Forest Under Threat
Photo: Inglehope Arboretum, Zone 6
The Discovery Forest is under threat of mining by aluminium company Alcoa of Australia.
Alcoa has submitted a proposal that includes an expansion of the Pinjarra Refinery and two new areas proposed for mining. One near Jarrahdale (the Myara North mining area) and one east of Dwellingup (the Holyoake mining area) that lies about 5kms east of Dwellingup. The proposal would mine 8,700 hectares and will encroach upon the Dwellingup Discovery Forest.
Huntly Mine
What is being done to protect the forest?
A group of concerned locals taking action to protect the Dwellingup Discovery Forest by forming a group called The Dwellingup Discovery Forest Working Group (DDFWG). Learn more about the history of the Dwellingup Discovery Forest and the evolution of the DDFWG group here.
Who is the Dwellingup Discovery Forest Working Group (DDFWG)
The DDFWG is a group of concerned locals who are taking to action to protect the Dwellingup Discovery Forest.
What does the Dwellingup Discovery Forest Working Group (DDFWG) want to achieve?
To protect the Dwellingup Discovery Forest area from further bauxite mining by Alcoa.
What does Alcoa want to do?
Alcoa’s complete proposal includes an expansion of the Pinjarra Refinery and two new areas proposed for mining, one near Jarrahdale (the Myara North mining area) and one east of Dwellingup (the Holyoake mining area). The proposed Holyoake mining area lies only 5 km east of Dwellingup.
Does the Dwellingup Discovery Forest Working Group want to stop bauxite mining altogether?
No, the Dwellingup Discovery Forest Working group is proposing that mining be indefinitely deferred in Zone 5 (Murray Basin Wilderness Zone) and a small section of zone 4 (Drinking Water Protection Zone), next to the South Dandalup Dam. This would protect forest, wildlife habitat and historical townsites in an area of 4,260 Ha.
The WA EPA has made a decision to give Alcoa’s proposal the highest level of assessment – a full Public Environmental Review - what does this mean?
This means that the process of assessing Alcoa’s proposal will be open for public comment.
The WA EPA has made a decision to give Alcoa’s proposal the highest level of assessment – a full Public Environmental Review - what does this mean?
This means that the process of assessing Alcoa’s proposal will be open for public comment.
What are the steps in a full Public Environmental Review ?
1. Alcoa will put forward their Environmental Scoping Document showing how they intend to respond to the environmental factors raised by the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). This document needs to be approved by the WA EPA and could take a couple of months.
2. Alcoa then prepares the Environmental Review Document (also reviewed by the WA EPA and external reviewers) before it is released for Public Comment- usually takes 1-2 years.
3. The Public Submission Period then begins and will be open for 8 weeks.
What’s the urgency?
We want to make sure that everyone can be informed, involved, and have their say.
What is the Shire of Murray’s position?
The Shire of Murray passed a Council Resolution in December 2017.
