King Charles responds to Albany locals fighting to protect Yakamia Forest from Range Road development

The King of England has sent his “warmest good wishes” to two Albany locals after they wrote to him asking that a section of bushland be gifted to the people of Albany. Menang Noongar elder Lester Coyne and Albany author and tour guide Jon Doust wrote to King Charles last year and received a reply on March 15 penned by the assistant private secretary to the King. The letter was read aloud at Tuesday’s council meeting by Mr Doust who was one of six residents speaking on plans for a future Range Road site, which would split Lot 4743 North Rd, a section of virgin bushland that is known locally as the Yakamia Forest. “Regarding your request for the land which you referenced to be gifted to the People of the Kincinnup Kinjarling, I must inform you that this is not a matter in which His Majesty would personally intervene as your request falls under the responsibility of the Federal Government of Australia,” the letter read. “. . . The King was most encouraged by your dedication to protecting the natural world, and would have me convey his deepest respect for the wisdom and customs of Australia’s First Nations People. “. . . This letter comes with His Majesty’s warmest good wishes to you both, and to all of the Menang Noongar People of Kincinnup Kinjarling Albany.” Menang man Ken Kelly also spoke, calling on the spirit of Reconciliation Week and noting concern for a thatch of Moodjar trees found on the western side of the public block. Moodjar trees are considered sacred in Indigenous spirituality as the resting place of the deceased soul and often mark burial sites. “After settlement, the Menang people — after witnessing the destruction of the environment, the trees and the destruction of the fauna environment — they asked the settlers to stop cutting the trees down,” Mr Kelly said. “With the bicentennial coming up, what I’m asking you is to leave that bush alone and leave it as a gift and in memory of what the Menang people told the first settlers.” Mr Kelly read a speech on behalf of Mr Coyne, who empathised with the animals living in the bushland. “I was not a citizen of Albany or Australia until I was 23 in 1967,” he said. “Please make a positive decision acknowledging me and all the creatures living in the Yakamia Forest and lead with your heart.” Lot 4743 has been earmarked as a route for Range Road to provide a more direct link between central Albany, Bayonet Head, Lower King and commercial development at Brooks Gardens. Environmental group Friends of Yakamia Forest Boodja have been calling on the City to re-route the planned road, presenting a petition with 811 signatures to the council in August 2023. The council will not address the matter until later this year when they have considered the North Albany Structure Plan.