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$55 million payment lets Alcoa continue clearing endangered Northern Jarrah Forest (aussie.zone)
submitted 8 months ago by to c/environment@aussie.zone
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"The federal government has struck a ‘deal’ with Alcoa that allows the mining giant to continue clearing the Northern Jarrah Forest, despite findings that it illegally destroyed habitat for nationally protected species between 2019 and 2025.

Under the agreement, Alcoa will pay $55 million through ‘enforceable undertakings’—an outcome the federal government is claiming as “the largest conservation-focused commitment of its kind.”

In reality, by not prosecuting Alcoa, the government has essentially handed the US-mining giant a “Get Out of Jail Free” card—transforming what should have been a massive regulatory breach into a strategic endeavour."

https://wilderness.org.au/news-events/regulatory-hall-pass-55-million-payment-lets-alcoa-continue-clearing-endangered-northern-jarrah-forest

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[–] [S] 4 points 8 months ago (1 child)

I hope there will be some action we can take soon.

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    • [–] 3 points 8 months ago (1 child)

    Minister's press release

    The undertakings, which are enforceable in the Federal Court, will deliver:

    • permanent ecological offsets to preserve important habitat;
    • expanded conservation programs for species including Western Australia’s three black cockatoo species; and
    • strengthened invasive‑species management within the Northern Jarrah Forest.

    I hope organisations like the wilderness society can keep track of these 'undertakings' otherwise i can see them not being fulfilled.

    I have also granted a national‑interest exemption to Alcoa allowing for limited land clearing to continue its mining operations for a period of 18 months, while the strategic assessment is completed.

    Thats mighty close to the next election. A more cynical person than I might think, for the sake of convenience, an 'exemption' like this could get rolled over after the time limit expires.. not me.. I'm not thaaaaat cynical..

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