoda Track Tour Operator Forum in Port Moresby last week Thursday (6^th November), about 106 landowners and representative of Tour Operating Companies attend the end of the season Tour Operator Forum in Crown Palaza.

Apart from discussing the agendas of the Forum, they agreed that commencing next year , any Tour Operator that does not attend KTA Tour Operator Forums must not be allowed by the KTA and Landowners to operator along the Kokoda Track.

The KTA has upheld that decision, and as a landowner along the Kokoda Track, I will implement that decision within KTA come next year. Charlie, work with KTA along the Kokoda Track or go some else and do your business. Very disappointed.

James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

9 November 2014: Response from James Enage Re KTA Forum in Brisbane

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@kokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Sunday, 9 November 2014 10:42 AM
To: James Enage
Cc: Feros, Kate; Mark Nizette (mark.nizette@gmail.com); ‘Warren Bartlett (sogent@sogerilodge.com)’; chad Sherrin (chad@kokodatreks.com.au); ‘Artie Jacobson’; ‘Peter Okwechime’
Subject: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear James,
Thank you for sending through the agenda for your KTA Forum to be held in Brisbane on 14 November. The agenda does not address any of our concerns in regard to the management of the trail. For example:

Campsite Bookings
This is a fundamental requirement of any credible management system and the refusal of the KTA to address this issue is beyond our understanding. I believe 2015 will see a significant increase in the number of trekkers – Air Niugini flights for 25 April are already fully booked. How is the KTA going to manage the increase? We have booked the campsites we have invested in and we do not have the capacity to share. What will happen if another group or a number of groups arrive at Ofi Creek on the same night during the Anzac trekking period? The campsite has a capacity for only 30 trekkers. This issue must be addressed before the commencement of the 2015 trekking season.

Campsite Audits
The campsite owners the KTA was established to protect are missing out on more than K100,000 per trekking season because unscrupulous trek operators are not paying the full amount of the campsite fees owing to them. There is a simple solution available and those of us who do have a genuine interest in the welfare of your people cannot understand why the KTA continues to ignore it.Battlesite Payments
Landowners of significant sites are missing out on at least K150,000 per trekking season because of the failure of the KTA to collect a site fee in advance and deposit it in their bank accounts. Why the KTA refuses to protect the income of these landowners is beyond our understanding.

Welfare of PNG Guides and Carriers
The KTA continues to turn a blind eye to the exploitation of Koiari and Orokaiva guides they are supposed to represent. Unscrupulous trek operators continue to force them to carry excess weight and do not provide adequate food, uniforms/sleeping bags/mats or emergency equipment such as satphones for emergency purposes. This is well below an acceptable standard for a world class trekking destination! The solution is simple – the KTA should implement a system which allows for at least two guides/carriers to be engaged for each trekker – if the trek operator has not arranged for a half-way drop then at least three guides/carriers should be engaged. This would lighten their loads and create additional employment. PNG guides should be paid their daily rate up until the time they are paid. Why the KTA continues to ignore the welfare needs of the people they are supposed to represent is beyond our understanding.

Trail Maintenance
The environmental degradation along the trail is an issue of serious concern to those of us who have a dinkum interest in the protection of the environment. Safety in regard to creek crossings is also a continuing concern. The solution is simple. Allocate responsibility for sections of the trail to local landowners and pay them to repair during the period November-April each year and maintain it for the rest of the year. A simple bridge built with local material with a couple of hand rails should not be that difficult to design.

Toilets
The toilets are well below the standard required of a world-class trekking destination. Some are putrid. The solution is simple and the fact that the KTA has never sought to understand the requirements of trekkers is beyond our understanding.

Governance
The lack of governance within the KTA is unacceptable. Adventure Kokoda has paid K140,000 in trek fees in 2014. We are not aware of a single benefit we have received from this payment – we still observe unlicensed trek operators; groups trekking without an operator; lone trekkers; etc. etc Included in this amount is a K2000 marketing levy. The total amount collected from the marketing levy in 2014 will be more than K150,000. Despite this trekker numbers continue to decrease. Our requests for a detailed report on the expenditure of the marketing levy continues to be ignored. We therefore conclude that it is a KTA slush fund.

The agenda for the forum indicates that the KTA continues to operate in a parallel universe to the reality of the trekking industry on the trail.

This is a pity because there is a need for a professional management body however this will never be achieved while you continue to ignore the two most important elements of a sustainable world class trekking industry i.e. the professional trek operators, the paying customers; and the people who own the land along the trail between Owers Corner and Kokoda.

I note the title for the forum is ‘Shaping the Future Now’.

I don’t believe anybody can shape the future if they have no understanding of the past – are continue to ignore the reality of the present.

We will obviously not participate in workshops and forums that address the issues that concern us and the villagers along the trail – unfortunately the agenda for this forum does not do this.

We there decline the invitation to attend.

Best regards,
Charlie

From: James ENAGE [mailto:jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org]
Sent: Monday, 10 November 2014 9:00 AM
To: ‘Charlie Lynn’
Cc: ‘Feros, Kate’; ‘Mark Nizette’; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘chad Sherrin’; ‘Artie Jacobson’; ‘Peter Okwechime’; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Lane, Sharon’
Subject: RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear Charlie,

KTA Board comprises highly credible PNG Government Officials such as the current Secretary for Department of Provincial Affairs and Local Level Government, Secretary for Department of Environment and Conservation, CEO of PNG TPA, Provincial Administrator of Oro and Central Province, President of Koiari and Kokoda Local Level Government Councils and also the Koiari and Biage landowners representative from the Kokoda Track on the KTA Board.

On quarterly basis, I work with my Finance & Administration Manager to provide to Management Activity and Financial Reports to the KTA Board. Meaning that all stakeholders have the opportunity to have access to the KTA Activity and Financial Reports. It is their responsible to further provide those reports to their sphere of responsibilities or those they represent.

Hence, KTA has always been transparent but you continue to undermine the arrangement that the PNG Government has put in place by basically attempting to create your own Military History Authority to replace KTA in the future for your own commercial interest.

Charlie, we have been working tirelessly on some of the issues mentioned in the past but as I have repeatedly mentioned to you, funding is an issue facing us right now. Without PNG Government funding to KTA and also Australian Government KI Team wrongly withholding our project funds for the last one year (12 months), we have simply used all the available funding and the Marketing funds to maintain Australian Government funded positions within KTA (Excluding KTA Business Advisor position).

Furthermore, we have participated in supporting the “Do Kokoda Campaign” Launch in April this year, driven by PNG TPA to promote the Kokoda Track in general and grow the Kokoda Track business shares in the future . What more can I do when the welfare of the KTA staff are compromised? At present , finance is the issue for KTA to do more.

For the Tour Operator Forum, KTA has always contacted Tour Operators for agendas for the forum, and I believe you were also contacted. Despite our efforts to contact Tour Operators earlier, no Tour Operators provided an agenda response but around 18 Australian Tour Operators confirmed their attendance for the Brisbane Forum this time.

Everything you raised at the last minute will all be discuss during the Forum in Brisbane and we will work to find ways forward in addressing these issues. The resolutions reached at the Port Moresby Tour Operators’ forum will also be presented in the Brisbane Forum.

We have all done our part in contributing to the Livelihoods of the local people along the Kokoda Track over the years and we will both go ahead and continue arguing about it all day.

However, the Kokoda Track Tour Operator Forum is the appropriate avenue where we arise our concerns, issues, agendas and gauge people’s views about these matters.

The Tour Operators are also given opportunities to raise any other issues of concern apart from available agendas so that KTA can take note of these issues and address them where and when appropriate. Hence, we have included an extra day for the Australian Tour Operators to discuss issues of pressing concern in an informal meeting

if issues are not sufficiently addressed in the Formal Tour Operator Forum.

Charlie, I am honestly now tired of your last minute protest but I think I can now truly understand your motives.

The landowners and all the other Tour Operators in Port Moresby have voiced their concern, and as a landowner and KTA CEO, I will work with the Kokoda Track Tour Operators that work with PNG Government established KTA Board and Management and get ride of all those Tour Operator that are not willing to work with KTA but are coming to Kokoda Track just for commercial gain.

Since 2008 when the new PNG Government KTA Board assumed responsibility, there has not been any landowners’ track closures and all the Tour Operators have been enjoying the benefit of having un interrupted trekking business and making money. Despite our keen interest to address and solve all the issues within the Kokoda Track Trekking Industry and currently been affected by funding issues,

I hope you appreciate the KTA’s continuous endeavour to ensure that the majority of the landowners and communities are happy to allow the Kokoda Track to be open for you all to continue to operate your trekking business.

If you are not happy , then I advise you to go some else and do your business.

Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

10 November 2014: Email from Warren Bartlett to James Enage re KTA Board Issues

From. Warren Bartlett <sogent@global.net.pg>
To. ‘James ENAGE’ <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>; Charlie Lynn <charlie@kokodatreks.com.au>
Cc. ‘Feros, Kate’ <Kate.Feros@environment.gov.au>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Artie Jacobson’ <artie.jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Peter Okwechime’ <advisor@kokodatrackauthority.org>; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’ <dguina@dplga.gov.pg>; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Lane, Sharon’ Sharon.Lane@environment.gov.au
Date. Mon 10/11/2014 1:45 PM
Subject. RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear James,
One thing is lacking with the KTA Board. When the KTA Constitution was proclaimed in 2003, there was representation from the PNG RSL (Chris Warrillow) and the Tour Operators (through the President of the PNGTIA, Gary Seddon).

Surely these bodies, and particularly Tour Operators, deserve a position on the KTA Board as without the trekking industry, Kokoda Trail initiatives would be just another hand-out situation.

Tour/Trek Operators are an asset to KTA and therefore their participation through active walking of the Kokoda Trail and associations with the Koiari and Orokaiva leaders and communities would be beneficial to all stakeholders.

On the funding issue, I strongly support the increase of Trek Fees to K500 per international trekker with NO DISCOUNT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT / CHILDREN TREKKERS, with K500,000 per annum being budgeted for KTA recurrent expenditure from trek fees (anticipated to be K1.5 million for 3000 trekkers).

On the issue of a PNG Military History Corporation, I believe such could be set up on a commercial basis to encourage military tourism of many battlefield sites in PNG – Kokoda, Northern Beaches, Rabaul, Bougainville, Morobe, Madang, Milne Bay, Port Moresby, etc. Kokoda took the initiative and now it is time to encourage more Americans, Japanese and Australians to visit PNG as tourists to these historical, cultural, sporting and adventure sites.

KTA would assumedly take a leading role in and any such new developments. PNG must move with the times as it is now part of the international community.

Forget about parochialism and lets develop Tourism for PNG like other Pacific nations have done in their countries.

We are with you James – just trying to awaken the sleeping tourism giant – we expect you to be part of it!

Best Regards
Warren Bartlett

10 November 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Forum – Brisbane

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@kokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Monday, 10 November 2014 12:02 AM
To: James ENAGE
Cc: ‘Feros, Kate’; ‘Mark Nizette’; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘chad Sherrin’; ‘Artie Jacobson’; ‘Peter Okwechime’; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org
Subject: RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear James,
A major issue of concern we have is the lack of transparency with the management of the KTA.

The trek fees you mention have been paid by trekkers who expect a basic return on their investment – they expect safe bridges and hygienic ablution facilities. They also expect that their trek operator will be able to secure their campsites with a confirmed booking and that the local environment will be protected. The current situation is that there are bridges that are unsafe, toilets that are putrid, there is no campsite booking system in place and the trail in the Templeton’s Crossing – Eora Creek area has been seriously degraded.

I appreciate that large amounts of funds have supposedly been spent along the trail however I am also not aware of a single outcome from such projects as the KTA Village Livelihoods Program. I am not aware of a single Kina being generated as a result of the money that has been invested in it. I would appreciate your advice in this regard so that I can verify the information on my next trek later this month.

We are also unaware of how the marketing levy imposed by the KTA has been spend because trekker numbers have declined each year since it was imposed. In the interests of transparency there should be a detailed statement publicly available.

We pay our guides and carriers the rate recommended by the KTA. We also provide them with a full trek uniform, a sleeping bag and mat and limit the weight of their backpacks to 18 kg (rather than the 22 kg recommended by the KTA). We provide them with supermarket food on the same scale as we issue to our trekkers. We also provide them with a day’s pay as a bonus at the end of each trek and a return airfare of cash equivalent to return home. Our trekkers donate an average of $200 in clothing, boots and gear to the guides and carriers at the end of each trek and any remaining medical gear is donated to the Sogeri Health Centre. We also fund Network Kokoda which is providing fresh produce for boarding students and Sogeri National High School and Iaowari High School and support agricultural programs in 8 other villages on the Sogeri Plateau. We have built a Community Centre at Abuari and have just approved the purchase of materials for two more centres for the Anglican Mothers Group at Kokoda. On my recent trek we donated approximately K3,000 worth of school supplies and sporting goods to the Efogi Community.

You should also be aware that we contract a PNG Company, Sogeri Enterprises, to provide all of our accommodation, transport, guides, carriers, charter aircraft, food and campsite fees in accordance with your KTA requirements. I believe Sogeri Enterprises comply with all of the requirements of the KTA.

Campsite owners along the trail are not being paid the full amount due to them – nor are the owners of significant sites along the trail. There is no register which records the names of trek operators together with the numbers of trekkers and PNG guides and carriers. As a result of this lack of a Campsite Register – suggested by us at numerous forums in the past – there is no way of conducting an audit. So nobody knows the extent of the money they are losing.

I am not sure how the KTA can assess the trekking industry if they never trek with the people who generate the income for the industry and the paying customers. We had one group of KTA Board Members trek with us in 2007 and it was a positive experience for all concerned as we were able to have dialogue with each of the campsite owners along the trail and the trekkers we able to discuss their expectations. We have not had a single representative from the KTA trek with us since Rod Hillman arrived and began the process of doing secret deals with rogue trek operators. This industry has not recovered since then.

Will you be circulating a copy of the minutes of the forum held in Port Moresby? I assume the requirement for trek operators to attend forums will be written into the Licensing Conditions and Code of Conduct. I would appreciate some clarification on whether they will be required to just attend and listen or whether they will be required to contribute to the forum. If they just attend without contributing how will the KTA determine if that is an effective attendance?

You should also be aware that since 2008 Adventure Kokoda has paid approximately K1 million to the KTA in trek fees; more than K4 million in wages to our guides and carriers; and more than K1 million in campsite fees along the trek. We have invested in all the campsites we stay in.

You will recall that we also invested K20,000 in the KTA to get it established despite serious objections from most other trek operators. We established both the Kokoda Track Foundation and Network Kokoda which have provided significant benefits to your people along the trail. We have generated more positive publicity for the Kokoda trekking industry than any other agency.

All we have ever wanted is an effective management system for the Kokoda trekking industry and a level playing field for all trek operators.

If there is a system for booking campsites then I would appreciate the details.

We are happy to work with the KTA but we need to see you out on the trail. I will be trekking later this month and again in January. You are welcome to join us at our expense. This will provide us with a good opportunity to meet face to face with our guides, carriers, campsite owners and other landowners to discuss outstanding issues.

Best regards,
Charlie

10 November 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Management Issues

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@kokodatreks.com.au]
Sent: Monday, 10 November 2014 1:50 PM
To: James ENAGE
Cc: ‘Feros, Kate’; ‘Mark Nizette’; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘chad Sherrin’; ‘Artie Jacobson’; ‘Peter Okwechime’; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Lane, Sharon’
Subject: RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear James,

Thank you for your response and the additional information. I appreciate that you were an unwitting victim of the Rod Hillman era which saw the KTA move from an open transparent body to a closed shop.

Rod Hillman and the Australian management team failed you and the trekking industry by not developing and implementing proper management systems supported by the necessary legislation.

The only beneficiaries from the whole exercise since 2008 is the veritable army of Australian consultants and do-gooders who were sent to PNG to recommend solutions to problems they will never understand.

It is a classic case study in boomerang aid.

I appreciate the expertise of the KTA Board however it does not appear that you have a Member from a commercial/business background. If this is the case then I would recommend that you seek a person with such expertise who can advise you on the commercial aspects of running a business enterprise in PNG.

I am obviously concerned at the lack of funding support from the Australian and PNG Government.

Both Governments are receiving more than enough GST revenue from the Kokoda trekking industry (around K3 million per year) to adequately fund the professional operation of the KTA.

I remain sceptical about the value of the ‘Do Kokoda’ campaign in view of the fact that trekker the 2014 numbers are down by almost 13% from the same period last year. Once again it was developed without any consultation with the professional trek operators and was pitched at the wrong market.

If PNG Tourism and Air Niugini combined their marketing resources towards PNG as a safe, exotic adventure destination (which it is) then individual adventure tour operators in trekking, surfing, diving, traditional culture, etc could market their individual packages to complement a national campaign.

PNG is still waiting to happen as a world class adventure destination.

There is much scope to improve the income to the KTA and increase benefits to the local villagers. These include:

. an increase in trek fees;
. the introduction of a peak season fee structure;
. a system of advance payments for significant sites which would go directly into the owners bank accounts;
. a campsite audit system to ensure owners receive the proper amount due;
. a dramatic increase in trek fees for charities such as the Kokoda Challenge who stole the idea and use the name ‘Kokoda’ to raise more than K2 million each year for youth projects on the Gold Coast; etc.

These is also much scope in increasing the income of landowners, guides and carriers during the off-trekking season by employing them to maintain sections of the track that run through their particular areas. This includes:

. the building and maintenance of safe bridges with handrail
. placing corduroy footings in swamp areas;
. cutting alternate north and south treks in places where there is serious environmental degradation to allow such sections to regenerate; etc
. There is also scope for increasing the size of the footprint trekkers would like to leave behind by encouraging them to donate to health, education and agricultural projects.

The higher the level of transparency in such projects the higher will be the donations trekkers will make.

This is not a last minute protest James – we only received the agenda two days ago.

An agenda for an annual forum should be distributed at least one month in advance to allow people to plan their own itineraries accordingly.

I am also aware of the work you and the KTA have undertaken to keep the track open since 2008 and I commend you for this. We appreciate the challenges you have in this regard. There is no doubt that the failure of Australian government representatives to assist in putting a proper management system in place since 2008 has placed you and your management team at a serious disadvantage.

I believe the Australian and PNG Governments are responsible for providing the infrastructure that will ensure trekkers can complete their pilgrimage safely (maintain the road to Owers Corner, maintain airfields at Efogi and Kokoda; maintain an effective VHF communications system) and develop a master memorial plan to interpret the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign and the culture of the Koiari and Orokaiva people who live across it.

I first expressed this desire in a paper I submitted to the Australian government in 1994 – well before Kokoda appeared on the radar as a trekking destination.

I also developed the idea of a management authority to ensure villagers along the trail received shared benefits from trekking and that such a body be developed as a model for a wartime tourism industry in PNG. I advanced K20,000 to ensure it became a viable management body.

I have also funded the establishment of Network Kokoda which is providing fresh produce to around 700 students, many from villages along the trail, at Sogeri and Iaowari.

Last week I met with the Managing Director of Sanitarium in Sydney to explore the opportunity of starting a breakfast program for students at Bisiatabu. We have also placed a large amount of educational and sporting supplies into your village of Efogi this year. You will recall that we were the only trek operator that contributed to your KTA rugby league tour to the Gold Coast a couple of years ago. I therefore reject your assertion that we are motivated purely by commercial gain and I am happy for you to compare our contribution to the trekking industry and to your people along the trail with any other trek operator.

Our only motive in regard to the KTA is to have a level playing field for all trek operators. I will contact Chad Sherrin in Brisbane to see if he is available to catch up with you while you are in Brisbane and possible attend the forum on our behalf.

I would be happy to meet up with you if you are able to make it down to Sydney while you are in Australia. I would also like you to consider joining a trek I will be leading either later this month or in January – I think this would lead to a much better mutual understanding of the issues we need to address as partners in the industry.

Thanks again for your responses James and I look forward to catching up.

Best regards,
Charlie

10 November 2014: Email from Warren Bartlett to James Enage re KTA Board Issues

From. Warren Bartlett <sogent@global.net.pg>
To. ‘James ENAGE’ <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>; Charlie Lynn <charlie@kokodatreks.com.au>
Cc. ‘Feros, Kate’ <Kate.Feros@environment.gov.au>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Artie Jacobson’ <artie.jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Peter Okwechime’ <advisor@kokodatrackauthority.org>; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’ <dguina@dplga.gov.pg>; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Lane, Sharon’ Sharon.Lane@environment.gov.au
Date. Mon 10/11/2014 1:45 PM Subject. RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear James,
One thing is lacking with the KTA Board.

When the KTA Constitution was proclaimed in 2003, there was representation from the PNG RSL (Chris Warrillow) and the Tour Operators (through the President of the PNGTIA, Gary Seddon). Surely these bodies, and particularly Tour Operators, deserve a position on the KTA Board as without the trekking industry, Kokoda Trail initiatives would be just another hand-out situation.

Tour/Trek Operators are an asset to KTA and therefore their participation through active walking of the Kokoda Trail and associations with the Koiari and Orokaiva leaders and communities would be beneficial to all stakeholders.

On the funding issue, I strongly support the increase of Trek Fees to K500 per international trekker with NO DISCOUNT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT / CHILDREN TREKKERS, with K500,000 per annum being budgeted for KTA recurrent expenditure from trek fees (anticipated to be K1.5 million for 3000 trekkers).

On the issue of a PNG Military History Corporation, I believe such could be set up on a commercial basis to encourage military tourism of many battlefield sites in PNG – Kokoda, Northern Beaches, Rabaul, Bougainville, Morobe, Madang, Milne Bay, Port Moresby, etc. Kokoda took the initiative and now it is time to encourage more Americans, Japanese and Australians to visit PNG as tourists to these historical, cultural, sporting and adventure sites.

KTA would assumedly take a leading role in and any such new developments. PNG must move with the times as it is now part of the international community. Forget about parochialism and lets develop Tourism for PNG like other Pacific nations have done in their countries.

We are with you James – just trying to awaken the sleeping tourism giant – we expect you to be part of it!

Best Regards
Warren Bartlett

10 November 2014: Email from Peter Vincent CEO TPA to Charlie Lynn

From: Peter Vincent [mailto:peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel]
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 4:53 PM
To: Charlie Lynn; ‘James ENAGE’; ‘Alcinda Trawen’
Cc: ‘Feros, Kate’; ‘Mark Nizette’; ‘Warren Bartlett’; ‘chad Sherrin’; ‘Artie Jacobson’; ‘Peter Okwechime’; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Lane, Sharon’
Subject: RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear Charlie.
I note your email exchanges with James today regarding the ongoing issues along the Kokoda Trek. TPA Director Policy and Planning Ms Alcinda Trawen will be attending the Forum in Brisbane followed by a quick visit to Sydney next week and she will be there until Thursday next week. We are happy to pick up James costs and get down to Sydney next week. This will allow both Alcinda and James to sit with you and discuss some of the ongoing issues you are raising along the Kokoda Trek. Can you please confirm you availability from Tuesday next week.
Kind regards.
Peter

10 November 2014: Email from Warren Bartlett to James Enage re KTA Management Issues

From. Warren Bartlett <sogent@global.net.pg>
Cc. ‘Feros, Kate’ <Kate.Feros@environment.gov.au>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Artie Jacobson’ <artie.jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Peter Okwechime’ <advisor@kokodatrackauthority.org>; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’ <dguina@dplga.gov.pg>; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org
Date. Mon 10/11/2014 12:04 PM RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Dear James,
I understand the angst created by recent emails and would suggest the following:

Since the inception of KTA in 2003 as a Local Government Authority of the Koiari and Kokoda Local Level Governments, there has never been any funding by the PNG Government (or Australian Government) to meet the recurrent expenses of KTA.

In 2003, the Minister for Provincial and Local Government Affairs (Inter-Government Relations), Sir Peter Barter, advised that KTA would need to meet its recurrent expenditure through a proportion of Trek Fees.

Trek fees started at K100 per trekker, then increased to K200, and currently K350.00.

You advised me recently that KTA is struggling to meet its commitments, both in the administration of the office and the Kokoda Trail because the Australian Government was not happy with the recent audit conducted by Ernst & Young, Chartered Accountants, and had withheld most of 2014 funding for KTA.

Track maintenance including vital maintenance of the KTA VHF radios was a serious concern for the safe passage of trekkers and their team of guides and porters. I would suggest that if Australia is not prepared to assist with the recurrent expenditure of its Kokoda Trail icon, then the only option is for trekking fees to be increased to K500 per trekker (AU$230) and NO discount for international students or children.

PNG residents and students / children under 18 years of age are to be charged 50% of the international trekking fee (K250).

The current trekker numbers average 3,000 per annum which would raise K1,500,000 in trek fees. K500,000 would be allocated to the Recurrent Expenditure Budget of KTA, whilst K1,000,000 would be for track maintenance and Ward Development Committee allocations. This will put the cat amongst the pigeons to resolve this ongoing financial issue!

It is also suggested that the Australian Government, as part of its package to the Kokoda Initiative, provide the services of a part-time Field Supervisor (similar person to a Volka Schultz or Reg Yates) to assist management of KTA in rectifying the anomalies of the Kokoda Trekking industry such as camp and guest house standards and payments audit, toilets, shower facilities, water supplies, rubbish disposal, safe creek and river crossings, maintenance of degraded track sections, historical sites maintenance / landowner benefits, etc.

Such position would be more appropriate to an Australian officer involvement in the office administration. Furthermore, the Kokoda Initiative should give priority to having the Mt Koiari airstrips upgraded (especially Efogi) so that improved aircraft services will benefit the trekking industry with safe half-way drops and encourage economic development of the communities with trade store goods and passengers in and vegetables and coffee / vanilla out.

The Kokoda Trail appears to be over-capitalized with education and health buildings with the small population that requires them.

Each village should have an Elementary School with Menari and Kavovo having boarding primary schools. Serious attention should be given by Kokoda Initiative to upgrade Kokoda Primary School and Iarowari High School, both of which take students from the Kokoda Trail communities. I understand Charlie’s feelings and disappointment but realize that the issue emanates from a lack of funding of KTA by both PNG and Australian Governments.

As we are all aware, Charlie lives and loves Kokoda and the communities on the Kokoda Trail and will always do his utmost to improve their situation. He should really be attacking the Australian Government, who apparently chose not to reply to his emails or take any action after his meetings with them.

Does Australia want to maintain Kokoda as an icon referred to as “the battle that saved Australia” or let its fade into oblivion?

I would be happy for my suggestions above to be included in the Brisbane forum.

Best Regards
Warren Bartlett

11 November 2014: Email response from Peter Vincent re KTA Forum in Brisbane

From. Peter Vincent <peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel>
To. Charlie Lynn <charlie@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘James ENAGE’ <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>; ‘Alcinda Trawen’ <alcinda.trawen@papuanewguinea.travel>
Cc. ‘Feros, Kate’ <Kate.Feros@environment.gov.au>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; ‘Warren Bartlett’ <sogent@sogerilodge.com>; Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Artie Jacobson’ <artie.jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Peter Okwechime’ <advisor@kokodatrackauthority.org>; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’ <dguina@dplga.gov.pg>; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Lane, Sharon’ Sharon.Lane@environment.gov.au
Date. Tue 11/11/2014 Re.
RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014

Good morning Charlie.
This is wonderful. Reading from the email exchanges you have all agreed to meet in Sydney.

I think is important for us to discuss common issues raised by all the operators as you are dealing with the landowners and other stakeholders. I am hoping that both James and Alcinda can come away with plan/ strategy for action over the next maybe 5 years.

If you know someone or a company who can assist implement a number or all the projects please share with Alcinda and James.

I hear your comments about the ongoing Livelihood program and I do share the same views that the Livelihood Program has achieved its purpose and we should now move towards assisting the local communities living along trek with potential economic activities to sustain their lives rather than creating a handout mentality into the minds of the communities along the trek.

Peter.

14 November 2014: Email response from James Enage re KTA Forum – Brisbane

From: James ENAGE jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
To: Charlie Lynn charlie@tracie
RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014
cc. ‘Feros, Kate’ <Kate.Feros@environment.gov.au>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; ‘Warren Bartlett’ <sogent@sogerilodge.com>; Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Artie Jacobson’ <artie.jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Peter Okwechime’ <advisor@kokodatrackauthority.org>; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’ <dguina@dplga.gov.pg>; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org
Date: 9 November 2014 11:23 PM

Dear Charlie,
Take note that I am truly disappointed with the way you have been continuously going about complaining about the KTA Tour Operator Forum agendas and protesting not to attending these Forums in the past.

Since I took over KTA as the Chairman in 2008, and now the CEO, KTA in the last five (5) years has managed in a coordinated manner, unlike the past and delivered over K1.2 million trek fees plus in Ward Developments funds and Trek Maintenance Agreement payments to the landowners and local communities along the Kokoda Track. Furthermore, KTA has worked with the Australia Government and PNG Government stakeholders to deliver well over AUS$ 3.5 million plus worth of projects which are very visual which I feel greatly amaze to understand why you cannot accord some surprise and humble yourself to come and support the good course, the KTA, Australian Government and PNG Government is taking.

Charlie, KTA has already address most of the issues you mentioned and are working on solutions to addressing the others. In actual fact , the agendas in this year’s forum gives every stakeholder another opportunity to find better ways to collectively work together to improve the Kokoda Track Trekking Industry. KTA has always paid full attention to the welfare of our people and deal with Tour Operators that step out of line with local people (including guest house owners). I have always advised my people along the Kokoda Track to come and see me if they feel their welfare is not taken care of well. In cases where I had received complaints, I had always addressed these issues with the concern Tour Operators. If there is a Tour Operator that needs to be penalised , please be specific so that KTA can penalised them. Furthermore, Charlie, fix your house also, your porters and guides are complaining about their welfares to me also. They feel they are working for long hours and paid less. Also , KTA does not receive PNG Government Funding for its recurrent expenditures, so we do not have the capacity to do more.

The agendas we have this years has come out of the KTA’s assessment of the Trekking Industry and from our consultation with all the, communities , landowners, Guest House Owners and Tour Operators. Most of what you have stated are going to be addressed within this forum in Brisbane. I am not surprised that you are protesting again, and will not attend.

Charlie, I have been informed by Warren that you are working on some kind of Military History Authority in Australia to lobby both Australia and PNG Governments’ supports to get ride of the Kokoda Track Authority without initially involving any Landowners and Communities and our other PNG stakeholders. Now I fully understand your true intention in continuously critising the KTA so I kindly ask you to attend this Forum.

In the Kokoda Track Tour Operator Forum in Port Moresby last week Thursday (6^th November), about 106 landowners and representative of Tour Operating Companies attend the end of the season Tour Operator Forum in Crown Palaza. Apart from discussing the agendas of the Forum, they agreed that commencing next year , any Tour Operator that does not attend KTA Tour Operator Forums must not be allowed by the KTA and Landowners to operator along the Kokoda Track. The KTA has upheld that decision, and as a landowner along the Kokoda Track, I will implement that decision within KTA come next year.

Charlie, work with KTA along the Kokoda Track or go some else and do your business.

Very disappointed.

James Enage
Chief Executive Officer
Kokoda Track Authority
P: +675 323 6165 | F: +675 323 6020 | E: jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
“Managing the Track with Trust, Respect & Pride”
www.kokodatrackauthority.org

14 November 2014: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re KTA Forum – Brisbane

From: James ENAGE jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
To: Charlie Lynn charlie@tracie
RE: KTA Forum – Brisbane: 14 November 2014
‘Feros, Kate’ <Kate.Feros@environment.gov.au>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; ‘Warren Bartlett’ <sogent@sogerilodge.com>; Chad Sherrin <chad@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Artie Jacobson’ <artie.jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Peter Okwechime’ <advisor@kokodatrackauthority.org>; peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; ‘Dickson Guina’ <dguina@dplga.gov.pg>; operations@kokodatrackauthority.org; ‘Lane, Sharon’ <Sharon.Lane@environment.gov.au>
Date: 14 November 2014 2:49 PM

Dear Charlie,
KTA Board comprises highly credible PNG Government Officials such as the current Secretary for Department of Provincial Affairs and Local Level Government, Secretary for Department of Environment and Conservation, CEO of PNG TPA, Provincial Administrator of Oro and Central Province, President of Koiari and Kokoda Local Level Government Councils and also the Koiari and Biage landowners representative from the Kokoda Track on the KTA Board. On quarterly basis,

I work with my Finance & Administration Manager to provide to Management Activity and Financial Reports to the KTA Board. Meaning that all stakeholders have the opportunity to have access to the KTA Activity and Financial Reports. It is their responsible to further provide those reports to their sphere of responsibilities or those they represent. Hence, KTA has always been transparent but you continue to undermine the arrangement that the PNG Government has put in place by basically attempting to create your own Military History Authority to replace KTA in the future for your own commercial interest.

Charlie, we have been working tirelessly on some of the issues mentioned in the past but as I have repeatedly mentioned to you, funding is an issue facing us right now.

Without PNG Government funding to KTA and also Australian Government KI Team wrongly withholding our project funds for the last one year (12 months), we have simply used all the available funding and the Marketing funds to maintain Australian Government funded positions within KTA (Excluding KTA Business Advisor position).

Furthermore, we have participated in supporting the “Do Kokoda Campaign” Launch in April this year, driven by PNG TPA to promote the Kokoda Track in general and grow the Kokoda Track business shares in the future .

What more can I do when the welfare of the KTA staff are compromised?

At present , finance is the issue for KTA to do more. For the Tour Operator Forum, KTA has always contacted Tour Operators for agendas for the forum, and I believe you were also contacted.

Despite our efforts to contact Tour Operators earlier, no Tour Operators provided an agenda response but around 18 Australian Tour Operators confirmed their attendance for the Brisbane Forum this time. Everything you raised at the last minute will all be discuss during the Forum in Brisbane and we will work to find ways forward in addressing these issues.

The resolutions reached at the Port Moresby Tour Operators’ forum will also be presented in the Brisbane Forum. We have all done our part in contributing to the Livelihoods of the local people along the Kokoda Track over the years and we will both go ahead and continue arguing about it all day. However, the Kokoda Track Tour Operator Forum is the appropriate avenue where we arise our concerns, issues, agendas and gauge people’s views about these matters. The Tour Operators are also given opportunities to raise any other issues of concern apart from available agendas so that KTA can take note of these issues and address them where and when appropriate. Hence, we have included an extra day for the Australian Tour Operators to discuss issues of pressing concern in an informal meeting if issues are not sufficiently addressed in the Formal Tour Operator Forum.

Charlie, I am honestly now tired of your last minute protest but I think I can now truly understand your motives.

The landowners and all the other Tour Operators in Port Moresby have voiced their concern, and as a landowner and KTA CEO, I will work with the Kokoda Track Tour Operators that work with PNG Government established KTA Board and Management and get ride of all those Tour Operator that are not willing to work with KTA but are coming to Kokoda Track just for commercial gain.

Since 2008 when the new PNG Government KTA Board assumed responsibility, there has not been any landowners’ track closures and all the Tour Operators have been enjoying the benefit of having un interrupted trekking business and making money. Despite our keen interest to address and solve all the issues within the Kokoda Track Trekking Industry and currently been affected by funding issues, I hope you appreciate the KTA’s continuous endeavour to ensure that the majority of the landowners and communities are happy to allow the Kokoda Track to be open for you all to continue to operate your trekking business.

If you are not happy , then I advise you to go some else and do your business.

Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer
Kokoda Track Authority
P: +675 323 6165 | F: +675 323 6020 | E: jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org

30 April 2015: Email from Charlie Lynn to DFAT Strategic Advisor, Mark Nizette, and Oro Governor, Gary Juffa re Management of the Kokoda Trekking Industry

To. ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@icloud.com>; Gary Juffa <juffa@theeducatedsavage.com>
Cc. ‘Warren Bartlett (sogent@sogerilodge.com)’
Date: 30 April 2015
Subject: Management of the Kokoda Trekking Industry

Dear Mark and Gary,
I have attached a discussion paper I forwarded to James Enage on 11 January this year. It was neither acknowledged nor discussed and the suggestions were ignored.

We spent two days at a trek operators forum in March and agreed on urgent action that needed to be taken in preparation for the Centenary of Anzac trekking period.

Not one of the agreed actions was undertaken.

Our email follow ups to the KTA were ignored.

The entire KTA were AWOL during this period.

No rangers were present and trek operators were left to fend for themselves and also compete with unlicensed trek operators who continue to ignore the KTA with impunity.

The KTA is broken and we can no longer pretend that it has any relevance to the Kokoda trekking industry.

The attached paper calls for an effective management body, supported by legislation, to focus on the management of the Kokoda trekking industry which currently generates around K7 million per year.

Under the current system villagers along the trail are being robbed of the opportunity to earn at least an additional K1 million per trekking season.

The two essential components of a sustainable trekking industry are trek operators who generate the income for the industry and landowners who own the land over which they trek. The needs of both have been ignored to date.

Government is responsibility for infrastructure development – a master interpretative plan, the road to Owers Corner, airfields at Menari, Efogi, Kagi and Kokoda and communications.

The rest should be left to free enterprise with a management system that provides a level playing field for trek operators.

Government and NGS’s should be encouraged to relocate their philanthropic endeavours to other village areas that do not have the benefit of an income stream.

This avoids the development of a hand-out mentality along the trail as there are sufficient income earning opportunities currently available to them.

Our priority must therefore be to get the management of the trekking industry right – and the rest will follow.

I look forward to catching up tonight.

Best regards,
Charlie

Discussion Paper on the need to reform the KTA by Charlie Lynn

18 May 2015: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Outstanding trek fees owed by South Pacific Tours and Kokoda Spirit

From: Charlie Lynn
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2015 5:53 PM
To: James ENAGE (jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org)
Cc: ‘Marianna Ellingson’; Gary Juffa (juffa@theeducatedsavage.com); Mark Nizette (mark.nizette@gmail.com); Sumasy Singin OBE (cg@kundusyd.org); ‘Warren Bartlett (sogent@sogerilodge.com)’
Subject: Outstanding Trek Fees owed by South Pacific Tours and Kokoda Spirit

Dear James, I have been advised that Sydney Grammar School, one of the most exclusive schools in NSW, will be trekking Kokoda with South Pacific Tours in June/July. South Pacific Tours is owned by Ms Ruth Dicker who still owes the KTA K100,000 in outstanding trek fees.

She was the person who led the initiative to have your subsistence villagers along the trail provide a 50 per cent subsidy to wealthy Australian private school students. I believe the KTA is the only organisation in the world to tolerate such an immoral proposition and deny subsistence villagers their full entitlement. South Pacific Tour groups are among the most unprofessional tour groups on the trail. Ms Dicker does not provide her PNG guides with anything – no cap, no t-shirt, no sleeping bag, no sleeping mat. The PNG guides and carriers the KTA is supposed to represent have no defence against this exploitation because they want the work.

In addition to this Wayne Wetherall of Kokoda Spirit still owes the KTA up to K104,600 from the time he was caught smuggling 523 trekkers across the trail without trek permits in 2008. I do not accept the secret ‘arrangement’ he made with Rod Hillman at the time because Hillman did not have the authority to negotiate ‘arrangements’ that provided financial advantages to rogue trek operators. Such a secret arrangement between a government official and a private company would have been investigated by a corruption agency if it had happened in Australia.

If the KTA were to collect these outstanding trek fees from Ruth Dicker and Wayne Wetherall they could provide the following community support to your people along the trail:

1. Provide K15,000 for educational and health supplies to each village school along the trail, including Kokoda; OR
2.. Provide K10,000 for educational and health supplies to each village AND
3. initiate a breakfast program at Bisiatabu Primary School (where students walk from as far away as Owers Corner each day) OR
4. Build a ‘Community Learning Centre’ in each village along the trail and provide 10 sewing machines and cooking pots/utensils in each one; OR
5. Engage an Agricultural Field Officer and develop village agricultural projects at Kokoda, Kovello and Hoi along similar lines to what Network Kokoda has established at Sogeri. or fund whatever community based initiatives you think would benefit your communities.

Wetherall and Dicker will continue to treat you and the KTA with contempt until you take action to recover the outstanding funds they owe you.

I therefore request that the KTA take action to recover the outstanding debts from South Pacific Tours and Kokoda Spirit and advise them that no further trek permits will be issued until the outstanding amounts have been paid in full. Best regards,

Charlie Charlie Lynn OL
Adventure Kokoda
PO Box 303
Camden
NSW 2570
+614 39303 303
charlie@kokodatreks.com.au

31 July 2015: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Negative Publicity

From: Charlie Lynn [mailto:charlie@kokodatreks.com.au]
To: ‘James Enage’
Cc: ‘Gary Juffa’; ‘Mark Nizette’; ‘Artie Jacobsen’; ‘Frank Taylor’; ‘Warren Bartlett’
Sent: Friday, 31 July 2015 5:04 PM
Subject: Negative Publicity

Dear James,

This article has just appeared in Australia’s biggest bushwalking magazine:

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/kokoda-track-authority-under-fire-after-allegations-of-misuse-of-trekkers-fees-20150801-gipacl.html

This situation was predictable and preventable.

It was predicted in your tour operators forum in Sydney in March and would have been prevented if the KTA had taken the action we agreed upon.

In fact nothing has happened since that forum.

. Nothing happened to address the clash of campsite bookings in April.
. Nothing happened in regard to the control of trek permits – your office was still issuing them a day before the Centenary of Anzac trekking period.
. Nothing happened in regard to the ‘K50 Marketing Levy’ which has been misappropriated.

We have never received a copy of the minutes that were promised. The KTA has not published a newsletter for around 12 months. The rangers along the trail do not have a clue about what is going on.

Is anybody home?

Charlie

2 August 2015: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re Negative Publicity

From: James ENAGE <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>
To. Charlie Lynn
Cc. ‘Gary Juffa’ <juffa@theeducatedsavage.com>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; ‘Artie Jacobsen’ <artie.jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Frank Taylor’ <kokoda@arach.net.au>; ‘Warren Bartlett’ <sogent@sogerilodge.com>; ‘Peter Vincent’ peter.vincent@papuanewguinea.travel
Date. 2 August 2015
Subject. Re Negative Publicity

Charlie,
Accept the fact that you were the one who told and supported Martin to collect the fees in the first place, If you did not , things would have been a little bite different for the Industry now.

Accept the fact that we all need to resolve this matter as a united front.

Stop blaming the KTA for the problem and start getting to focus on how you will correct your mistake in encouraging Martin to collect a fee for accessing the battle field site in the first place.

This should be clearly communicated to both PNG and Australian Government because they working really hard with KTA to find a solution for this issue.

Try to be also grateful that KTA has done its best in ensuring that the Kokoda Track is still open for all Tour Operators to continue running their Tour businesses.

Let’s work together to resolve the Isurava issue.

James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

From: James ENAGE [mailto:jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org]
Sent: Sunday, 2 August 2015 5:57 PM
To: ‘Mark Nizette’
Cc: ‘gei raga’; ‘Peter Vincent’; ‘James Enage’; ‘Gunther Joku’; ‘Dr. Andrew Moutu’; ‘Hilton, Rodney’; ‘Dickson Guina’; ‘Monica Lopyui’; ‘Christopher Tabel’; ‘Matia, Isaac’; ‘James Sabi’; ‘garyjufa@yahoo.com’; ‘Peter Vincent’; ‘Jacobson, Artie’; ‘Michael O’KAVE’
Subject: RE: TWG Meeting Tuesday

Hello Team ,
I confirm my attendance for the Meeting on Tuesday. In the light of the discussions of other issues , the Kokoda Initiative Master Plan and the Isurava Battle Field issue which is affecting the Kokoda Track Trekking Industry and generating negative Publicity, and while all the blame is all on KTA , me and my management team on administrative issues,

I would like to seriously propose that we consider “ Conducting an Impact Assessment Study “ on all the Australian Government Funding of around $45 Million dollars and K21 Million Kina PNG Government PIP spend in the last three (3) Kokoda Initiative Joint Understanding to ascertain how much of these funds have been spend on the projects impacting the lives of the local people and the people especially in Isurava Battle Field and how much have been spent on administration.

These information will enable us to develop an effective KI Master Plan to avoid repeating the mistakes of the present and yester years.

Please let us critically consider what Martin is say, he is talking about collecting entry fees to the battle site to build better housing for his people, build airstrips , health and education infrastructure for his people because he feels, his people have missed out on the funding for such projects.

These are projects which can only be delivered by Australian & PNG Government funding under the Kokoda Initiative.

KTA does not have funding capacity to deliver such projects at the scale which Martin is complaining about. KTA annually allocates and provides a total of K19,000 Trek fees to the Isurava Ward communities, that is the reason why the Kokoda Track is still open for Tour Operators to continue operating and doing their business along the Kokoda Track, despite the setback in entering the Isurava Battle Field site which is a site that sits on the customarily land owned by Martin and his people. If he is complaining about not been engaged to do Track Maintenance work , then that is an issue which is within KTA’s capacity and the Tour Operators can blame KTA, me and my management team. Martin, has made his stand based on projects that are within the current Kokoda Initiatives capacity and he is collecting the entry fees to the Battle Field Site. Australian people will now be wondering what the Australian Government is doing with their tax payments that are allocated to fund projects along the Kokoda Track, and why the people in Isurava are collecting entry fees to implement community development projects when millions of Australian Government funding is invested along the Kokoda Track.Going back to my point, lets immediately organise to “Conduct an Impact Assessment Study on the previous years’ Australian Government $45 Million dollars and $21 Million PNG Government PIP funds to ascertain if the Isurava people and the people along the Kokoda Track have fully benefited out of all those funds and decide where we go from here. Until we do that we cannot fully comprehend the issues that are current affecting the Kokoda Track and landowners. Let us consider “ Conducting an Impact Assessment Study” immediately on the previous years’ funding” as one of our agendas in our Tuesday meeting. I will be making my response to the Australian Media this week about the current negative publicity that is in the Australian Papers about the Isurava Issue, thus affecting the KTA , me and my management team. Best Regards, James Enage Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

3 August 2015: Email from James Enage to Tour Operators

From. James ENAGE <jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org>
To. Charlie Lynn <charlie@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Frank Taylor’ <kokoda@arach.net.au>; ‘Warren Bartlett’ <sogent@sogerilodge.com>; aidan@ourspirit.com.au; david@kokodahistorical.com.au; ‘John Miles’ <jmiles.ee@gmail.com>; ‘Jim Drapes’ <jim@backtrack.com.au>; Gail@matryx.com.pg; ‘Ian Rockwell’ <rocky@boomerangadventures.com.au>; ‘Wayne Fitcher’ <wayne@getawaytrekking.com>; ‘Sue Fitcher’ <sue@getawaytrekking.com>; peterr@noroads.com.au; shane@escapetrekkingadventures.com.au; ‘Kokoda Spirit’ kokodaspirit@bigpond.com
Date. Mon 3/08/2015 12:06 PM
Subject. FW: Negative Publicity in Australian Media- Isurava Battle Field Site

My dear friends,

In the light of the recent negative publicity on the issue of landowners collecting entry fees of K50 to the Isurava Battle Field site , KTA , myself and the KTA Management Team have been mentioned as responsible for causing this issue. Please refer to my email below and the attachment and ask yourself if KTA was initially responsible for creating and raising the Isurava and Conns Rock landowners expectations and now we are faced with the fee collection issues for entry to these sites.

For the information on the detail use of the $45 million Australian Government Funding and PNG Government funding of K21 million in PIP allocated to Kokoda Initiative Program since 2008 till 2014 , and information of KI funding for this year, please forward all to your enquiries to Kokoda Initiative Strategic Advisor at the PNG Conservation & Environment Protection Authority.

About the Marketing Fees, for those who have attend the Tour Operator Forum, I did explain that the KTA had used those fees to pay for all the Australian Government Funded Staff Salary positions within KTA for 1 year & 6 months period when Australian Government failed to fund KTA because of ill advice from advisors. Furthermore, I said that those funds will be reimbursed, when KTA receives its Australian Government and PNG Government funding this year. However, in the news in Australia, it was never communicate that way.

I will provide my media response to the Australian media this week and then I will decide on my future continuity with the Kokoda Track Authority afterwards. I will inform you all of my decision in the near future.

Please read the email below and provide your thoughts. Also , please forward this email to other Tour Operators , I have missed out on copying.
Best Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

13 December 2016: Email from James Enage to Anges Re Kokoda Initiative Technical Working Group Draft Minutes

From: James ENAGE jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
To. ‘Agnes Bevi’ <abevi@dec.gov.pg>
Cc. ‘Gunther Joku’ <gjoku@dec.gov.pg>; geiguniraga@gmail.com; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org; jjduhubeorognvrsoffice@gmail.com; Tim.Bryson@dfat.gov.au; ‘Damena, Veronika’ <Veronika.Damena@dfat.gov.au>; ‘Alice Kuaningi’ <alice.kuaningi@papuanewguinea.travel>; michael.taia@papuanewguinea.travel; Charlie Lynn <charlie@kokodatreks.com.au>; ‘Frank’ <frankhtaylor@amnet.net.au>; amoutu@gmail.com; Artie.Jacobson@environment.gov.au; kokoda@arach.net.au; ‘James Sabi’ <jsabi@dec.gov.pg>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; james.sabi.roaming@gmail.com; ‘Ainesa Kole’ <akole@dec.gov.pg>; dgutuma@museumpng.gov.pg
Date. Tue 13/12/2016
Subject. RE: KI TWG DRAFT MINUTES

Hi Agnes,
Thank you for sending us the meeting minutes. Also , I would like to thank everyone who have attended the meeting that generated this meeting minutes which Agnes has circulated to us all. That meeting was a great meeting. However, I would like to state that point number 2 of the meeting minutes is not true, incorrect and should be corrected. Hence, I stopped at point 2 and did not read the rest of the minutes simply because I do not accepted the meeting minutes..

To be exactly correct , it should be stated, something like this: “ Gunther Joku said that Kokoda Initiatives operates under three (3) Pillars which is Track Management , People and Environment. Due to the fact that there is limited funding , and with K1.5 Million Kokoda Initiative PIP Funding available for future use, Gunther said the KI team will prioritise on how to use these available KI PIP funds. To move forward , Gunther said he makes the decision to give priority and all the available KI funding to Track Management and Livelihoods and he will be sourcing out funding for KI Environment Programs within the CEPA and other available avenues.

He further stated that because of the Kokoda Track 75^th Anniversary, all the available PIP Funding should instead be given to Track Management”.

For everyone that attend this meeting, you will agree with what I am saying above. The question is, what is my point. Well my point is that section of the meeting minutes are incorrect and whoever that wrote the meeting minutes has decided to disregard correct statements of the meeting minutes and applied their incorrect views about the meeting minutes , thus, accommodating their personnel views which do not reflect the correct records of the meeting minutes.

The above is a clear example of what has transpired over the years in terms of KI Reports which has come out and has reflected major negative perception issues on KTA as an organisation by someone in CEPA who cleverly manipulates words to try to influence the Consultation Report outcomes, portraying negative views about KTA within the Kokoda Initiative Program.

I say CEPA simply because KI Consultation Reports and Meetings Minutes are generated out of CEPA. KTA has suffered a perception issues in the pass and at present times because this continued attitude is not corrected within CEPA. Classical examples are the outcomes of Kokoda Initiative Mid Term Review Report of 2014 and Kokoda Initiative Draft Master Plan which definitely did not correctly reflect what was communicated by KTA Management to consultants who were involved in writing up of these documents.

To this date, KTA Management do not accept what is written in KI draft Master Plan, because what is written there do not reflect the true essence of KTA status and aspirations communicated to the KI engaged consultants involved in developing the KI Master Plan.

Gunther , the above attitude in distorting words and not reflecting the true words used in consultation and KI Stakeholders meeting especially on matters relating to KTA and Track Management and Livelihoods of the Kokoda Track people is definitely hurting our relationship because the correct words and un true statements just continues to misrepresents the truth and disappoints me.

Please whoever in CEPA, that is distorting words from meeting Minutes and Consultation reports better stop this attitude to give true records of meetings minutes and consultation reports. Otherwise, Gunther, please just remove whoever that is doing this and relocate them to other sections of CEPA to protect our working relationship.

Please correct the meetings minutes section referred to by me for me to progress with the reading of it.

For future KI meetings, I recommend that 2 or 3 minute takers be appointed for KI Meeting Minutes taking purpose to eventually compare notes and arrive with the final outcome of correct meeting minutes records. Also use Dictaphones to assist with keeping verbal records of the meeting minutes in future to refer to them when writing meeting minutes.
Best Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

20 February 2017: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re

From: James ENAGE jenage@kokodatrackauthority.org
To. Charlie Lynn Cc. sogent@global.net.pg; ‘Jerry Agus’ <jerry.agus@papuanewguinea.travel>; ‘Gunther Joku’ <gjoku@dec.gov.pg>; gei_raga@central.gov.pg; geiguniraga@gmail.com; dguina@dplga.gov.pg; ‘Bryson, Tim’ <Tim.Bryson@dfat.gov.au>; ‘Jacobson, Artie’ <Artie.Jacobson@environment.gov.au>; ‘Mark Nizette’ <mark.nizette@gmail.com>; ‘Michael O’KAVE’ <operations@kokodatrackauthority.org>; ‘Tausi ALEKEVU’ finance@kokodatrackauthority.org
Date. Mon 20/02/2017
Subject. Dissemination of false information & deformation against KTA

Charlie ,
Thank you for the National Newspaper article, page 11 on Friday 10^th of February, 2017.

There’s serious false allegation against KTA by you so KTA Management will see a lawyer to take you to court for dissemination of false information and serious deformation against KTA.

Prepare go to the courts in PNG. I reframe from talking to you as of this email. See you in the PNG Courts soon.

Best Regards,
James Enage
Chief Executive Officer Kokoda Track Authority

15 November 2017: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Questions from Port Moresby & Cairns Tour Operator Forums

From: Charlie Lynn
To: James Enage
Cc: ‘Michael O’Kave’; Warren Bartlett; Mark Nizette; Tracie Watson (tracie@kokodatreks.com.au<mailto:tracie@kokodatreks.com.au>)
Sent: Wednesday, 15 November 2017 11:54 PM
Subject: Questions re Port Moresby and Cairns Tour Operator Forums

Dear James,
I hope your forum in Cairns went well.

Can you please advise me of the result of the vote on the following motions that were put on notice at our forum in Port Moresby?

1.            The unanimous decision to reduce the maximum weight of backpacks carried by PNG guides and porters to 18 kg;
2.            The unanimous decision to increase the minimum daily rate of pay for PNG guides and porters to K70 per day;
3.            The unanimous decision to for every PNG guide and carrier to be paid a ‘walk-home allowance’ of K250 each; and
4.            The unanimous decision that every Kokoda tour operator must provide each PNG guide and carrier with a head-torch, a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat and a shirt with the name of the company they are trekking for on it.

You will recall that you advised the participants at your PNG tour operators forum that they could view any of the financial records of the KTA whenever they wanted – all they had to do was call into the KTA office.

I did that the following day to check to see if anybody was still claiming a ‘student discount’ for wealthy private school students from Australia.

I found that the following companies had made the following claims and received the following discounts which are not authorised as the result of the resolution passed at the Sydney forum you conducted in 2015:
TOUR OPERATOR                            NO OF STUDENT DISCOUNTS       TOTAL TREK FEE SHORTFALL
Australia Kokoda Tours                  14 K2450
Backtrack Adventures                      1 K175
Escape Trekking Adventures         3 K525
Getaway Trekking                         163 K28,525
John Derick Eroro                               1 K175
Kokoda Campaign Tours                5 K875
Kokoda Courage                                 2 K350
Kokoda Culture                                 62 K11,200
Kokoda Historical                             22 K3850
Kokoda Trail Expeditions                 4 K700
Kokoda Tribute                                   1 K175
Nuigini Holidays                                17 K2975
No Roads Expeditions                    43 K7700 Our Spirit                                             17 K2975

As a result of the resolution adopted at your Sydney form in 2015 these are illegal discounts that provide these operators with an unfair financial advantage over those operators who do not claim discounts for wealthy private school students.

I therefore request that you sent an invoice for the above amounts to each tour operator so that you can distribute the K65,450 to your subsistence villagers along the trail.

I am sure they will appreciate the funds they will receive in time for the festive season and that they will appreciate your leadership in putting the interests of your people ahead of the interests of those tour operators who are trying to deprive them of the shared benefits they should be receiving from the Kokoda trekking industry.

My company, Adventure Kokoda, has just spent approximately K20,000 to attend your two KTA forums in Port Moresby and Cairns – in addition to this we have paid approximately K160,000 in trek fees to the KTA.

As a result of this substantial investment in time and money I would appreciate your prompt unambiguous response to the above questions.
Best regards,
Charlie

21 November 2017: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Questions arising from Cairns Tour Operators Forum

From: Charlie Lynn Sent: Tuesday,
To: James Enage
Cc: ‘Michael O’Kave’; Warren Bartlett; Mark Nizette MBE; Tracie Watson (tracie@kokodatreks.com.au<mailto:tracie@kokodatreks.com.au>)
21 November 2017 9:36 PM
Subject: FW: Questions re Port Moresby and Cairns Tour Operator Forums

Dear James,
I assume you are back in the KTA office by now. Can you please advise me if the motions that were unanimously passed in Cairns were put to the forum in Cairns and what was the result?

Can you also advise if the motions will be put to the KTA Board of Directors for implementation and when?

Can you please advise if you will be issuing invoices to the tour operators who claimed the 50 per cent discount for Australian students to recover the K65450 that has been denied to your villagers along the trail?

I would appreciate your early advice as the 2017 trekking season has now come to a close and it is therefore imperative that tour operators be advised of the outcomes of the motions to allow them to plan for the 2018 trekking season with more certainty.

Best regards,
Charlie

21 March 2018: Email from Warren Bartlett to Charlie Lynn & Mark Nizette re James Enage

From. Warren Bartlett warren.bartlett43@gmail.com
To: Charlie Lynn
Cc. Mark Nizette <mark.nizette@gmail.com>
Date. 21 March 2018
Re. Fed Information Paper

Hi Charlie and Mark,
Norris Selu (Manager of Kokoda Guides & Porters Assn) is frustrated because James Enage is in the KTA office since Monday morning.

James tells staff all is now back to normal and staff are confused and not talking.

Artie is confused and is heading off on three weeks break!!

Typical PNG fashion.

Nobody is game to make a decision due to the now disastrous wantok system and fear of repercussions.

It is now completely obvious that Kokoda Trail Management should be on a corporate basis with responsible directors representing marketing, finance and legal with some suitable non-political landowner leaders and TPA, CEPA, etc.

DPLGA is impossible to work with. They are not experienced in the nature of the KTA problem and how to fix.

Their past 20 Special Purposes Authorities have all been disasters due politics, bad directors and management.

Cheers …….. Warren

The James Enage Kokoda Management Conundrum

16 December 2009: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re Kokoda Sports Development Program

3 April 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to Edward Nanaba re Request for Financial Assistance

4 April 2011: Email response from James Enage re Request for Financial Assistance for Edward Nanaba

4 April 2011: Email response to James Enage re Financial Assistance for Edward Nanaba

3 October 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Tour Operator Alert-October Forum

13 October 2011: Email forwarded to James Enage re Tour Operator Alert, October Forum

13 October 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Overloading of Porters

2 December 2011: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Draft Licensing Conditions for the Kokoda Trail

18 January 2012: Email from Charlie Lynn to KTA re Curtin University Valuation Project

19 January 2012: Email response from James Enage to Aidan Grimes & Charlie Lynn re Curtin University Valuation Project

19 January 2012: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Adventure Kokoda contribution to the KTA in 2011

20 January 2012: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Curtin University Valuation Project

11 February 2012: Email to James Enage from Charlie Lynn re Policy on the use of the Kokoda Trail for Kokoda charities

March 2012: James Enage Policy Document for Charities

28 January 2013: Email from James Enage to Tour Operators re Unlicensed Kokoda Tpur Operators

29 January 2013: Email from Mark Nizette Re Unlicensed Tour Operators and Charity Treks

8 March 2013: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Tour Operators Forum, Brisbane

11 March 2013 Respons from James Enage re Brisbane Forum

11 March 2013: Email from John Miles, Executive Excellence to James Enage

13 March 2013: Email response from James Enage to John Miles, Executive Excellence

20 March 2013: Message from the KTA CEO, James Enage

7 August 2014: Email: Chad Sherrin to James Enage re Kokoda Trail Issues

8 August 2014: Email response from James Enage to Chad Sherrin Re Kokoda Trail Issues

13 March 2013: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Peter OKwechime

Response from James Enage to Chad Sherrin: 8 August 2014

9 November 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Forum in Brisbane

21 October 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Emergency Facilities at Efogi

22 October 2014: Email response from James Enage re Emergency Facilities at Efogi

9 November 2014: Email to James Enage from Charlie Lynn re Agemda Concerns for his TPA Forum in Brisbane

9 November 2014: Response from James Enage Re KTA Forum in Brisbane

10 November 2014: Email from Warren Bartlett to James Enage re KTA Board Issues

10 November 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Forum – Brisbane

10 November 2014: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re KTA Management Issues

10 November 2014: Email from Warren Bartlett to James Enage re KTA Board Issues

10 November 2014: Email from Peter Vincent CEO TPA to Charlie Lynn

10 November 2014: Email from Warren Bartlett to James Enage re KTA Management Issues

11 November 2014: Email response from Peter Vincent re KTA Forum in Brisbane

14 November 2014: Email response from James Enage re KTA Forum – Brisbane

14 November 2014: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re KTA Forum – Brisbane

30 April 2015: Email from Charlie Lynn to DFAT Strategic Advisor, Mark Nizette, and Oro Governor, Gary Juffa re Management of the Kokoda Trekking Industry

Discussion Paper on the need to reform the KTA by Charlie Lynn

18 May 2015: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Outstanding trek fees owed by South Pacific Tours and Kokoda Spirit

31 July 2015: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Negative Publicity

2 August 2015: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re Negative Publicity

3 August 2015: Email from James Enage to Tour Operators

13 December 2016: Email from James Enage to Anges Re Kokoda Initiative Technical Working Group Draft Minutes

20 February 2017: Email from James Enage to Charlie Lynn re

15 November 2017: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Questions from Port Moresby & Cairns Tour Operator Forums

21 November 2017: Email from Charlie Lynn to James Enage re Questions arising from Cairns Tour Operators Forum

21 March 2018: Email from Warren Bartlett to Charlie Lynn & Mark Nizette re James Enage

14 March 2018: Re: Consideration of the Letter from the Member for Sohe re James Enage

The James Enage Kokoda Management Conundrum

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The James Enage Kokoda Management Conundrum

About The Author

Charlie

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