12,000 ha Cleared Each Year: new Guide for Citizen Advocates

PRESS RELEASE

12,000 Hectares Cleared Each Year: BirdLife WA Empowers Citizens with New Guide to Fight Habitat Loss

13/02/2025 | Perth, WA

• Despite having enough previously cleared land for most developments, companies continue to destroy pristine ecosystems unnecessarily.
• BirdLife WA’s newly launched guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to participate in public consultations.
• All three of the South West’s Black-Cockatoo species are in decline, with habitat loss pushing them closer to extinction.

As vast areas of native vegetation in Western Australia are lost to mining, development, and climate change, many citizens feel powerless against billion-dollar corporations[1]. But a new guide launched today by BirdLife WA aims to turn that frustration into action, empowering Western Australians to protect their environment and ensure their voices are heard.

The south-west of WA, already heavily cleared for agriculture, faces increasing threats from broad-scale mining, frequent fires, and a drying climate. Companies like South32 and Alcoa continue to clear critical habitats for bauxite mining, endangering iconic species like the South West’s Black-Cockatoos.

Despite the escalating destruction – over 12,000 hectares of native bushland is being cleared annually[2], equivalent to over four City of Sydneys every year — many landowners and corporations treat native vegetation as expendable. Regulatory processes often favour applicants, making public participation more crucial than ever.

“Your voice matters, and your vote carries power,” says Viv Read, BirdLife WA spokesperson. “The more people who engage, the more influence we have on decision-makers. Understanding the processes and taking action—no matter how small—is essential. Every submission counts in protecting the biodiversity we all cherish.[3]”

BirdLife WA’s newly launched guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to participate in public consultations, submit comments on proposed clearances, and appeal harmful decisions. The guide simplifies the complex regulatory processes, helping individuals navigate everything from land clearing applications to bigger projects that threaten natural habitats.

BirdLife WA urges all Western Australians to engage in the process. Even a simple statement of concern can make a difference, and collective action can pressure decision-makers to prioritize conservation over profit.

For more information or to download the guide, visit BirdLife WA’s website.
Media inquiries:
Viv Read, BirdLife WA Advocacy Team
Phone: 0467 730 066
Email: wa@birdlife.org.au

[1] https://menziesfoundation.org.au/global-decline-in-democracy-australias-struggle-with-polarisation-and-trust/

[2] Based on applications submitted to DWER and DEMIRS

[3] https://lens.monash.edu/@environment/2023/06/20/1385889/97-of-australians-want-more-action-to-stop-extinctions-and-72-want-extra-spending-on-the-environment