Darling Scarp

So we went to the highest ground possible.

We went up to the Gosling's Rock Quarry, which is up in the hills of the Darling Ranges of Perth.

Just trust me, they're still here.

So I got out of the car and I took about 15 steps.

And finally, an uncovered letter by former Premier Mark McGowan has shed light on Labor's historical concerns over Alcoa, warning of job losses if the miner did not address water concerns.

The letter, penned by Mr McGowan to the Darling Range Miner in March 2023, put the hard word on the company over its management of the protection of the Serpentine Dam during a period of negotiation between the pair.

The letter was obtained by independent media outlet Boiling Cold through a Freedom of Information request and has been seen by Business News.

It was written amid conversations a mine plan for the company's Darling Range operations, which are close to the dam that supplies drinking water to the Perth and Peel.

The letter suggested that Alcoa would not be able to operate in the region in the future if it did not explore all options to mine outside of high-risk constrained areas within drinking water catchments.

The former Premier resigned from his role months after it was written, with Roger Cook, who was also the State Development Minister, assuming the position in June.

He says stream flows are the lowest they have been in a decade.

Yeah, well, I think it mirrors exactly what we're seeing in terms of the reduction in stream flow to some of our scheme water dams along the Darling Scarp and moving further south into the southwest.

So, yeah, I mean, it has been a very, very dry winter and, you know, stream flow to those dams is at the lowest point in 10 years.

But I think that the point to make is it's not a one-off warning here with stream flow.