South32 Worsley Alumina donates $120k to Boddington and Wandering bushfire recovery after horror blazes

A WA mine has donated $120,000 to two Wheatbelt shires that faced several multi-day blazes that resulted in infrastructure and crop damage, Christmas Day evacuations and a highway closure.

South32 Worsley Alumina committed $70,000 to the Shire of Boddington to assist with bushfire clean-up and recovery, and an extra $50,000 to the neighbouring Shire of Wandering for infrastructure repair and community recovery.

Both shires were the site of multiple devastating bushfires during December 2025 and January this year.

A lightning strike on December 15 sparked the blaze that razed 4149ha in Boddington over two weeks, and destroyed two uninhabited structures.

Boddington residents were forced to evacuate their homes on Christmas Day due to the flames coming within two kilometres of the townsite, with more than 40 firefighting appliances and 13 aircraft responding.

It took more than 8000 volunteer hours and about 137 groups to extinguish the fire, with crews still on scene during the first week of January to clear fallen trees, grade roads and undertake remediation of the fireground.

South32 Boddington Bauxite Mine and Newmont Mine emergency response teams assisted in strengthening containment lines and mopping up, while providing volunteer fireys and management teams with food, accommodation and equipment.

On January 22, the shires of Wandering, Boddington and Williams suffered several bushfires also caused by lightning, which burnt through 6000ha according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

Albany Highway between Jarrahdale Road and the Williams townsite was closed for two days while the fire was being fought.

Early assessments in Wandering indicated damage to homes, fencing and essential infrastructure, plus crops and stock feed which will take months to recover.

South32 Worsley Alumina vice-president operations Pine Pienaar said that the “contribution reflects the operation’s commitment to supporting neighbouring communities during a challenging start to the year”.

“Many of our people call this region home, and the impacts of these bushfires have been felt deeply across our workforce and the wider community,” he said.

“We appreciate the leadership shown by the shires of Boddington and Wandering throughout their respective emergency responses and early recovery efforts.

“We are proud to stand alongside local government, DFES, volunteer brigades, industry partners and supporting agencies who worked tirelessly to protect our communities.

“This funding will support both shires as they continue their recovery and help strengthen local emergency response capability moving forward.”

South32 Worsley Alumina have continued to work closely with local stakeholders as recovery and remediation activities progress.

Boddington shire president Eugene Smalberger said they were grateful for the $70,000, which will primarily go towards upgrading volunteer firefighting equipment, units and facilities, and a portable toilet to take to the fire grounds.

“Simple things like the toilet on the fireground does mean a lot for these guys, it gives them a bit of humanity there,” Cr Smalberger said.

Wandering shire president Sheryl Little said the shire were “very excited” to receive the “significant” $50,000 donation.

“It was absolutely amazing, very much appreciated,” Cr Little said.

“There’s been no firm decisions yet on what we’re going to spend it on but it will be to do with bushfire mitigation, support across lots of areas and the town.”