Landowners along Papua New Guinea's Kokoda Track are threatening to open up more of the track to mining.
The threats came as PNG police launched an investigation into alleged corruption in the Kokoda Track Authority or KTA.
The KTA is responsible for managing local tribal landowners, trekking companies and all issues associated with the 96 kilometre track, where Australian soldiers repelled Japanese troops during World War II.
Its executive officer, Warren Bartlett, alleges KTA board members have been siphoning off thousands of dollars of government funding into a secret Port Moresby bank account.
Mr Bartlett, whose allegations are being investigated by PNG police, has also called for a restructure of the KTA board.
But interests on the board, including for the Koiari landowners, who are backing a plan to operate a mine on part of the track, want Mr Bartlett sacked.
They say he has a conflict of interest due to his business relationship with NSW MP and Adventure Kokoda tour operator Charlie Lynn.
Warren Bartlett says the allegations against him were not new.
