At its meeting last week the KIDB reviewed the findings of its Local Roads Levy survey of island businesses. It reported a significant negative response from its survey.

KIDB chief executive officer Pierre Gregor said the board had engaged in rigorous discussion and voted to support the Watergap Project as the number one priority.

The council has proposed a levy of about $10 on all island visitors, with exemptions for residents, ratepayers and children.

The KIDB has released its Watergap Project which recommends federal and state government subsidies for freight and passenger vehicles to provide equity for island businesses and residents.

“The board recognised the significant economic and social benefit that would flow across all industry sectors and the general community from the Watergap project,” Mr Gregor said.

Meanwhile, two other influential boards have backed the council’s proposed levy.

At a recent meeting the Kangaroo Island natural resources Management Board resolved to write to the council supporting the Local Roads Levy.

The NRM board ack-

nowledged the work the council had undertaken “to reach this point”.

AgKI board members have voted to support the levy.

Board spokeswoman Ann Gregory-Holt said the board recognised that the council needed an alternative source of income.

It recognised that in the absence of any other alternative, the impact of doing nothing would be detrimental to the island’s future road maintenance.