i suggest 1200mm is the minimum along the length of the island and 90cm at the ends (providing the island is less than 90cm deep) but it really depends on the size of the island and the rest of the room

Unfortunately Erina, your best bet sometimes in this industry is to cut your losses and if it important enough to rectify, outsource a separate contractor/company to come in and re-do it at your own expense.....you just have to look at it as part of the cost of your project.......many people will have stories of deciding pay twice (sometimes more!) to eventually achieve the satisfactory results - ultimately you have to live with it long term and sometimes it's worth it to get it right....ultimately only you can make that decision one way or the other........it's not necessarily right or fair, but unfortunately these are the risks (& hard lessons) of building Best of luck Erina, PD :)

i'm wondering if you would consider adding extra counters along the outside wall for the sink and dishwasher and to allow counter space for a coffee machine and kettle (and toaster?) without cramping the counters beside the cooktop and to allow for a wider fridge and potential space for a stacked wall oven and microwave a and a 1050 x 1050 corner cabinet at the entry to the pantry would be so much easier to access than squeezed in next to the pantry fridge

No it’s great. I can put all the mess behind me easily. You have space to left of sink to place your dirty dishes. To right of sink, incl any dish drainer is great to support cooking on stove. I have all my cutlery and crockery in island directly opp dishwasher. With 1200mm between I can open dishwasher and unload directly into drawers.I do like having my stove, air fryer and microwave all close as often using all 3. Hardly use my oven now I have air fryer. Perhaps because I really need a new oven….. that will come with my new kitchen if I ever get around to choosing bench and getting quotes.