Stakeholders gather to air views

Environmental Projects (EP) is the Adelaide-based company in charge of putting together the Environmental Impact Statement for our facility at Smith Bay. Recently, EP invited representatives of interested Kangaroo Island groups to a Stakeholder Reference Group session, to hear people’s concerns and issues around the Smith Bay development but also the forestry industry on Kangaroo Island more generally.

The workshop was held at Seaside Inn in Kingscote on November 23 and was chaired by independent business consultant Brian Cunningham, with facilitator Barbara Chappell. Attending were representatives from Tourism KI, KI Natural Resources Management Board, KI Dolphin Watch, KI Plantation Timbers, Agriculture KI, independent tree growers, EcoAction, Business KI, Sealink, KI Road Safety Committee and the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island.

Yumbah Aquaculture and Parndana Progress Association declined their invitations. Apologies were received from KI Council and KI Community Education.

Each attendee was able to present information and hear from other participants. Many views were aired, questions answered and information provided. All agreed it had been a valuable exercise and there was clear consensus on important issues: All participants were keen to see the plantations on the Island harvested and all agreed that the environment and other businesses must be protected. The information gathered will be used by EP in its work.