Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the consultation draft of the Fitzroy-Derby Water Resources Management Plan (Plan). In our submission, we make recommendations to support the Plan’s objectives and implementation. Submissions on the Plan closed on 30 June 2026. To read the Plan, and the latest information on the […]
Alcoa is currently subject to two parallel environmental assessment processes for its bauxite mining operations at the Huntly and Willowdale mines in Western Australia’s northern jarrah forests, covering activities through to 2045. At the state level, the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is assessing Alcoa’s mining proposals under the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986. Assessment […]
Read More… from Alcoa bauxite mining proposals in WA — opportunities for public participation
We’re supporting community groups alarmed by approvals and plans to expand mining operations in the northern jarrah forests, part of the South West Global Biodiversity Hotspot in Western Australia. Sign up to follow this critical legal work. Privacy Policy The case at a glance: Sign up to get the legal brief and further updates from […]
Read More… from Get insider updates: Protecting the northern jarrah forests
The Senate Committee Inquiry into the Bills reforming federal environment laws has released its final report, available here. The Inquiry by the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications (Committee) into the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and six related bills (the Bills) reforming the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) framework commenced in October 2025, upon the Bills being introduced to parliament. The Albanese Government rushed […]
Read More… from Senate Inquiry table Final Report on EPBC Bills
On 17 February, 2026, the federal government announced significant developments in how Alcoa’s bauxite mining operations in Western Australia’s jarrah forests are regulated by the the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). Our media release about the announcement is here. Since the decision, EDO has received many enquiries seeking to understand the announcement […]
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt’s decision to allow Alcoa to continue destroying Western Australia’s jarrah forest for another 18 months is a concerning extraordinary use of the “national interest” exemption under our federal environmental laws. Minister Watt announced on Wednesday he had “granted a national‑interest exemption to Alcoa allowing for limited land clearing to continue its mining operations for a period of 18 […]
We work with you and the law to protect our natural world We are the Environmental Defenders Office, and we use the power of the law to defend nature, climate, culture and communities. We are the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific region. Our team of lawyers, scientists and policy experts help communities protect […]
Aluminium giant Alcoa misled the public through an advertisement earlier this year that claimed it had rehabilitated forests it destroyed for bauxite mining, the advertising standards regulator has found. Ad Standards Australia concluded: “…the overall impression created by the advertisement was inaccurate and likely to mislead or deceive target consumers. “… the Panel considered that […]
Read More… from Alcoa’s misleading forest rehabilitation claims breached advertising standards
On behalf of local community groups Western Australia Forest Alliance, the Conservation Council of Western Australia and The Wilderness Society, EDO has reported US mining giant Alcoa to Ad Standards Australia and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. Alcoa placed two advertisements in the West Australian newspaper in May and June 2025 with claims […]
Read More… from US mining giant Alcoa reported for alleged misleading or deceptive conduct
In April 2024, we wrote about the Western Australian Government’s commission of a report by Dr Paul Vogel and David McFerran. Dr Vogel and Mr McFerran were asked to undertake a “short, sharp review” of environmental approval processes and procedures in WA. The result of the review was 39 recommendations, which the government published on […]
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