The South Australian Ombudsman has found former Attorney-General and Planning Minister Vickie Chapman did not have a conflict of interest when she refused permission for a port to be built at Smith Bay on Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island Plantation and Timber had applied to build an export facility at the bay, which would have included a jetty of up to 650m long.

Ms Chapman refused the application in August last year, saying it would have a lasting impact on the environment, local business and character of the Island.

A Parliamentary Committee then found she had acted in a position of conflict of interest saying she owned land which would be impacted by the development and has a financial interest in the local tourism industry.

The Parliament passed a vote of no-confidence in Ms Chapman and the matter was also referred to the Ombudsman for investigation.

Ms Chapman stood aside from her ministerial responsibilities but strenuously denied any wrongdoing or conflict of interest.

In his report released yesterday the Ombudsman, Wayne Lines, agreed. He said his examination of whether there was a conflict between Ms Chapmans’ private interests and her public duty to decide the application on its merits led him to conclude that Ms Chapman did not have a conflict of interest at the relevant time.

He found the impact of the Smith Bay development would not have impacted on the value of Ms Chapman’s Gum Valley property or affected her way of life as she does not reside on the Island.

The full report is available online.