Andrew Lieschke has a passion for building and environmentally sustainable building design. The Kangaroo Island Council’s new planning manager, appointed in April, is a self-confessed extreme DIY enthusiast.

“I love it, I have owned several houses in Adelaide and I am always fixing, renovating and recycling. One of the attractions of moving to clean and green KI was the fishing and diving as well as the opportunity to own and remodel another home – but this time in a more natural bush setting I hope,” Mr Lieschke said. He is looking forward to exploring the island and as a cyclist is keen to get involved with local cyclist groups.

With a daughter, 19, studying interstate, there will also be a few trips off the island to schedule in and she is keen to visit dad.

Mr Lieschke was born in Mt Gambier, and educated in Adelaide, studying politics and sociology at Flinders University.

In the late 1980s a change of direction found him undertaking a construction course and operating a building and design, and contracting business before completing a graduate diploma in regional and urban planning.

Since then, Mr Lieschke has worked for six SA councils, Planning SA and in the private sector as a town planner.

He left his position as senior planner at the City of Charles Sturt to make the sea change to Kangaroo Island.

“Moving to the Island is a great opportunity to make a lifestyle change and to make a difference in a council with a reputation for promoting environmentally responsible development,” he said.