The State Government has repealed regulations which exempted private developments worth more than $1 million in Kangaroo Island's Flinders Chase National Park from normal native vegetation approval processes.

The regulation allowed for the then State Coordinator-General to approve removal of the vegetation, removing decision powers from the Native Vegetation Council.

With the regulation repealed, all future development assessments involving the clearance of native vegetation will now be subject to full statutory processes under the relevant planning authority.

The move comes on the back of strong community opposition to the previous government’s changes and honours the State Government’s election commitment.

Manager Native Vegetation Sarah Rechill said it’s important to reduce the impact of development on flora, fauna and biodiversity.

“South Australia has unique visitor experiences because we have such pristine regions. Protecting our native flora helps maintain this,” Sarah said.

Parliament passed a climate emergency motion last week with Environment Minister Susan Close indicating that the changes to the Natives Vegetation Act was high on her list of priorities.

The Malinauskas Government has also promised to build a $593M hydrogen power plant (likely to be built at Port Bonython near Whyalla) and restore environmental flows to the River Murray.

It is hoped the power plant would reduce the wholesale electricity price in South Australia by about 8%.

They will also remove a tax on electric vehicles.