Almost three quarters of South Australians want Kangaroo Island to be protected from planned oil and gas drilling, according to polling data released by the Australian Greens today.

A Lonergan poll of 1582 South Australians found only 16 per cent of voters supported the Bight Petroleum proposal for oil and gas exploration in the Kangaroo Island Canyon and Pools.

The Australian Greens have today paid tribute to Mayor Joy Baluch, a courageous advocate for the Port Augusta community.

"I met Joy on a trip to Port Augusta last year to see first-hand the strong community campaign for renewable energy," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"A fitting tribute to her memory would be to fulfil her dream of repowering Port Augusta with solar energy."

South Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Joy was a strong, passionate leader for the Port Augusta community.

As 2012 draws to a close, we should reflect on the significant political achievements of a productive minority Parliament, Acting Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, said today.

Here is the Greens' 'best of' for 2012:

Well! It's official - years scoot by when you pack lots into them. "Yesterday" I was reflecting on 2011. And here I am, looking back on 2012, amazed to consider what the Australian Greens have achieved this year.

With time for making public submissions running out fast, Australian Greens Senator for South Australia, Penny Wright, has encouraged South Australians to stand up for Kangaroo Island and tell Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke KI is too precious to lose.

 Last week Bight Petroleum - which holds two exploration permits about 50km to the west of Kangaroo Island - formally applied for approval to begin oil and gas exploration in the area between January and May next year.  The company intends to start drilling in 2014.

The Australian Greens are calling on Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to do the right thing by Kangaroo Island by requiring a detailed environmental impact assessment to happen before Bight Petroleum can start exploring for oil and gas off the Island's west coast.

 Today Bight Petroleum - which holds two exploration permits about 50km to the west of Kangaroo Island - formally applied for approval to begin oil and gas exploration in the area between January and May next year.  The company intends to start drilling in 2014.