‘A free pass’: Alcoa pushed back from Perth’s drinking water, but not everyone is happy
New restrictions prohibit bauxite miner Alcoa from operating within two kilometres of reservoirs and increase buffers for cockatoo nesting trees, drawing criticism.
Bauxite miner Alcoa has been subjected to new operating restrictions aimed at safeguarding drinking water supplies around Perth. Under the newly implemented regulations, protection buffers surrounding water reservoirs have been enlarged, strictly prohibiting mining operations within two kilometres of those reservoirs.[1][2]
Alongside the increased buffer zones for water reservoirs, the updated rules mandate increased protection buffers for black cockatoo nesting trees, pushing the company's mining activity further away from sensitive areas.[1][2]
Despite the increased buffers around water infrastructure and nesting trees, the decision has drawn dissatisfaction. Critics have characterized the regulatory outcome as a free pass for the bauxite miner, leaving lingering contention over the protections.[1][2]
