Greens MLC Brad Pettitt joins Friends of Yakamia Forest Boodja for snap action protest against planned road

A Perth MP has backed a campaign to protect a central plot of Albany bushland from being divided by a proposed road. Greens MLC Brad Pettitt joined more than 30 people from the Friends of Yakamia Forest Boodja group for a snap action protest on Friday at Lot 4743, known locally as Yakamia Forest. Mr Pettitt, who was on a tour of the South West, said he wanted to consult the community on “alternatives” that would preserve the biodiversity value of “one of the last and mostly intact bits of bushland close to the Albany centre”. “Perth has done a terrible job of bulldozing its way through its biodiversity and effectively erasing it, and the consequences of that for local species of black cockatoos has been catastrophic,” he said. “I think there’s a hope that Albany can kind of do better and actually acknowledge that when you work with these amazing natural tools that you’ve got, rather than pushing roads and developing through them. “I hope that we can raise the voice of this place that can’t speak for itself, and actually leave it to be a place that’s here for many further generations as you look after Menang country.” 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. The council will address the matter later this year when they have considered the North Albany Structure Plan. Menang tour guide Larry Blight led a walk through the bushland, pointing out the black cockatoo and ring-tailed possum habitats and native flora. FYFB member Jon Doust, who called on King Charles to gift the section of bushland to the people of Albany last year, said it was a “fine sight” to see the politician show his support. “Pettitt hardly said a word, mainly listened to Larry Blight inspire with his knowledge,” he said. “It is important that city-based members of parliament know about this patch of remnant bushland, understand its importance as a home-patch for endangered species and the joy it would bring to many if it was gifted to the community as part of the lead up to the bicentenary in 2026.”