As it happened: WA news on Thursday, May 29

For the first time in its 60 years of operation in Western Australia alumina producer Alcoa’s Perth hills mining plans are open for public consultation.

Since the 1960s, Alcoa’s mining in the state’s jarrah forests was allowed under a state agreement that provided little opportunity for public scrutiny.

Recent revelations by this masthead about the impact of Alcoa’s bauxite strip-mining operations on the jarrah forests and the threats it posed to WA’s drinking water supply triggered community outcry, prompting the state Labor government to revise how it approved Alcoa’s mining.

Alcoa’s mining of WA jarrah forests will be scrutinised by the state’s environmental watchdog for the first time.Credit: Nine News Perth

On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Authority opened a 12-week consultation period for Alcoa’s mining plans from 2023 to 2027 – including clearing of nearly 15,000 hectares of forest – and the expansion of its Pinjarra Alumina Refinery.

EPA chair Darren Walsh said a 12-week consultation period was appropriate.

“The sheer volume, the unique biodiversity of the Northern Jarrah Forest, and the number of environmental factors to consider means a 12-week public consultation period is entirely appropriate,” he said.

The Greens and environmental groups welcomed the chance to comment on Alcoa’s plans.

New Greens MP Jess Beckerling said if Alcoa was allowed to clear nearly 15,000 hectares of an already struggling forest, it could be the final nail in the coffin for threatened species like black cockatoos.

Ahead of the state election, Beckerling promised to use the Greens’ balance of power to push Labor to end forest mining.

When asked what steps the Greens had made to push for that she said it was “early days”.

Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller said the company had made significant changes to its mining plans to avoid highly prized areas in the northern jarrah forest and avoid drinking water zones.

“We’ve made important changes including the creation of a mining avoidance zone of about 2,600 hectares around Jarrahdale and adjusted our plans to avoid areas of environmental and social value including the Bibbulmun Track,” she said.

“In addition, we will maintain public access to various other tracks and trails that are used by the local community and visitors to the region.”

Thanks for joining us today, readers. We will have more for you in the next live news coverage.

Here is a recap of what made news today:

• Alcoa’s mining open to public consultation for first time in 60 years
• Murujuga traditional owners determined to get World Heritage listing
• Injured Eagle upbeat ahead of surgery on season-ending shoulder injury
• Police probe Innaloo stabbing
• Joondalup Resort apartment plans voted down by council
• One Nation gets another senator after WA candidate edges out Labor
• Richmond premiership star pleads guilty to dealing with proceeds of crime in Perth District court

Premier Roger Cook and Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia have opened up about their families’ struggles having children with type one diabetes ahead of the Blue Tie Ball fundraising event on June 7.

Premier Cook’s daughter Isabel was seven when she was diagnosed with the condition.

Premier Roger Cook and Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia with type one diabetes families and Breakthrough T1D staff.

“Obviously for any parent, it’s a shock. You’re in a whirlwind of confusion, anxiety and concern for your kid and so it is a traumatic experience,” he said.

“We had to get Isabel up to Princess Margaret Hospital, quick-smart to begin her journey in relation to type one diabetes, and she’s been on that journey ever since.

“She’s now a young adult and she’s managing it herself. She now has constant glucose monitoring systems and digital applications, which allow her to monitor her blood sugar levels all the time and to manage it much better.“

Papalia said his son Jacob was six at the time they found out about his condition.

“It is still a vivid memory, one of the most confronting things I’ve done in my life is hold my son down while he’s kicking and screaming to get insulin because he needed it to keep him alive, and he didn’t know what was happening,” he said.

“I’ve done a lot of challenging, confronting things in my life as a Navy diver, but that was the toughest thing I’ve ever done.“

Cook and Papalia met with families of children with type one diabetes on the steps of parliament today, ahead of the Blue Tie Ball.

Blue Tie Ball organiser Breakthrough T1D hope to raise more than $1 million at the event for T1D research.

For the first time in its 60 years of operation in Western Australia alumina producer Alcoa’s Perth hills mining plans are open for public consultation.

Since the 1960s, Alcoa’s mining in the state’s jarrah forests was allowed under a state agreement that provided little opportunity for public scrutiny.

Recent revelations by this masthead about the impact of Alcoa’s bauxite strip-mining operations on the jarrah forests and the threats it posed to WA’s drinking water supply triggered community outcry, prompting the state Labor government to revise how it approved Alcoa’s mining.

Alcoa’s mining of WA jarrah forests will be scrutinised by the state’s environmental watchdog for the first time.Credit: Nine News Perth

On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Authority opened a 12-week consultation period for Alcoa’s mining plans from 2023 to 2027 – including clearing of nearly 15,000 hectares of forest – and the expansion of its Pinjarra Alumina Refinery.

EPA chair Darren Walsh said a 12-week consultation period was appropriate.

“The sheer volume, the unique biodiversity of the Northern Jarrah Forest, and the number of environmental factors to consider means a 12-week public consultation period is entirely appropriate,” he said.

The Greens and environmental groups welcomed the chance to comment on Alcoa’s plans.

New Greens MP Jess Beckerling said if Alcoa was allowed to clear nearly 15,000 hectares of an already struggling forest, it could be the final nail in the coffin for threatened species like black cockatoos.

Ahead of the state election, Beckerling promised to use the Greens’ balance of power to push Labor to end forest mining.

When asked what steps the Greens had made to push for that she said it was “early days”.

Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller said the company had made significant changes to its mining plans to avoid highly prized areas in the northern jarrah forest and avoid drinking water zones.

“We’ve made important changes including the creation of a mining avoidance zone of about 2,600 hectares around Jarrahdale and adjusted our plans to avoid areas of environmental and social value including the Bibbulmun Track,” she said.

“In addition, we will maintain public access to various other tracks and trails that are used by the local community and visitors to the region.”

Heavy rain is forecast over the WA Day long weekend, and with it comes a warning from the Road Safety Commission.

Up to 20 millimetres of rain is expected for Friday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and the wet weather will continue through to next week, with a storm threatening on Tuesday along with bucketloads more rain continuing into Wednesday.

Perth is bracing for a wet long weekend. Credit: Christopher Pearce

Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said the biggest concern was people’s rush to get on the road for a winter break.

“That haste and eagerness to get to where they’re going as fast as they can, mixed with more cars on
the road and bad weather is a deadly combination,” Warner said.

“In 2024, almost half of all fatalities happened on roads of 100km/h or higher, most of these in
regional areas.

“Speed limits are the maximum safe speed under perfect road conditions; clear roads, no hazards
and good weather – but when the conditions aren’t favourable, busy roads, road works and bad weather, you need to slow down.”

Bureau senior meteorologist Caroline Crow urged residents to check the latest forecast and warnings on the BoM website.

WA Police Commander Mike Peters said officers would be taking an “increased enforcement approach” to the long weekend.

“This includes an increase in the number of high visibility patrols particularly within a 400-kilometre radius from Perth, known as the ‘The Arc of Influence’.

“Our officers do not want to knock on your door during this long weekend to deliver devastating and life-changing news about the loss of a loved one on our roads.

“The message is simple, don’t speed. Every police vehicle across the state will be undertaking some sort of road enforcement and our safety camera fleet will also be out in force.”

Landsdale MP and cabinet secretary Daniel Pastorelli was given a $345,000 payout for leaving his job as Roger Cook’s former chief-of-staff.

Pastorelli, who spent 16 years as a public servant, was one of 34 government employees who received end-of-term payouts under the Public Sector Management Act, totalling $3 million.

He was also one of three new MPs elected in March who came from Cook government ministerial office roles.

Daniel Pastorelli (seated, right) was chief of staff for former premier Mark McGowan and current Premier Roger Cook before he was elected to parliament following the retirement of Margaret Quirk (left).

In response to questions in parliament from new upper house Liberal MP Anthony Spagnolo, the government revealed Cannington MP Ron Sao got a $112,464 payout, while upper house MP Klasey Hirst received a $52,000 payout.

“This is consistent with what occurred under the previous Liberal-National government,” Labor’s leader in the upper house Stephen Dawson said.

“Following the 2017 state election, termination payments to ministerial staff of the previous Liberal-National government totalled more than $5.6 million.”

Dawson pointed out that Spagnolo himself would have received a payment after his time in the former Barnett government office.

Sao said the payout formed part of his contract while he was a public servant.

“In terms of comfort, I mean, it’s just part of my entitlements. It’s part of the contract that I signed, and it’s under the act,” he said.

When asked whether there should be a review into public servants becoming MPs receiving the end of term payout, Sao said those were questions for other people.

“I’m just abiding by the laws that are at the time for me. So I’ve just accepted what my contract is,” he said.

Hirst declined to comment and Pastorelli was approached for comment.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said the issue was around job security and whether staffers becoming MPs had job security.

“I understand that for people of all political persuasions, job security can come to an end at the end of a term of government. I guess the question here is, was there any ambiguity around job security? That’s the question,” he said.

The traditional owner group which oversees the Murujuga rock art gallery says it remains determined to get the area World Heritage listed despite being dealt a blow by UNESCO this week.

In a draft decision to be put to the UNESCO World Heritage committee in Paris in July, the bid is poised to be sent back to the Commonwealth over fears the rock art is not adequately protected from nearby industrial emissions, including those from the North West Shelf.

A petroglyph of a spotted quoll, in Murujuga.Credit: Bianca Hall

The draft decision was informed by a report by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which is tasked with assessing sites nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing.

The UNESCO committee will consider sending the bid back to the Commonwealth to “ensure the total removal of degrading acidic emissions, currently impacting upon the petroglyphs of the Murujuga Cultural Landscape”, and “prevent any further industrial development”.

The revelations came the same day federal environment minster Murray Watt approved a 40-year extension of life for Woodside’s North West Shelf assets.

Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation chairman Peter Hicks said it was clear from the ICOMOS report that Murujuga should be on the World Heritage list.

“The evaluation report provides the pathway to finalising World Heritage listing and while the referral adds another small step to our journey, it is a positive outcome and not a rejection,” he said.

“While it is disappointing, we are determined to finish our journey and see the Murujuga Cultural Landscape included on the World Heritage List as soon as possible.”

Watt told WAtoday on Wednesday the ICOMOS findings were based on “factual inaccuracies”.

ICOMOS declined to comment.

Jake Waterman has spoken for the first time after his season-ending shoulder injury during West Coast’s loss to the Adelaide Crows on Sunday, remaining upbeat as he started down a potential four-month rehabilitation.

The Eagles confirmed this week that Waterman would need surgery to repair “extensive damage” to the shoulder and would be moved to the team’s inactive list.

Jake Waterman with his arm in a sling after the Eagles’ loss to Adelaide on Sunday.Credit: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Speaking to Mark Readings and Will Schofield on 6PR’s Wide World of Sports on Wednesday evening, Waterman revealed he was booked in for surgery on Thursday afternoon, after which he will have a “slow couple of weeks”, with a 3½ to four-month recovery.

“I knew pretty quickly when it happened that I’d done some serious damage,” he said.

“It hasn’t quite hit me yet, and it probably won’t until a few weeks down the track, when I’m either sitting at home on the couch watching the boys, or up in the players’ box watching the boys, that I’ll realise that I’m unable to get out with them for the rest of the year.

“But you know these are the cards that I’ve been dealt, you’ve got to step into it, embrace it, there are people out there far worse off who haven’t had the opportunity to play at all this year.”

Waterman was confident he would remain involved with the club despite his injury: “I’ve got to make myself useful in one capacity or another.”

“It hasn’t been determined just yet, but Mini’s (West Coast coach Andrew McQualter) always pretty keen for me to get involved, whether it be at a WAFL level, getting down there and helping out with some of the young forwards coming through, or whether it’s an AFL level game day role, sitting at the bench or something, he said.

“I know Oscar [Allen]’s done a bit of it in the past when he’s missed some footy, and I think sometimes just players having another player on the bench that’s not playing, just as a bit of sounding board, was really effective for me throughout games over the past few years.”

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has downplayed an embarrassing technological mishap where a journalist from The West Australian newspaper was added to a WhatsApp group used to share daily talking points for politicians.

The newspaper reported on Thursday one of its journalists was inadvertently added to the WhatsApp group and remained there for 28 days before being removed.

WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas.Credit: Hamish Hastie

It was reported the group was used to communicate media talking points for the day between Liberal and Nationals MPs, and discussion around what journalists were asking what questions.

Speaking outside parliament this morning, Zempilas said it was an innocent mistake.

“We are communicating and functioning like a modern political organisation, and in fact, I’m very proud that we’re all on the same page,” he said.

“Obviously, it was an innocent mistake. These things happen. I don’t know how they happen, actually, but it’s happened to me in the past where I’ve had somebody else’s name next to somebody else’s number.

“It was an innocent mistake, and it’s been rectified and no harm done.”

Nationals leader Shane Love said it was “obviously unfortunate”, but wasn’t embarrassing to him or Zempilas.

“What would have been embarrassing is if we’d had people who were not disciplined … and if you review all of the information on that, you’ll see nothing but a professional organisation going about its job,” he said.

The WhatsApp mix-up rings of the “Signalgate” controversy which engulfed the Trump administration in March after a senior journalist at The Atlantic was added to a Signal chat group in which high-level Trump bureaucrats discussed attack plans.

A man in his 30s was taken to hospital on Wednesday evening after being stabbed in Innaloo.

Police are investigating after officers were called to Odin Road about 5.30pm on reports of a man with “stab wound injuries”.

Police at the scene of a stabbing in Innaloo. Credit: Night News

He was taken by St John Ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, a WA Police spokeswoman said, while a man known to the victim has been taken into custody and was assisting police with their inquiries.

Mirrabooka detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and have called on anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Plans for a series of apartment complexes alongside the Joondalup Resort golf course were voted down at a council meeting earlier this week.

The resort had wanted to build three apartment buildings – the highest of which would have been 14 storeys – integrated with the existing hotel.

Joondalup Resort’s plan is for the area’s “desired future character”. But residents nearby were more worried about the area’s current character.Credit: Artist's impression

But they faced fierce opposition from nearby residents concerned about amenity and character impacts in the low-density northern suburb.

The residents formed an action group – Connolly SOS – and fired up a letterboxing campaign which ultimately gathered 539 objections to the proposal.

Connolly SOS chairman David Smith told WAtoday earlier this month anyone living on level two upwards in the proposed development would be looking directly into neighbours’ backyards despite the separation.

At its meeting on Tuesday evening, Joondalup Council was tasked with voting on a local development plan that would have paved the way for the resort’s apartment vision.

However, after a lengthy meeting dominated by questions from residents concerned by the plans, the council voted to not support the draft local development plan.