Scale and intensity of North Coast KI proposal poses risks to multiple threatened species
What was proposed?
In 2025, Melbourne-based firm Junctions 90 Pty Ltd applied for approval to build a:
‘Tourist accommodation and wellness complex comprising 60 accommodation modules, a restaurant, day spa and reception building, services outbuildings, ancillary tourism experience structures, footpaths and decking, 33 geothermal bathing pools, 26 staff accommodation units, landscaping, carpark, new internal roads and access, and on-site infrastructure including solar PV, water storage dams and waste treatment facilities’.
Neighbouring farmers, landholders and environmentalists were united in concerns regarding the scale and intensity of the proposed development and resulting potential impacts on:
the natural and rural character of this unspoiled coastal environment
natural water supplies, flows and hydrology
agricultural land use, and
flora and fauna including multiple nationally listed threatened species - Kangaroo Island Glossy-Black Cockatoos and Kangaroo Island Echidnas. Adjacent areas house White-Bellied Sea Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and Heath Goannas and provide ‘known or likely’ habitat for several other threatened/endangered species.
There was very limited consultation with the KI community by the would-be interstate developer, so KI residents & lovers of the KI environment have made our views known!
(Application ID 25024492 on the Plan SA Development Register lodged 13/10/25. Public notification closed at midnight 22 January 2026. The application was refused on 23 February 2026 by the State Planning Commission following a ‘direct refusal’ response from the Coast Protection Board.)
Important update!
The proponent commenced public notification on 2 January 2026 on Plan SA, closing on 22 January 2026. We understand that during this period over 200 submissions were lodged with the State Planning Commission (the SPC) regarding the Katharsis proposal. This is a resounding response and we can presume, perhaps, an indication of the great importance of Kangaroo Island and its unspoiled natural environment to so many people.
The KI Council provided well-considered comments pointing out some of the issues with the proposal to the SPC here).
On 18 February 2026 the Coast Protection Board issued its response regarding the Katharsis development proposal, to the State Planning Commission, directing that Development Application 25024492 be refused.
A copy of the full and comprehensive ‘direct refusal’ response from the Coast Protection Board can be viewed here. Suffice to say the Board appears to have recognised many of the serious concerns raised by Kangaroo Islanders for Sustainable Development.
Subsequently, the State Planning Commission on 23 February 2026 notified of its decision to refuse the application. A copy of its decision notification can be viewed here.
What now?
Stay informed, stay engaged!
While the SPC’s refusal of the Katharsis application is reassuring and welcome, from this group’s point of view, it is possible that the applicant may choose to lodge an appeal against the decision, and/or submit a revised application for further consideration.
It will be important to stay engaged so we can be aware of and respond swiftly and energetically to any further developments in relation to the proposal.
Should the applicant appeal against the decision of the Board or SPC, or lodge a revised approval, Kangaroo Islanders for Sustainable Development will carefully review and consider whether all concerns have been properly addressed, to work out next steps.
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