MEDIA RELEASE: KANGAROO ISLAND FERRY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE UPDATES: NEW DELAYS AND ADVOCACY FOR FREIGHT SERVICES
Kangaroo Island Council acknowledges the community’s ongoing patience regarding the upgrades to the island’s vital maritime links and wishes to provide an update on recent developments regarding the new ferry fleet and associated port infrastructure.
Council has been informed that the introduction of the long-awaited new Kangaroo Island ferries has been delayed once again. This latest setback follows a major mechanical failure experienced by one of the new vessels during its recent sea trials.
Concurrently, Kangaroo Island Council understands that the planned construction of the new ferry ramps at both Penneshaw and Cape Jervis has been postponed until further notice.
The ferry service represents the absolute lifeblood of Kangaroo Island, serving as a critical bridge for our community. A reliable service is paramount for our thriving tourism industry, which relies on the seamless movement of visitors to support local businesses. Equally, it is an essential service for our residents, providing a vital connection to the mainland for medical appointments, education, family, and daily needs.
Recognising the critical importance of reliable transport links to the mainland, Kangaroo Island Council Mayor Michael Pengilly has proactively engaged with project stakeholders regarding the future rollout of these infrastructure works.
Mayor Pengilly has formally requested that when the ferry service is eventually closed to facilitate the installation of the new ramps, the closure must be scheduled exclusively over a weekend. This targeted timing is vital to ensure that the island’s essential weekday stock and freight services remain completely uninterrupted.
"Our community has waited a long time for these updates, and while this latest mechanical delay during sea trials is deeply frustrating, our immediate focus must be on protecting the island's economy," Mayor Pengilly said. "We cannot afford a shutdown that halts our primary producers. Restricting the future ramp construction to a weekend window is a non-negotiable requirement to keep our vital stock freight moving, visitors and local alike capacity to travel."
Kangaroo Island Council will continue to advocate strongly for a swift resolution to the vessel engineering issues and will provide further updates on the rescheduled ramp construction timelines as soon as verified information becomes available.
For media queries or further information, please contact Mayor Michael Pengilly, at 0419 030 564 or michael.pengilly@kicouncil.sa.gov.au