Frequently Asked Questions

We are upgrading the Penneshaw and Cape Jervis ports, increasing the facilities lifespan, and supporting continued ferry services operating between Kangaroo Island (KI) and the mainland. This project is funded by the South Australian Government.

Effective, safe, and reliable port infrastructure at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw is critical to the economic success of KI. The berthing and mooring structures at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw ports form part of the essential link between KI and the mainland for cars, freight and passengers and will be upgraded as part of the project.

Works at Cape Jervis commenced in early 2024. Works at Penneshaw are expected to commence in late April 2024. Main construction works are scheduled to be complete at both locations in early 2025, weather permitting.

On completion, the upgraded ports will feature new fit-for-purpose facilities including improved berthing areas, additional navigational equipment, and enhanced passenger amenities. It will facilitate an increased number of ferry services with faster turnaround times and improve safety for passengers and the new, larger vessels particularly during adverse weather and storms.

KI and the Fleurieu Peninsula are key destinations for visitors and tourism. They are also important freight routes for South Australian produce including dairy, livestock, wine and distillers. To support economic growth in these regions, and deliver improved essential transport services, the Department is upgrading the ports at Cape Jervis and Penneshaw.

The current berthing and mooring structures are no longer fit-for-purpose having originally been designed for smaller ferries. They are also nearing the end of their service life. Currently, they present costly maintenance challenges due to corroded steelwork, worn out components as well as decreased reliability.

We understand the vital importance of the ferry service to and from KI for residents, tourists, and freight. Access to ferry services during construction will be maintained. While services will remain operational, if timetable changes are required, to facilitate some works, advance notice of any impacts will be provided, in consultation with service providers.

The Department has and will continue to work closely with SeaLink to ensure that the upgraded facilities cater for the new vessels proposed to be used by SeaLink as part of their passenger services to and from KI.

These upgrades will cater for the new, larger SeaLink ferries and will deliver improved access for passengers and vehicles. They will also provide greater safety for vessels and for passengers when ferries are berthed particularly during adverse weather and storms.

We will ensure impacts are minimised and mitigated as much as practically possible. Local traffic management, noise, dust and other construction impacts will be managed in accordance with legislative requirements and Departmental guidelines. Signage and traffic management staff will be on site to assist.

At Cape Jervis, the main construction office will be established within the secure long term parking area. Access for users will be maintained, however due to heavy vehicle movements access may be restricted for short periods as vehicles and equipment move in and out of the compound. Please observe signage and follow the directions of onsite traffic controllers.

Access to the carpark north of the lighthouse will be restricted to accommodate a construction laydown compound and will remain restricted until project completion in early 2025. A heavy vehicle turnaround, and overflow parking, will be maintained in this area throughout construction.

More information about the Penneshaw works, site set up and any potential changes to parking and the terminal area will be provided in advance of works commencing there in late April 2024.

To safely upgrade and operate the new port facility at Cape Jervis, which will accommodate the new, larger ferry vessels and achieve faster turnaround times, unfortunately the existing public jetty at Cape Jervis cannot be retained. We appreciate some people are disappointed with this outcome.

The jetty must be removed to accommodate the new berthing infrastructure that is required to facilitate the new ferry’s operations at the port and to improve navigational safety.

The position of this jetty is very close to the navigational channel, particularly with the new ferry vessels and the increased number of ferry services with faster turnaround times. Without a suitable distance between people and an operating commercial port, there is a risk to both ferry operations and public safety. Therefore, to ensure public safety, it is not possible to construct a replacement jetty at this same location.

The jetty will permanently close from 6am Tuesday 2 April 2024. Works to remove the jetty will then start.

We appreciate the importance of recreational fishing to the local and visiting community. Separately to this project, the Department is exploring alternative options for recreational fishing in the area and invites community to provide their feedback via the Cape Jervis Harbor Precinct Master Plan, details can be found on the Master Plan website www.dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/road_projects/master-planning-for-harbour-precincts

The project is confined to the port and will not have any significant impact to the boat ramp. To facilitate launching of on-water barges and equipment, some short-term impacts may be experienced, however these will be communicated in advance and scheduled to minimise impacts to users as much as possible.

Access to parking, vehicle loading, and the ferry terminal will be maintained at all times. Some minor changes to access may be required throughout construction, any changes to access will be communicated via on-site signage and traffic management personnel.

We will provide advanced notification of any significant changes to passenger and vehicle access as the project progresses.

Changes to the existing vehicle manoeuvring areas and car parking at the Cape Jervis and Penneshaw ferry terminals is not within the scope of the ports upgrade project. The Department is developing broader masterplans for the Cape Jervis and Penneshaw harbour precincts and will consider the terminal areas. For more information about the Master Plans please visit www.dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/road_projects/master-planning-for-harbour-precincts

Yes. We have undertaken consultation and engagement with the relevant representative bodies to determine the appropriate management of the cultural and heritage aspects of the Project area. This engagement will continue throughout the project.

The Penneshaw Public Jetty provides a critical access point for cruise ship tenders and operations on Kangaroo Island. As part of the Kangaroo Island Ports Upgrade the Penneshaw Public Jetty will be refurbished and access from the shore will be realigned to improve safety and access for all harbour users.

The jetty refurbishment will improve existing jetty infrastructure extending its operational life for all users.  Refurbishment works will also realign public access to the jetty, disconnecting it from ferry operations, meaning that temporary closures of the jetty while ferries are berthing will no longer be necessary. This will provide a greater degree of separation between commercial port operations and recreational activities within the Penneshaw Harbour, improving safety and access for all harbour users. More information about these works will be provided before works commence at Penneshaw in April 2024.

The Department acknowledges the paramount importance of marine life and the environment on Kangaroo Island and at Cape Jervis. Recognising the delicate balance that exists between development and environmental preservation, suitable measures will be implemented to ensure responsible construction and operation.

We are committed to safeguarding marine life and the environment by adopting sustainable practices, conducting thorough environmental assessments, selecting the most suitable construction methodologies, and working closely with relevant stakeholders to mitigate any adverse effects.

At Penneshaw we understand the significance of the Little Penguin colony and how important it is that we protect this species. Mitigation measures specifically for the penguins have been identified including targeted preconstruction surveys by a qualified ecologist to determine the presence of active penguin burrows within the project area. We will also work closely with the Penneshaw Penguin Centre over the coming months for their local insights and input.

Construction activities will be carefully staged to ensure that any potential inconvenience to cruise ships and tourism activities are minimised. We will continue to work closely with key tourism stakeholders such as the South Australian Tourism Commission and Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance to ensure the work is delivered smoothly. We will be able to share more detail about construction staging in the coming months once a program has been finalised.

Community and stakeholder engagement will be critical to the successful delivery of the ports upgrade. The Department is committed to ensuring open and continuous communication throughout the construction process.

We understand the importance of staying connected with our community to answer any questions and provide regular updates. Stay up to date on the project and register for ongoing project updates by visiting: www.dit.sa.gov.au/KIPorts or contacting the project engagement team by email at DIT.KangarooIsland@sa.gov.au, or by calling 1300 794 880.