A new world-class golf course, The Cliffs KI, is on track for completion in late 2024, with the official ground breaking ceremony held in early December.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and  KI has been instrumental in getting the project up and running helping to progress the vital water supply needed to make it happen.

The project is touted as a world-class golfing destination, expected to draw more than 40,000 global tourists in its first year, generating massive tourism expenditure.

Lack of water was a huge roadblock to the $20m project, which RDA helped to overcome by working to bring forward the island’s proposed new desalination plant.

SA Water had developed a long-term plan for the island’s water security with its 2030 Kangaroo Island Water Plan, which included construction of a desalination plant at Penneshaw.

RDA was asked to advocate to bring this plan forward by 10 years to enable the golf course to be built, working with Kangaroo Island Council and SA Water.

Ironically, the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires moved the desal plant up the priority list, with $20 million in bushfire recovery funding helping to push it forward.

The deal plant is now expected to be operational in the 2023/24 financial year, enabling planning of the golf course to proceed.

The Cliffs venture will pay for the pipeline connection from the plant, as well as water consumed, with water also stored in an on-site reservoir.

Once completed the course will include a clubhouse, restaurant, pro shop, accommodation suites and around 20 eco pods, along with a native plant nursery and maintenance buildings.

Regional Development Manager Sue Arlidge, attended the official soil turning ceremony on Thursday 8 December, along with SA Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison, pro-golfer Wade Ormsby and course designer Darius Oliver.

Follow the progress of The Cliffs KI on its website. Full details of RDA Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and  KI involvement are on its website.