Alcoa announces $1.3m bushfire support fund

A new Bushfire Ready Fund announced by Alcoa this week will provide $1.3 million over the next three years to support communities in WA and Victoria to deliver key initiatives that address the risk of bushfires and contributing climate factors.

To kick the program off donations of $6500 were made to 23 volunteer fire services in the Peel and South West regions of WA, where Alcoa operates bauxite mines and alumina refineries, and the Glenelg Shire in Victoria, location of Alcoa’s Portland Aluminium Smelter. The Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation’s Ranger Program in WA also received funding. The support is intended to help the groups better prepare for and mitigate against bushfire risk .

Alcoa Australia President Elsabe Muller said the company recognised that bushfire risk was an ever-present challenge faced by communities in the areas where the company operates. 

“The Alcoa Bushfire Ready Fund aims to help address mitigation, prevention, action, and recovery strategies and tactics related to fire and its impact on local communities and recognise the integral role that volunteer services fulfil in these areas,” Ms Muller said.  

“A large part of our workforce lives in the communities where we operate and many of our people have been personally impacted by bushfire in recent years. 

“Many of our team members serve as volunteers in their local fire services and community organisations and have been on the frontlines to assist their communities in tackling emergencies and dealing with the aftermath of these devastating events. 

“Alcoa has special leave provisions for employee volunteers and provides essential support services during fire management, such as provision of water and fuel to emergency service providers, access to the network of roads across our mine sites, and backup firefighting units and personnel if required.” 

Ms Muller added that Alcoa has funded and conducted research into fire mitigation and management and would continue to do so through its Forest Research Centre, a $15 million initiative announced in 2024 to contribute to improvements in the management and long-term health of forests.  

WA’s Harvey Hills Volunteer Bushfire Brigade captain Steve Watt said while core funding for volunteer brigades was provided by local government and the emergency services levy, the donation from Alcoa would allow for additional and vital improvements. 

“One of the areas we are always looking to improve is response times and we can do that by providing all members with remote controls for doors, meaning they can get into the truck and get it out quicker,” he said. 

“The funding will also allow us to provide formal uniforms to our members to use when we are at events and running community awareness sessions, helping to build our profile with local residents.” 

Heywood Group Officer Darren Hoggan, who represents multiple district fire services in the south west of Victoria, said Alcoa’s donation would enable essential enhancements to go beyond the basics. 

“This funding will help equip brigades with better resources, ensuring they can respond more effectively to emergencies and protect lives, properties, and the environment,” he said.  

“Alcoa’s generosity demonstrates a genuine investment in the wellbeing of our region and it is heartening to see local businesses standing alongside our volunteers in their efforts to keep communities safe.” 

The Alcoa Bushfire Ready Fund includes an annual competitive grants program offering up to $20,000 to community organisations supporting initiatives that prepare and protect communities, and funding for regional scale impact projects which address challenges related to fire and the drying climate.

Alcoa expects to announce further details about the Bushfire Ready Fund and how to apply for grants in coming months.