When, why and how did the Dwellingup Protection Group (DPG) form?

2015/2016- Alcoa commenced exploratory drilling close to the township of Dwellingup. In August 2016 the Dwellingup Community Compact (DCC) wrote to residents regarding the bauxite drilling exploration activity around Dwellingup. Following that communication a number of residents either spoke or wrote to the DCC or sent letters directly to Alcoa expressing concerns about any possible future mining close to Dwellingup. A sub-committee of the Dwellingup Community Compact was established, called the Dwellingup Protection group, to identify values and determine an area boundary in and around Dwellingup to protect these values.

What did the Dwellingup Protection Group (DPG) achieve in 2016/2017?

The DPG identified a proposed area for protection from mining around the Dwellingup township and called the proposed area the “Dwellingup Discovery Forest”. The proposed area took into account the social, economic, and environmental values of the area. The group gathered and collated information to provide evidence to support the proposed Dwellingup Discovery Forest.

December 2016

The DPG worked closely with the Shire of Murray who were very supportive and at a full council meeting in December 2016 the Chief Executive Office Dean Unsworth received unanimous support from Council for the following resolution. “That Council delegates to the Chief Executive Officer to liaise and urgently negotiate with Alcoa and the Dwellingup Community to develop a draft ‘non-negotiable’ exclusion zone for future mining in and around the Dwellingup town site and adjacent to important trails in the area”

January 2017

The DDC/DPG worked with support of the Shire of Murray to develop a Position Statement re the proposed Dwellingup Discovery Forest. The DPG met with Alcoa representatives on 13 January 2017to put to Alcoa their Position Statement Bauxite Mining in and around Dwellingup which outlined the proposed Dwellingup Discovery Forest concept.

September 2017

Alcoa wrote to Dwellingup landowners regarding their exploratory drilling around Dwellingup. A questions and answers sheet was attached to that letter. The sheet included the following question and answer: “What is Alcoa’s response to the DDC DRAFT Position Statement, Bauxite Mining in and around Dwellingup?” “Alcoa acknowledges the DCC Position Statement and is engaged in discussions with the group, as it is with other stakeholders in Dwellingup. Alcoa cannot support the DCC position in its current form as it calls for mining to be excluded in a large part of Alcoa’s mineral lease. Alcoa believes there are opportunities to work with the DCC to recognise scientific study, education and nature based tourism values in Dwellingup and has indicated its willingness to do so.”

What has happened since?

2019

Through a partnership between Peel Development Commission and the Shire of Murray the Dwellingup Futures Stakeholders Group was established. The group comprises representation from a number of state agencies, Alcoa, Dwellingup Community Compact (DCC) and Dwellingup Protection Group (DPG). The group is responsible for the development of a road map to guide Dwellingup’s growth and establish a sustainable future for the town through multi-stakeholder collaboration. The Dwellingup Futures Growth Management Road Map is anticipated to be released by May 2021.

June 2020

A letter, dated 12 June 2020, was received by Dwellingup landowners on or around Friday 19 June. The letter stated that Alcoa had recently referred an assessment request to the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regarding their intention to expand their Pinjarra Refinery and mine in the Holyoake area about 5kms East of Dwellingup. The letter stated that Alcoa expected the EPA to make the referral public in the coming weeks. The referral was made public by the EPA on 17 June with public submissions regarding the preferred level of review due by Tuesday 23 June. A total of 1589 submissions were received by the WA EPA in support of a full public review. The WA EPA has since made the decision for a full public review of Alcoa’s assessment request/proposal. Over the next one or two years a Public Environmental review of the proposal will take place which will include an opportunity for the general public to “have their say” once the Environmental Review document has been prepared and released for public comment.