The Jarrahdale Forest Protectors (JFP) are gearing up for their first ever major on-site protest against Alcoa, and are asking the public to join them.
At the end of May Alcoa made an application to clear up to 20 hectares of forest to the north east of the Serpentine Dam.
Alcoa has outlined the purpose of this clearing as “preliminary works”, including digging up to 100 test pits and sinking 16 water bores for geotechnical tests.
“The geotechnical investigation is proposed to support engineering design for future mining within the Myara North region,” Alcoa’s application reads.
This ‘future mining’ relates to a 10-year plan to clear 6,700 hectares of native jarrah forest around Myara North and Holyoke to increase its capacity for bauxite mining under the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery Revised Proposal – a proposal which is currently being reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
After public submissions opposing the clearing works, Alcoa revised its clearing footprint for these ‘preliminary works’ down to 18.4 hectares, with a clearing area of 11 hectares.
“Alcoa does not intend to clear any vegetation, however vegetation will be disturbed by a drill rig and other supporting vehicles being driven over it to access test locations. Alcoa acknowledges that any native vegetation disturbance must be minimised and has therefore reduced its requested clearing footprint and clearing area,” Alcoa said in a response to submissions.
But the fact of the matter remains that Alcoa is attempting to begin geotechnical works for a plan that is yet to be approved.
“There are 13 conservation-significant species of animal in that area,” JFP deputy chair Dr Jeff Bremer said.
“If the larger [Pinjarra Alumina Refinery Revised] proposal doesn’t get approval they could be clearing hectares of forest for nothing.
“It’s about the impact on endangered species. The Baudin’s black cockatoo is on its way to extinction. This clearing could be critical to its survival.”
The Jarrahdale Forest Protectors have mobilised quickly in order to rally on-site, before clearing works restrict their access.
“By acting now, we can avoid being an illegal assembly that would happen when and if a clearing permit is approved and access becomes restricted. Our intention is to keep everyone safe while sending a loud message to Alcoa and the government,” organisers have said.
The protest rally is scheduled for this Sunday, with everyone invited to meet at 10am at the Bruno Gianatti Hall on Munro Street in Jarrahdale. The group will then travel to site from 10.30am.
