As we pass the winter solstice, let’s reflect on some of our big wins over the last six months and consider what the rest of the year holds for WAFA’s campaigns. Reflecting on the wins is an important way we can ensure we don’t get burnt out, maintain our passion, and keep working towards full protection for WA’s Southwest forests.

First of all, a huge congratulations to Giz Watson and Peter Robertson, who have both been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia this year. Giz and Peter have been campaigning for WA’s forests for decades, and without their hard work, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

End Forest Mining

• In February, Alcoa was found to be in breach of the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) for over 15 years of clearing without approval. It was fined $55 million, the largest fine of its kind, and the Federal Government will now assess Alcoa’s current and future mining in a Strategic Assessment over the next 18 months;
• To mark the first day of Parliament, hundreds of people gathered at Parliament House to make sure forest mining is top of the agenda for the WA Labor Government this year;
• Bob Brown Foundation’s nationwide March for Forests was held in March, with WA events focused on the end forest mining campaign. Over 3,000 people attended in Perth and a further 500 between Margaret River and Albany, over ⅕ of the marches’ national attendance;
• Community-led NVDA in the Northern Jarrah Forest is back for the first time since the 1970s! Two groups have stopped work at Alcoa sites, with 14 activists being fined a total of $7000;
• Juice Media created an ‘honest government ad’ about Alcoa, that has now been viewed more than 1.5 million times. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out: on YouTube or on Instagram;
• In June, Alcoa’s exemption order was revoked, not because of Alcoa’s numerous suspected breaches, but an administrative process in order for the Government to approve Alcoa’s next Mining Management Program. In just 14 days, almost 10,000 letters were sent to the Environment Minister and the Premier calling for Alcoa not to be issued with a new exemption, and for the company to be made to wait whilst we wait for outcomes on the State and Federal assessments of its mining. You can add your voice here;
• You’ve sent 38,000 emails to decision makers across the country from local MPs to Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, urging them to reject Alcoa’s expansion plans;
• Alcoa has confirmed that exploration drilling within Kalamunda, Mundaring and Armadale has been removed from its 2025-2029 and 2026-2030 Mining and Management Programs and will not be included in its operational areas between now and 2045 under assessment by the Federal Government. This is community pressure at work, but until the areas are permanently excised from Alcoa’s enormous lease, Alcoa is not prohibited from adding these areas into future exploration or mining proposals. 
• Billionaire-owned mining company Telupac’s applications to explore the Northern Jarrah Forests continue in the Mining Warden’s Court after WAFA and other community and conservation groups objected in 2022 and 2023, guarding nearly 130,000ha of forests, for now. The tenements must not be granted.

Forest management

• In December 2025, the fire-sensitive tingle forests received a temporary but major reprieve from prescribed burning due to community pressure. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) removed three burns, Mount Clare, Nornalup and Coalmine, from the 2025-2026 burn program due to a reallocation of “operational priorities”. The three blocks remain on the 3-year burn plan so we are calling on the Minister for Environment and DBCA to protect tingles permanently; 
• Tunes for the Tingles was a big success, selling out its original venue and raising critical funds to support Tingle Action Group in continuing its frontline efforts to stop burning in tingle forests;
• We’ve been out in the forest checking out the DBCA “ecological thinning” program, and we’re working on an updated position statement and webpage to keep you informed. We’ll soon have a thinning watch program where you can help us keep an eye on thinning operations across the Southwest;
• Bob Brown made the trek to the tingle forest on his recent visit to WA,  joining the Tingle Action Group to see the beauty of long unburnt tingle forest and the impact of prescribed burning in the region;
• Jason spoke at the ‘Time to Burn’ exhibition opening at Holmes à Court gallery, Vasse Felix, which examines the environmental, cultural, and ecological implications of prescribed burning through artistic and community perspectives. The exhibition will be shown again in Perth later in the year.

Media interest in issues facing WA’s forests continues to increase, including nationally from The Guardian, The Saturday Paper, The Conversation, The Australia Institute’s The Point, as well as internationally from nature publication Mongabay and Sunday Times UK.

We’d like to thank you for supporting WA Forest Alliance, whether that’s through sending an email, volunteering, donating, or any other way you’re involved in our campaigns. 

There’s still time to make a tax-deductible donation to support WAFA’s work for the future. 

Through making a donation, you’ll enable us to remain independent and effective, calling out those who pose a threat to the Southwest’s magnificent forests.

You’ll help us:

• Advocate for stronger environmental protections
• Conduct vital research and monitoring
• Pursue legal avenues
• Reach wider audiences through advertising and media
• Engage communities through education, events and conversations