❓ A parliamentary question addresses Alcoa's obligations and plans following the closure of the Kwinana Refinery, focusing on site remediation, environmental concerns, workforce implications, and future land use. The government's response provides some details on regulatory frameworks and collaboration, but lacks specifics on key aspects like closure criteria and workforce plans.
AnsweredQoN 773Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recently announced permanent closure of Alcoa’s Kwinana Refinery, and I ask: (a) what obligations does Alcoa have to the clean-up and remediation of each of its Kwinana refinery site and its Kwinana residue site now that operation has ceased and that the site is a registered contaminated site; (b) has the Minister set closure and completion criteria for the refinery site; (c) if yes to (b), can the details of closure and completion criteria please be provided; (d) if no to (b), what is the process to establish closure and completion criteria, and will the public be involved; (e) what particular environmental and public health toxins require management as a part of the clean-up; (f) has Alcoa disclosed what the anticipated costs and work force requirements are for the remediation; (g) are there plans to secure the existing workforce of Alcoa to undertake the remediation works at the Kwinana refinery; (h) what government agencies will be involved in assessing plans, reviewing remediation work, monitoring evaluation and compliance; (i) will Alcoa have any legal rights over, or access to, the Kwinana refinery site, excluding port facilities, once the clean-up and remediation is complete; (j) have Alcoa and/or the Government identified future land uses for the site; and (k) what options for redeveloping the refinery site is the Government discussing with Alcoa?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
8 days
(a) The Alcoa Kwinana Alumina refinery is classified under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (Contaminated Sites Act) as ‘Contaminated – Remediation Required’. The Contaminated Sites Act sets out a range of responsibilities on parties who are responsible for the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites.
(b) No.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) The provisions of the Contaminated Sites Act and the E nvironmental Protection Act 1986 regulate the closure of the Refinery and determine if there is public consultation.
(e) The nature and extent of the contaminated site will be determined and published on Government’s website in accordance with the Contaminated Sites Act.
(f – g) In the public announcement made by Alcoa on the closure of the Kwinana Refinery, the company expects to outlay approximately $600 million over the next six years. Alcoa has not provided information on workforce requirements for the closure of the site.
(h) All relevant subject matter expert agencies will be involved to ensure adequate and acceptable closure of the site.
(i – k) Alcoa holds the land of the refinery site in freehold and will continue to do so post-closure. Alcoa and the Government will collaborate on the future of the site. The Government has not yet discussed any options for redeveloping the site with Alcoa.
(b) No.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) The provisions of the Contaminated Sites Act and the E nvironmental Protection Act 1986 regulate the closure of the Refinery and determine if there is public consultation.
(e) The nature and extent of the contaminated site will be determined and published on Government’s website in accordance with the Contaminated Sites Act.
(f – g) In the public announcement made by Alcoa on the closure of the Kwinana Refinery, the company expects to outlay approximately $600 million over the next six years. Alcoa has not provided information on workforce requirements for the closure of the site.
(h) All relevant subject matter expert agencies will be involved to ensure adequate and acceptable closure of the site.
(i – k) Alcoa holds the land of the refinery site in freehold and will continue to do so post-closure. Alcoa and the Government will collaborate on the future of the site. The Government has not yet discussed any options for redeveloping the site with Alcoa.
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