Incident Updates

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the Department) is investigating the source, composition and movement of dust affecting parts of Geraldton. 

Maddington Battery Fire Information last updated: 25 August 2026  Background  On 12 April 2026, a fire involving lithium batteries occurred at the Li-ion Energy battery

Alcoa Wagerup Alumina Refinery The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the Department) is conducting four assessments relating to Alcoa of Australia Limited’s (Alcoa) Wagerup

Talison Lithium Mine Greenbushes Background Talison Lithium Australia Pty Ltd (Talison) is the operator of the Greenbushes Lithium Mine. The mine is regulated under both Part IV and Part V

Alcoa transitional approvals framework and assurance program Background The Alcoa transitional approvals framework includes: the Environmental Protection (Darling Range Bauxite Mining Proposals) Exemption Order 2023

Unauthorised clearing of native vegetation The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation administers the clearing provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) and its subsidiary

Gnarabup Wastewater Treatment Plant Latest updates The Water Corporation has submitted three Annual Environmental Reports (AER) to DWER since the revised monitoring and reporting program

Neerabup Resource Recovery Precinct Background The City of Wanneroo is progressing the development of its long-term waste management strategy through the establishment of the Neerabup

Kalgoorlie Boulder Odours Since April 2023, The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the Department) has received a large number of complaints regarding odour emissions

Tamala Park Waste Management Facility Background  Mindarie Regional Council (MRC) holds licence L9395/2023/1 under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) to operate a landfill and transfer station

Groundwater use – commercial bottled water Background Bores are used to abstract groundwater for various uses in Western Australia including bottled water. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation only regulates these activities for sites in proclaimed

Banksia Road Organics Facility Last updated: 31 March 2026 The Banksia Road Organics Processing Facility is located on Marginata Close, Crooked Brook.  Background The Bunbury Harvey Regional

Algal events and water quality issues – Mullaloo and Ocean Reef beaches Background Over summer 2023–2024, the department investigated several reports of algae and water

PFAS Investigations in Western Australia The National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) has been developed by all jurisdictions and recognises the need for best practice regulation

Alcoa Willowdale Current Status Any person who disagrees with the amendment of the licence may lodge an appeal with the Minister for Environment (through the Office

Cockburn Cement Limited (CCL) Last updated: 19 June 2026 Current Status Amended Licence – March 2026  In November 2025, CCL applied to amend its licence, seeking a five-year extension and removal of redundant shell sand

Alcoa of Australia Limited – Pinjarra refinery (Alcoa Pinjarra) The plan has been developed by all jurisdictions and recognises the need for implementation of best

Port Hedland air quality Current Status Control of the network monitoring air quality in Port Hedland has been transferred to the Department of Water and

Australind Jetty Current Status Repair works have commenced and will be completed in two stages. The project is expected to be completed by the end

Banksia Road Putrescible Landfill Current Status All applications submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the Department) for assessment of the Banksia Road Putrescible Landfill (BRPL) are advertised for

Mirrabooka landfill site amendment application The Mirrabooka Landfill is operated by Brajkovich Landfill & Recycling (Malaga) Pty Ltd and is licensed by the Department of

Osborne Park odours Current Status Environmental Protection Notice The department considers that, in addition to upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, further infrastructure improvements are

Newman Air Quality Current Status BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHP) operates two mines close to the Newman town site that contribute to airborne

Mandurah area odours (Nambeelup) Current Status Odour issues continue to affect communities around Mandurah. The department has taken regulatory action and remains committed to resolving

Pinjarra Air Quality Current Status What is happening? Dust monitoring and management Air quality was monitored for six months from November 2024 to April 2025