Busselton-Dunsborough Environment Centre Inc

11/06/2026

Our voice is being heard in Parliament. 📣

The momentum to protect Yallingup is growing, and today, we received a significant boost. The Greens WA have officially issued a media statement calling for the rejection of the proposed industrial sand mine at Lot 4, 2774 Caves Road.

They have made it clear: this proposal is inconsistent with the long-term conservation of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge.

This support validates what our community has been saying for weeks. We are not just protecting our backyards; we are defending the structural integrity of a world-renowned conservation zone.

When political representatives add their voice to ours, it confirms that this is not a NIMBY issue—it is a planning failure of state significance.

The Greens' statement highlights what we have been arguing all along:

• The "Necessity" Myth: There are abundant sand resources elsewhere that do not require destroying high-value tourism and conservation zones.

• Infrastructure Safety: Caves Road is already at breaking point; it cannot safely support industrial haulage.

• Planning Integrity: Protecting the Ridge is not optional; it is a policy requirement that must be upheld.

The deadline for public objections is June 12. We are in the final countdown.
Read the full media statement and lodge your objection here:

https://greens.org.au/wa/news/media-release/statement-re-proposed-sand-mine-lot-4-2774-caves-road-yallingup

Thank you to everyone who has written letters, shared our message, and stood up for the Capes.

Your energy is changing the outcome.

Stunning image by Christian Fletcher

10/06/2026

The "Finite Resource" Myth. 🌏

We keep hearing the same argument from proponents: that we need this specific industrial mine at Lot 4, 2774 Caves Road, to secure sand for our region's future.

They claim sand is a "finite resource" and that this site is essential. However, professional geological analysis submitted to the City of Busselton proves that this is simply not true.

Here are the facts that the developers don’t want you to see:

• Abundance, not scarcity: Official government data confirms that coloured deep sands—the very resource they claim is "finite"—are actually abundant throughout the Margaret River Wine Region.

• Better, safer alternatives: There is a vast 50 sq km area of these same sands located outside of the sensitive State Planning Policy 6.1 (Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge) area.

• Proximity to demand: This alternative area is actually closer to the development sites that need the sand, making it a more logical, sustainable, and less disruptive source for regional needs.

• Long-term planning vs. Short-term gain: The current proposal is for only five years. If sand is truly needed for long-term regional development, why choose a five-year mine in a high-conflict, ecologically sensitive ridge-top location? Developing supplies away from residential and tourism zones is the only "orderly and proper planning" approach.

This application fails the fundamental test: it is not a unique or necessary source of supply. It is simply an industrial operation placed in the wrong location, threatening our landscape, our tourism economy, and our safety.

Don't let them convince you that this is the only way forward. We have a better plan: keep industry out of our ridge-top conservation areas and source sand where it belongs—in areas designed for it.

The deadline for DA26/0209 is June 12. Have your say.

Link in bio to lodge your objection. 🔗

https://yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/da26-0209

09/06/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT: KARRI KARRAK CALLS ON THE COMMUNITY TO OBJECT TO PROPOSED YALLINGUP SAND MINE

Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation is calling on the public to object to the proposed extractive industry at Lot 4, 2774 Caves Road, Yallingup, currently before the City of Busselton - Local Government and the Regional Development Assessment Panel.

The proposal seeks approval for a large sand extraction operation in the south-western portion of the property. It would involve the extraction of approximately 453,000 cubic metres of sand from a 9.14 hectare area, in five stages, to a depth of approximately 70 metres AHD. The application also includes mobile screening, internal haul roads, turbine-scale truck movements, water use for dust suppression, drainage controls, construction and staged rehabilitation.

This is not a minor or low-impact proposal. It would involve extensive clearing, stripping, excavation and reshaping of a sand landform in one of the South West's most culturally and environmentally sensitive landscapes. Read more: https://karrikarrak.org.au/news/media-statementnbspkarri-karrak-calls-on-the-community-to-object-to-proposed-yallingup-sand-mine

03/06/2026

Sad days indeed

The school says it will plant 526 trees to replace the ones the koalas are already using

29/05/2026

New analysis from investigative media outlet has confirmed that a functioning domestic gas reservation policy would easily meet the state’s energy needs without drilling the Browse gas project at Scott Reef.

More than 90% of WA's gas is exported overseas, mostly royalty-free.

If Premier Roger Cook simply enforced his own domestic gas reservation policy, it would supply more gas to the market than Woodside’s proposed Browse gas export project.

Roger Cook has a choice to make; does he force big gas exporters to fulfil their existing obligations to Western Australians, or does he wreck WA nature so multinational companies like Woodside can make more profits?

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

Doral is being required to expand the size of its settlement pond to hopefully prevent this pollution in future. This is due to a big effort from local residents with support from BDEC. DWER will not give any information on test results or what exactly Doral is required to do. A FOI request has been submitted to try and get this information. Work has started on the pit expansion.

19/05/2026

Join DCALC for a presentation by Kelly Paterson on the resilience and stewardship of Marri Reserve.

Marri Reserve is a unique and biodiverse pocket of bush in the heart of our town. Last year, a deeply impactful fire swept through it, stopping our town in its tracks.

One year on, the reserve is recovering and showing its beauty. Yet the transformation is being shaped by ongoing pressures and the cumulative wear on a small, much-loved and unique patch of bushland.

Kelly will speak to why Marri Reserve is so ecologically special, how it's recovering post-fire, and what has been helping it along. Come along to hear the history, the things happening now, and find out how you can become a steward of a reserve we are lucky to have right on our doorstep.

Thursday 21 May, 6:00 pm

Community Cafe at Southcamp 61 Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough

Spaces are limited. Light refreshments and pizza provided. Please RSVP by getting a free ticket. Donations encouraged.

Come early, have a drink or a meal with the family, as we enjoy the generous support from Southcamp for our event.

The presentation will be followed by the DCALC Annual General Meeting. All community members are welcome to observe and participate.

https://events.humanitix.com/resilience-and-stewardship-in-marri-reserve-and-dcalc-agm

16/05/2026

The Federal Government has labelled Alcoa's clearing a "deliberate repeat breach”, indicating the company was well aware that it was acting with blatant disregard for environmental law.

“The question is, why did the federal government not only let this continue for two years, rather than halt clearing, but has now given Alcoa an exemption to continue clearing despite proving it can’t be trusted?” Jess Boyce WA Forest Alliance

Articles linked in comments.

15/05/2026

Long article but well worth a read and a publication worth following

Species are disappearing at least 10 to 100 times more rapidly today than extinctions observed over millions of years. A biologist says the answer is reciprocity — to give to the planet and not just…