Council Plans
Kangaroo Island Council is committed to providing services to the community in the most cost effective manner possible, while at the same time constructing and properly maintaining vital infrastructure for the benefit of existing and future generations.
To ensure that it meets its obligations to the community, Council annually monitors its performance in the four key areas of Governance, Community Satisfaction, Financial and Asset Management, and Quality of Life. Information provided by the community, Government Agencies and other sources allows the Council to assess trends in its own performance, and to compare itself with the average results for similar Councils in the Region and around South Australia.
Being an isolated island direct comparisons with other Councils are difficult and must be treated very cautiously. We therefore do not recommend such comparisons since there are many factors which contribute to and affect a Councils individual performance, and a one-to-one comparison will therefore often produce misleading results.
For further information contact: Kangaroo Island Council on 08 8553 4500 or kicouncil@kicouncil.sa.gov.au
The Kangaroo Island Council endorsed the American River Place Plan for public release at its meeting on 8 August 2023, following a community engagement and consultation process.
What is a Structure Plan?
A Structure Plan provides an overarching planning framework for the management and coordination of future growth opportunities, changes within the spatial contexts and infrastructure requirements.
Most importantly, a Structure Plan enables Council and the Community to set a vision that it desires to achieve, not one that will simply happen by natural means.
A Structure Plan highlights the likely demand for development based on trends and population scenarios. It establishes a conceptual blueprint based on principles of good town planning.
For further information please contact the Kangaroo Island Council on (08) 8553 4500.
Kangaroo Island Animal Management Plan 2024 - 2029
Kangaroo Island’s unique and isolated environment requires specific measures to protect its ecology such as maintaining the exclusion of rabbits, deer and foxes, the regulated keeping of goats, and management of the Ligurian bee population. Control of these factors has supported healthy environments and populations of many native species which are either not found in other parts of Australia, or are very rare.
This Kangaroo Island Council Animal Management Plan 2024 maintains the direction and momentum set by its previous 2005, 2010 and 2017 versions - enhancing the provisions of animal management direction in accordance with relevant state legislation including the SA Dog & Cat Management Act (as amended), Landscape South Australia Act 2019 and Local Government Act 1999.
This plan seeks to ensure that dogs and cats are managed in a responsible manner, and that other domestic animals on Kangaroo Island are kept responsibly and ethically, ensuring minimal impact to residents, communities, the environment, biosecurity and the Island’s economy.
There are further specific animal management By-laws relevant to dogs, cats and keeping of livestock, fowl and bees.
The plan compliments the operation of other legislation and the interface with the operations and strategic directions of Landscape South Australia - Kangaroo Island, the South Australia Dog & Cat Management Board and the Department for Primary Industries and Regions South Australia.
Related Links
KI Council By-law No. 5 – Dogs
The Annual Business Plan links our Strategic Management Plan with the annual budget planning process to ensure that we continue to develop and maintain essential infrastructure services such as roads, transport and open spaces as well as providing important services including libraries, health, planning and waste collection.
Our Strategic Management Plan sets the long-term directions for Kangaroo Island and each year we develop a business plan to fine-tune the detail. The Annual Business Plan outlines Council's priorities for the year and includes the Budget, and Rating Policy.
Considerable effort goes into developing our Budget each year to ensure the mix of services and capital works meets the needs of residents, businesses and visitors to the region. At the same time we also aim to balance the provision of services and facilities with the ability of our communities to pay.
The Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2024-25 was adopted by Council at its meeting on 9 July 2024.
Annual Business Plan
The management of Council's Community Land is governed by the Local Government Act 1999. Under Division 4 of the Act, councils are required to prepare and adopt Community Land Management Plans (CLMPs) and manage community land in accordance with those plans.
Following a comprehensive review of its Community Land Management Plans, Kangaroo Island Council has consolidated and updated its plans to ensure they remain contemporary, accessible and compliant with legislative requirements. The review included public consultation undertaken in accordance with Section 197 of the Local Government Act 1999.
The revised Community Land Management Plans were endorsed by Council at its September 2026 meeting and provide a strategic framework for the ongoing management, use and development of Council-owned community land across Kangaroo Island.
Copies of the adopted Community Land Management Plans, together with the registers of land to which each plan relates, can be accessed via the links below.
Kangaroo Island Disability Access & Inclusion Plan 2026-2030
An Easy Read version of the DAIP can be found HERE.
The Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) (the Act) provides a legal framework to support equal access and inclusion for people living with disability in community activities and services including recreation, education, health and public transport. The Act is aligned with the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and with Australia’s National Disability Strategy 2021-2031. The Act also clarifies how Councils’ Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIPs) need to align with the State Plan and address the needs of priority groups by supporting a coordinated approach to disability inclusion across all levels of government.
The new State Disability Inclusion Plan 2025-2029: A South Australia where no one is left behind, was launched in mid-2025 and sets out a whole-of-government strategy to promote inclusion, improve access to services and support the rights and participation of people with disability.
The Act identifies seven priority groups that are considered in the State Plan and embedded across all measures in each council’s DAIP. The priority groups are:
- Aboriginal peoples with a disability
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with disability
- Children with disability
- People with disability who identify as LGBTIQA+
- People with significant intellectual disability or who have high levels of vulnerability due to disability
- People with disability who live in regional communities
The State Plan also identifies domains, or areas of focus for inclusion-related initiatives to be addressed in DAIPs. The domains are:
- Domain 1: Inclusive environments and communities
All people with disability can participate as equal citizens and feel connected to their communities.
- Domain 2: Education and employment
All people with disability benefit from inclusive educational experiences, equitable employment opportunities and financial security.
- Domain 3: Personal and community support
All people with disability can access quality, tailored, personal and community supports addressing their individual needs.
- Domain 4: Health and wellbeing
All people with disability can attain the highest possible health and wellbeing outcomes throughout their lives.
- Domain 5: Safety, rights and justice
All people with disability feel safe, have their rights upheld and have full and equal protection before the law.
(Source: State Disability Inclusion Plan 2025-2029: A South Australia where no one is left behind: Inclusive SA - State Disability Inclusion Plan)
The Department of Human Services will lead the implementation of the State Plan and as a state authority, the Kangaroo Island Council will contribute to the achievement of the State Plan by implementing specific actions in its DAIP. The Council will report annually on its progress.
A PDF of the DAIP can be found HERE, and a Microsoft Word accessible version can be found HERE.
KIRRC EMP
The Kangaroo Island Resource Recovery Centre (KIRRC) provides the only integrated waste management facility for Kangaroo Island. This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared as the Environmental Protection Act 1993, Schedule 1, Prescribed Activities of Environmental Significance, requires an Environment Protection Authority Licence (EPA Licence) for the operation of a waste disposal facility. The EMP provides the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with relevant information to allow an assessment of environmental issues associated with the facility to be undertaken for the purpose of granting a renewal to the EP Licence.
CWMS EMP
The Kangaroo Island Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been developed to assist the Kangaroo Island Council with ongoing wastewater and recycled water quality management. Wastewater and recycled water quality management is an essential component in ensuring Council’s commitment to safeguarding public and environmental health.
The Plan covers all CWMS managed and operated by the Kangaroo Island Council. This monitoring plan also addresses Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Health (DH) guidelines and requirements of the EPA License(EPA 1516). The implementation of this Plan and the proposed monitoring schedulesis crucial to ensure adherence to any license requirements and to satisfy Council’s general environmental duty under the Environment Protection Act 1993. The results obtained may need to be reported to the EPA and DH where required.
Related Links
Asset management planning is a comprehensive process to ensure delivery of services from infrastructure is provided in a financially sustainable manner.
Asset Management Planning commences with defining stakeholder and legal requirements and needs, incorporating these needs into the organisation’s strategic plan, development an asset management policy, strategy, asset management plans and operation plans, linked to a long term financial plan with a funding plan (Australian Infrastructure Financial Management Guidelines, 2009).
Key elements of the plans are
- Levels of Service
Specifies the levels of service based on community needs and available resources and monitors that performance against ‘safety, ‘function’ and ‘quality’. - Future Demand
How this will impact on future service delivery and how that demand will be met. - Lifecycle Management
How Council will manage its existing and future assets to provide the required services. - Financial Summary
What funds are required to provide the services. - Asset Management Practices
what systems, standards and guidelines are utilised to maintain and further develop asset management practices. - Plan Improvement and Monitoring
How the plan will be assessed to ensure it is meeting Council’s objectives.
Infrastructure Asset Management Plans (IAMPs) are reviewed during the annual budget preparation and amended to recognise any changes in service levels and/or resources available to provide those services as a result of the budget decision process. The plans have a life of four (4) years and are due for revision and updating within 12 months of each Council election.
Council's IAMP is divided into 8 chapters:
The Kangaroo Island Development Plan (KIDP) was superseded by the PDI Act & Panning & Design Code for South Australia effective from 19 March, 2021. A copy of the PDI can be found online at www.plan.sa.gov.au
All development applications must be submitted electronically through the PlanSA Development Application Portal.
Guidelines for applicants lodging applications and information about the requirements for assessment of applications are available on the PlanSA website.
Applications will be assessed against the South Australia Planning and Design Code.
The Kangaroo Island Plan has been prepared by the South Australian Government, through the Department of Planning and Local Government, as a volume of the South Australian Planning Strategy pursuant to section 22 of the Development Act 1993 and is subject to change.
For further information: visit www.sa.gov.au or phone the Department of Planning and Local Government on 08 8303 0600.
The Local Government Act 1999 requires that a Council must develop and adopt a Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) for a period of at least 10 years and must undertake a review of this as soon as practicable after adopting the Council’s Annual Business Plans for a particular financial year.
The information contained within a LTFP is presented at a high level, it is not a detailed budget and does not ‘commit’ council to the spending or assumptions outlined within the LTFP. Council uses the information within the LTFP to:
* inform future decision making of council;
* understand the level of financial and interest rate risk exposure;
* confirm adequacy of spending on assets and capital renewal;
* allow the ability to track performance against key financial ratios; and
* inform decisions around future service levels and service provision.
Related Links
The Kangaroo Island Council formally adopted the Penneshaw Structure Plan on 9 April 2019, following a community engagement and consultation process.
A copy of the Plan can be accessed here.
The Plan will now be tabled with the State Government for their information.
As it thinks fit, Council can then proceed to commence the process of updating its Development Plan in accordance with the requirements of the Development Act and implement other facets of the Structure Plan through its annual business planning priority processes.
There would also be opportunity to consider inputs towards, and amendments to, the State Planning and Design Code (being implemented from 1 July 2020) under the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act.
What is a Structure Plan?
A Structure Plan provides an overarching planning framework for the management and coordination of future growth opportunities, changes within the spatial contexts and infrastructure requirements.
Most importantly, a Structure Plan enables Council and the Community to set a vision that it desires to achieve, not one that will simply happen by natural means.
A Structure Plan highlights the likely demand for development based on trends and population scenarios. It establishes a conceptual blueprint based on principles of good town planning.
For further information please contact the Kangaroo Island Council on (08) 8553 4500.
Preparing KI: A Whole-of-Island Disaster Risk Reducation and Mitigation Action Plan
The Preparing KI Action Plan is Kangaroo Island Council’s roadmap to delivering on and implementing its locally-identified priorities, and broader opportunities, to mitigate disaster risk, pursue enhanced climate adaptation and improve overall resilience.
This Action Plan is directly informed by and aligned with the priorities of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (NDRRF) which highlights the ongoing need to understand risks, deliver accountable decisions, enhance investment and focus on governance, ownership and responsibility. This Action Plan articulates Kangaroo Island’s Council’s priority needs and activities across these national priorities for disaster risk reduction and mitigation. This Action Plan therefore provides a clear line of sight between local need and the resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation policy environment at regional, state and federal levels.
The Preparing KI Action Plan also serves a role in terms of recovery. The strategic and technical methodologies applied to inform this Action Plan may offer benefit in times of recovery and in informing recovery action options.
The Preparing KI Action Plan is intended to be championed across all areas of Council to better integrate and embed disaster risk reduction activities and opportunities as part of day-to-day decision making, through standard processes, and to inform decision-making of Council.
The Preparing KI Action Plan can be accessed here.
Resilient Hills & Coasts is a collaborative project formed to develop a regional climate change Adaptation Plan for the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island region of South Australia.
A copy of the final plan is available here.
The Southern & Hills Local Government Association (S&HLGA) is a Regional Association of Councils under Part 4 of the Constitution of the Local Government Association of South Australia and was first formed in 1969. S&HLGA comprises Kangaroo Island Council, Alexandrina Council. District Council of Mount Barker, City of Victor Harbor and District Council of Yankalilla.
The S&HLGA 2020 Transport Plan is a strategic level assessment of transport needs and priorities within the S&HLGA region for the period from 2010 to 2020.
Southern & Hills Local Government Association – Regional Health and Wellbeing Plan 2022 – 2027
This Plan is the second Regional Public Health Plan (RPHP) for the Southern and Hills region and is a collaboration of the six constituent councils of the Southern and Hills Local Government Association (the S&HLGA):
- ADELAIDE HILLS COUNCIL
- ALEXANDRINA COUNCIL
- KANGAROO ISLAND COUNCIL
- MOUNT BARKER DISTRICT COUNCIL
- DISTRICT COUNCIL OF YANKALILLA
- CITY OF VICTOR HARBOR
This Plan is for the period 2022 to 2027 and builds on the first Regional Public Health Plan for the S&HLGA (2015-2020). It will provide the basis for the next Regional Public Health Plan (2028-2033).
This Plan responds to a fresh assessment of the population health and risks in our local communities and the regions as a whole.
This Plan aligns with the South Australian State Public Health Plan 2019-2024 (the State Plan). The State Plan's vision is for a "healthy, liveable and connected community for all South Australians". To achieve this vision, the State Plan calls for coordinated action across four priorities:
Strategic Management Plan (s) Overview
It is a legislative requirement for South Australian Councils to have a four-year Strategic Management Plan. Kangaroo Island Council’s Annual Business Plan is derived from this document, providing updates on key areas of the plan, which are tabled monthly at the ordinary meetings of Council.
Kangaroo Island Council prepares its Strategic Management Plans to:
- Set a clear vision and objectives for Kangaroo Island, developed in consultation with the community, and provide a framework for achieving these.
- Address issues of importance to Kangaroo Island, including community priorities, infrastructure needs, and environmental sustainability.
- Manage its resources, people, and assets in a sustainable and responsible way.
- Align its efforts with the broader strategic vision of the South Australian and Australian Governments.
These requirements for strategic management plans are outlined in Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1999.
Community Strategic Plan 2024-34 and Four-Year Delivery Program 2024-28
The Kangaroo Island Community Strategic Plan 2024-34 and the Four-Year Delivery Program 2024-28 were endorsed at a Special Council Meeting on 23 October 2024. These critical documents outline the Council's long-term vision, goals, and priorities. They were developed through extensive community consultation, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of the Island's residents are at the forefront of planning. These plans will also guide the Council's efforts to secure support from state and federal governments and other organisations.
The Four-Year Delivery Program 2024-28 will inform the Council’s Annual Business Plans, outlining specific actions the Council will take each year to meet the objectives set out in the strategic plan. These plans ensure Kangaroo Island Council is well-positioned to manage its resources and deliver the services and infrastructure needed to sustain the community and the Island for the future.
For further information, contact:
Customer Service on 08 8553 4500 or kicouncil@kicouncil.sa.gov.au
Related Links
The Town Centres Urban Design Frameworks for each of the four major towns were finalised in March 2006. These frameworks provide the vision and strategic direction to create vibrant, attractive and commercially successful towns. The project is a result of significant community and stakeholder consultation that you may have already been involved in.
The Framework assists Council, State Government Agencies, the private sector and the local community to focus resources and effort into achieving the long-term vision for the towns rather than haphazard development, which could be detrimental in the long term.
Kangaroo Island Council have received funding from Planning SA to complete a Townships Plan Amendment Report, as well as further funding to implement four projects as a result of the first stage of the Town Centres Project.
Project Background
Parndana Gateway and Signage Plan
Parndana is the most central town on the Island, situated along the Playford Highway but not visible from the highway and there is a lack of legible signage to direct visitors. This project involves the preparation of iconic landscape features at the gateway points of the town combined with plans for the design and siting of signage to clearly identify the entrance to the town.
The Parndana framework identified the lack of economic vitality within the town was partly due to the failure to attract a greater portion of the many visitors who pass by the town on route to the attractions at the western end of the Island. Creating a more legible entrance is the first step in enhancing the economic vitality of the town.
Penneshaw Village Square Design
The creation of a 'village square' and focal point is a major opportunity to attract interest from visitors and fulfil the community's desire to establish Penneshaw as the arts and cultural focus of the Island. The 'village square' would provide the opportunity for outdoor art exhibits and stimulus for other initiatives (including an arts and cultural precinct), being strategically situated alongside the town's business transaction centre that is already a focal point for activity in the town.
American River Township Growth Master Plan
The scenic environmental setting of American River is experiencing pressures for development that threatens to erode the attractiveness of the rural and natural backdrop of the town. The need to guide future growth of the town was identified as a high priority in the Town Centres Urban Design Framework's Implementation Plan.
This project aims to preserve the environmental and visual qualities of the area by protecting visually sensitive areas and areas of biodiversity value, identifying appropriate forms of development, and ensuring integration with existing development.
Kingscote Gateway Precinct Master Plan
The gateway precinct is extremely important to the town because it provides the first impression and main route for all vehicles entering the town of Kingscote. The precinct comprises a mix of residential and light industrial properties that front Kohinoor Road.
The short-term goal of this project is to substantially enhance the area contained within the road reserve with a longer term goal to encourage private property owners to enhance their business and residential properties. This will also be facilitated through a change to the Development Plan zone provisions.
Town Centres Stage 2 - Walking Trails Design
The public consultation for the concept drawings has now closed.
The project also includes the development of Streetscapes for Parndana Cook Street and Penneshaw Nat Thomas street as well as a style guide for Kingscote.
Related Links
- Stage 1 - Parndana Gateway and Signage Plan
- Stage 1 - Penneshaw Village Square Design Concept
- Stage 1 - American River Township Growth Master Plan
- Stage 1 - Kingscote Gateway Precinct Master Plan
- Stage 2 - Draft Concept Presentation American River
- Stage 2 - Draft Concept Presentation Kingscote
- Stage 2 - Draft Concept Presentation Parndana
- Stage 2 - Draft Concept Presentation Penneshaw