A proposal sent to the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale by Alcoa suggested it should increase operations by five percent from 5 million tonnes per year to 5.25 million tonnes and transition the Huntly Bauxite mine to Myara North and Holyoake mine regions to re-enter the O’Neil mine region in the Darling Range.
This proposal would allow Alcoa to expand operations until 2045 and continue operations at the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery, the Huntly Bauxite Mine, and potentially reopen the Kwinana Alumina Refinery.
At Monday’s ordinary council meeting, shire councillors discussed the report and submitted recommendations to the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Public Environmental Review of Alcoa’s revised proposal, with a specific focus on the expansion into future mining regions of Myara North for the following two decades.
Former shire president Michelle Rich said she was concerned about the environmental, economic and social effects the approved proposal would have on the shire.
“It’s about the integrity of our long-term vision for the Serpentine Jarrahdale, and the future of forest, water, tourism and towns that depend on it,” she said.
“The shire has a duty, not only to protect its residents and its natural assets, but to advocate for integrated planning that aligns with state level strategies in water security, regional development, tourism and climate resilience.
“The mining expansion clearly conflicts with those goals.
“The submission must demand that the mining expansion should not be allowed to compromise current or future water assets that belong to the public.
“Approving this expansion is not only environmentally damaging, it is also economically and socially short-sighted.”
During the assessment by council, several issues about potential negative environmental impacts were raised.
Cr Nathan Bishop raised an alternate recommendation and said it reflected the original officer’s comments.
“Point A includes the shire’s overall position be one of clear opposition to the proposal,” he said.
“Reference in the strongest terms be made to the long-term and likely irreversible net reduction in flora as a result of the proposal, including the risk of harm to threatened jarrah forest.
“Reference in the strongest terms be made to the unacceptable and long-term impact upon fauna, particularly the endangered black cockatoo species whose foraging and nesting habitat will likely be significantly and irreversibly reduced as a result of the proposal.
“Point D, reference in the strongest terms be made to the likely irreversible impacts to the local economy and tourism sector, including to the State Government supported Jarrahdale Trail Centre project, as a result of the ecological harm anticipated to be caused by the proposal.”
Cr Bishop also inserted a motion that the amended proposal be referred back to council for revision at the August 18 ordinary council meeting, prior to submission to Alcoa’s public feedback which closes on August 21.
The motion with recommendations was passed unanimously, motioned by Cr Bishop and seconded by Cr Courtney Mazzini, with Cr Reece Jerrett unable to comment on the specific agenda item due to financial conflicts.
