Big walk set to end with big talk as activist trek 250km calling for an end to forest mining

At the end of a 250km walk most people would be looking for a bed — but activist Ricky England will be reaching for the megaphone.

Taking the first steps of an enormous trek, Mr England and several other activists embarked on a walk from Dwellingup to Perth in a bid to end forest mining.

The Denmark-based clinical social worker took off from Dwellingup Discovery Centre on Saturday and is spending the next 10 days on the Bibbulmun Track, aiming to arrive at Parliament House on June 2 for a public rally at the Supreme Court Gardens at 2pm.

England said the walk aimed to shine a light on the expansion of forest mining by mining companies Alcoa and South 32.

“They (mining companies) want to move into 30,672ha of bush, which for the average Joe, is about 6800 footy fields,” he said.

“We’re calling on the government to make an important decision, and we’re also calling on people to come to the rally.”

The route was chosen for a number of reasons, from its proximity to mining operations and its significance to Bindjareb, Wiilman and Whadjuk Noongar peoples to its recognition as one of Western Australia’s most iconic walking trails.

“People come from all over the world to walk this track,” he said.

“It’s really significant to have this kind of impact on the Bibbulmun track as well as the Munda Biddi trail.”

Before setting off, Bindjareb man Theo Kearing welcomed the hikers to the country and spoke of the significance of the forest to his people.

“I want to let Alcoa know, it’s not about the here and now,” he said.

“It’s not about how much money you can make, it’s about the next generations to come.

“I’m sure everybody wants their great-grandkids and what-not to go into the area that we were always able to go to.”

Mr England said he would be offering piggyback rides to a number of people along the way, with Rove McManus and Judith Lucy reported to have taken him up on the offer.

Prior to the walk England was able to get in some piggyback training with South West local and musician John Butler.

“I’m offering Premier Roger Cook, Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn, and chair of the Environmental Protection Authority Darren Walsh to join me on the walk,” he said.

“I want to show them the precious places they are happy to destroy.

“They don’t realise the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail are under attack, with relocations of these tracks happening regularly and more planned. Bush walkers are not happy and there are a lot of us.”

The walk is supported by the WA Forest Alliance, the Conservation Council of WA, the Wilderness Society and End Forest Mining with funds raised to continue their cause.