An independent report by corporate advisory firm Orizontas has found Alcoa Australia generates almost a quarter of all economic activity in the Peel region, directly or indirectly.
Released at Peel Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Cruise & Connect networking sundowner last week, the report highlighted Alcoa as one of the region’s biggest local employers, providing more than 4000 direct jobs and paying over $850 million in wages.
Working with Orizontas, Alcoa commissioned the study to better understand and model its broader economic contribution at the national, State and local level. All figures are based on Alcoa’s data from the 2023-24 financial year.
The research showed Alcoa’s operations accounted for 19 per cent of local employment (8480 jobs) and almost a third of wages paid in the Peel region ($1.4 billion). It also showed the company generated $4.8 billion in economic output.
Orizontas partner Patrick Gibbons said the modelling in the report incorporated demographic and economic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, along with revenue and cost data from each of Alcoa’s operations.
“Alcoa’s contribution in the Peel region is very significant,” Mr Gibbons said.
“Just as importantly, if Alcoa’s operations were to cease, there would be nothing to replace them.”
Peel CCI executive officer Cullum Ashton said the report demonstrated the importance of a connected regional economy.
“The Peel region’s strength comes from the connections between major employers like Alcoa, small businesses, local suppliers, community organisations and workers,” Mr Ashton said.
“This report provides valuable insight into the role those connections play in supporting jobs, skills, investment and business growth throughout our region.
“It also gives us an important evidence base for planning future opportunities, strengthening local capability and responding to challenges ahead.”
Alcoa Australia president Elsabe Muller said strong communities and economies were built through partnerships such as these.
“The vast majority of our Western Australian employees live and work in the Southwest, Peel and South metropolitan regions, so they participate in their local communities and support their local businesses,” Ms Muller said.
“For the past 60 years, we have been a proud member of the WA community, and we’re committed to the continued growth and prosperity of the Peel region.”
Ms Muller said while the report focused on economic contribution, Alcoa recognised that environmental stewardship was also an important responsibility.
She said the company continued to try improve its environmental management outcomes, such as increasing rehabilitation rates and strengthening protections for water, and working with stakeholders to update and modernise environmental approvals.
“At the same time, we are taking a long-term view of the future as demonstrated by Alcoa’s investment of $15 million in the Forest Research Centre, which studies fauna management, biodiversity enhancement, rehabilitation delivery and water stewardship,” she said.