Frequently Asked Questions

We are delivering an upgrade to Kangaroo Island’s key arterial roads to improve road safety and bushfire resilience. This $40 million package of upgrades is funded by the Australian (80%) and South Australian government (20%).

Major works on the Playford Highway and Hog Bay Road, including vegetation removals, commenced in September 2023. Works are scheduled to be completed around mid-2024, weather permitting.

In September 2023 we received feedback regarding tree removals along the canopied section of Hog Bay Road, 2km south of Penneshaw. Following this, we conducted an internal project design review to ensure we are achieving the project objectives of improving road safety and bush resilience whilst balancing other competing priorities including minimising the impact on the environment.

The outcome of this review resulted in a change to the project design and a significant reduction in the number of trees planned to be removed along the canopied section of Hog Bay Road. The revised scope of removals includes a reduction of nearly 75% when compared to the original scope.

Approximately 35 trees will need to be removed from the canopied area of Hog Bay Road, including 5 trees which pose an inherent risk to motorist safety due to their proximity to the road. This represents a 75% reduction when compared to the original scope of tree removal.

Yes. We considered several scenarios that included reducing the vegetation clearance area, reducing the sealed shoulder widths, and use of safety barriers.

Reducing the clearance area and installing safety barriers closer to the roadside is considered to be the best option. This approach allows us to achieve the project objectives and improve road safety on Hog Bay Road while reducing vegetation impacts as much as possible.

While we remain committed to upgrading Hog Bay Road, due to the community's desire to reduce vegetation removals along this stretch, we cannot fully implement the entire complement of treatments that were originally planned. However importantly, these planned treatments will allow us to achieve an overall 3-star safety rating.

Yes. During the project’s planning stage, departmental environment and heritage impact assessment processes were completed. This included an assessment of any impacted flora, fauna, threatened ecological communities and other Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).

A vegetation assessment and comprehensive field survey was conducted in accordance with the Native vegetation Act 1991 (NV Act) with clearance subsequently granted by the Native Vegetation Council in October 2022.

An assessment was also conducted in accordance with the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to determine if the action was likely to have a significant impact on any MNES including the Kangaroo Island Narrow-Leaved Mallee Woodland Threatened Ecological Community.

Prior to any works commencing on Hog Bay Road, a self-assessment was undertaken by an independent, qualified consultant in accordance with the EPBC Act.

The EPBC Act self-assessment considered impacts to multiple MNES; threatened flora and fauna species, as well as a detailed consideration of impacts to the critically endangered Kangaroo Island Narrow-Leaved Mallee Woodland Threatened Ecological Community.

The assessment concluded that the Department’s works on Hog Bay Road were not considered to be significant in accordance with the EPBC Act significant impact criteria, and a referral to the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) was not required.

The Department has subsequently liaised with the DCCEEW and provided them with the ecological assessments and the EPBC Act self-assessment, for their review. Following review and liaison with the Department, DCCEEW are satisfied with the information provided. The investigations undertaken and recommendations provided by the independent, qualified ecologists on behalf of the Department remain valid. The project’s impacts on MNES are not considered to be significant.

In accordance with the Native Vegetation Act 1991, we are required to offset any impacts to native vegetation. The Department has met its legislated offset requirement for this project via a payment into the Native Vegetation Fund. This fund can be accessed by local councils and community groups through a grant application process and is used for projects that aim to restore and protect native vegetation across the State.

The Department, in collaboration with KI Council, monitors conditions and hazards along our roads on Kangaroo Island and across the State on a regular basis. Any vegetation along Hog Bay Road and the Playford Highway that presents a safety risk in the future will be treated as part of our ongoing maintenance works.

If you notice an issue with the road conditions or hazards on Hog Bay Road or the Playford Highway, please contact DIT.South@sa.gov.au

There are no plans to reduce the speed along the canopied section of Hog Bay Road as part of this package of works. Following our internal review, we can confirm the current speed limit of 100kmph is in accordance with the Speed Limit Guideline for South Australia (the Guideline). Alignment with the Guideline ensures a consistent and appropriate approach to speed limits across the State, helping to ensure road safety and reduce the risk of non-compliance. The Guideline can be viewed here (PDF, 1903 KB).

Whilst we appreciate that some community members would like to see a reduction to the speed limit, the project scope is considered appropriate to achieve the project objectives of increasing road safety, bushfire resilience and freight productivity, minimising the impact on the environment, and ensuring alignment with relevant State and Federal guidelines.