The committee visited Kangaroo Island in May, 2007, and heard many witnesses and visited various sites on the island.

It made six recommendations in its report tabled in State Parliament on June 19.

Two of these relate directly to forestry and five to water resources.

They were:

1. DWLBC prioritise and undertake hydrological investigations and management actions for Kangaroo Island catchments identified in recent studies with high proportions of stream flow captured by farm dams to assess environmental impacts of current and future level of farm dam and forestry development.

2. The Minister for Environment and Conservation include commercial forestry activities on Kangaroo Island as a prescribed water affecting activity pursuant to the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.

3. Agencies ensure that any additional forestry approvals on Kangaroo Island are subject to compliance with DWLBC Plantation Forestry Design Guidelines For Sustainable Water Resources Management .

4. The Minister for Environment and Conservation supports the ongoing development and implementation of a Kangaroo Island Landscape Fire Management Plan as per the work instigated by DEH, CFS and the Kangaroo Island Council.

5. The Minister for Environment and Conservation include construction of farm dams on Kangaroo Island as a prescribed water affecting activity pursuant to the Act.

6. The Minister for Environment and Conservation prescribe surface water resources on Kangaroo Island and especially Middle River Catchment pursuant to the Act so that water affecting activities cannot occur without proper approvals and facilitating sustainable management of Kangaroo Island water resources.

The 31-page report also considers issues such as feral animal control, weeds, native vegetation clearance issues and the roles of the Department for Environment and Heritage, the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management Board and the Kangaroo Island Council.

It also addresses the NRM Levy, slated to be doubled to about $25 per property this financial year and the issues of community consultation and cost shifting.

KINRM presiding member Jackie Kelly said the committee’s recommendations would be presented to the Minister Gail Gago who did not have to act on them but did have to respond.

Ms Gago would seek advice from various sources including the KINRM Board.

“We will tell the Minister again that we have made a commitment to consult with the residents and stakeholders on the issue of water prescription.

“There is no intention from the board to seek prescription for the whole island,” Ms Kelly said.

Ms Kelly explained that prescription would mean that anyone wanting to conduct “water-affecting activities” in the prescribed area would have to seek a permit. This would include forestry, building dams or expanding dams.

She said the Minister’s response could take weeks.

“We are not going ahead with anything without meeting our commitment to consult the local community.

“We will soon meet with the Middle River Landcare group to discuss issues and our draft plan for the island will be available in November for three months of consultation.”

A spokesman from Great Southern plantations forestry company was unable to comment in time for publication.

The full report is available at www.parliament.sa.gov.au/committees/standing.