To raise awareness and funding for the WA Forest Alliance to stop the proposed expansion of Alcoa’s bauxite strip mining in the Northern Jarrah Forests, two Little Jarrah Walks will take place on July 26 and 27.
Following Denmark campaigner Ricky England’s 250 kilometer walk last month, Serpentine Jarrahdale residents have been provided with their own chance to rally.
The walks are supported by the WA Forest Alliance as well as the Conservation Council of WA, the Wilderness Society, and End Forest Mining.
Mr England said the walks were about bringing the community together to understand the impacts of forest mining in the Northern Jarrah Forest, including the effects of the loss of native environment.
“Alcoa has a two-pronged proposal before WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to clear an area of threatened species habitat in Perth’s water catchment zone equivalent to 27.5 Kings Parks, or 5,355 Optus Stadium playing surfaces approximately,” he said.
“Many people don’t realise the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail are under attack, with relocations of these tracks happening regularly and more planned. Bush walkers are not happy and there are a lot of us.
“We are all about our kids and the future generations.”
The Little Jarrah Walks are open for anyone to participate, taking place at Mount Cooke on Saturday for more experienced bushwalkers, and at Inglehope on Sunday, which is better suited for families.
Mr England will lead the July 26 walk at 10am from the Sullivan Rock car park to Mount Cooke, with an estimated time frame of 3.5 to four hours and 11km.
On Sunday, the walk will depart from Inglehope Road at 9:30am, taking approximately the same amount of time to complete as Saturday’s Mount Cooke walk, with Sunday participants completing 10.5km.
Hikers should bring sufficient water, snacks and a rain jacket or poncho to protect from unpredictable winter weather.
Bauxite is mined in WA to produce alumina, which is then refined into aluminium, to then be used in construction, transport and packaging industries.
However, the loss of habitat for threatened species such as the black cockatoos, as well as failed rehabilitation of native vegetation lost in the bauxite mining areas of the forest has been a much-contested topic, with Alcoa’s public review of the proposed expansion closing on August 21.
