American River locals rally against new Kangaroo Island timber export bid planned by KIC Freight

A new timber export proposal for Kangaroo Island – aimed at helping the nation’s shortage – has sparked fears from locals about the impact on their quiet town.

The decades old problem of how to export timber from Kangaroo Island has raised its head in the small town of American River – and locals aren’t happy with a new export proposal.

But David Harris, managing director of KIC (Kangaroo Island Connect) ferry service and KIC Freight, has described locals opposed to his proposal as “bloody selfish”.

He wants to export about 1800 tonnes of logs each week from American River wharf to Port Adelaide, and has approached the Transport Department about the idea.

The bid would help Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers harvest and export its fire-damaged product, and also address a timber shortage across the country.

But residents are worried the plans will damage the area’s quiet atmosphere, creating traffic and noise, and reduce access to the wharf.

A protest was held on July 4 against plans to send timber off of Kangaroo Island via American River. Picture: Mike Cosgrove KI XFM radio

They are also concerned about the environmental effects of ships moving through a “habitat protection zone” in the Encounter Marine Park, potentially dropping cargo or carrying disease or foreign species.

American River resident Andrew Sincock, a former SA pace bowler and vice president of the South Australian Cricket Association, said the proposal would remove the area’s “town centre”. “Its going to affect the whole fabric of what we’ve built up over time,” Mr Sincock said.

“People go down there on a balmy evening and sit down with a glass of wine and have a chat, or go outside and have lunch looking at the pristine birdlife.”

Amanda Rowe from American River’s The Oyster Farm Shop is concerned about the plans. Picture: Tom Huntley

The Oyster Farm Shop owner Amanda Rowe was worried the proposal would affect moves to turn the town into a “tourist hub” and increase the likelihood of biosecurity problems, such as the POMS (Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome) virus.

“We’ve just been successful in snaring a … grant to increase our capacity at the farm shop and also roll out some new experiences like a waterfront tasting room,” she said.

“All of those things will be affected if there’s timber trucks coming through.”

About 100 people attended a public meeting about the issue at the weekend.

Mr Harris said he would use a 1400-tonne vessel to export timber from the island three times a week, and those ships would be loaded with timber transported on trucks travelling to the area 13 times a day, five days a week.

KIPT workers Brian Stewart and David Oselton at Macgill dam, KI where fire-damaged logs are being stockpiled. Kangaroo Island. Picture: Amy Pysden

The wharf was formerly used to ship gypsum, and Mr Harris said since that stopped, American River had been in “gradual decline to where it’s now hardly got a heart beat”.

“For people to say you can’t use this wharf because we don’t want wharf activity in our town anymore, it’s outrageous, really.”

Mr Harris said he would employ about 10 people directly through the venture, which would also provide cheaper freight.

He said biosecurity issues would be appropriately managed, and trucks would travel slowly through the area and would not create noise problems.

Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers managing director Keith Lamb said the company was keen to export from American River, along with Penneshaw and Kingscote, so it could move its damaged timber as quickly as possible.

In 2018, it lodged plans for a seaport at Smith Bay, on the island’s north coast, with the State Government and after several rounds of consultation, they are awaiting assessment.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said more information was needed before the Government could consider the unapproved plan.

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Originally published as American River locals rally against new Kangaroo Island timber export bid planned by KIC Freight