Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love MLA is demanding immediate State Government intervention to protect businesses and community infrastructure in Lancelin as coastal erosion accelerates at a dangerous pace.
Following last night’s high tide, damage to the foreshore has worsened significantly.
This morning, the Lancelin Sands Hotel publican is undertaking emergency works at his own expense in a desperate attempt to hold back the ocean and protect his livelihood.
“Just twelve months ago, a public footpath and a vegetated sand dune stood between the hotel and the sea. Today, both are gone,” Mr Love said.
“In October last year, 900 cubic metres of rehabilitation sand was placed along this stretch of coast to fix the problem. Every single cube has now been washed away,” Mr Love said.
“That work followed sustained parliamentary pressure from The Nationals WA, which resulted in the State Government allocating $150,000 for a natural coastal barrier. But the simple fact is this, the funding has proven wholly inadequate.”
Mr Love said the worsening crisis comes after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs refused to conduct an inquiry into Lancelin coastal erosion, despite a petition tabled by The Nationals WA calling for a full investigation.
“The people of Lancelin asked for answers. They asked for scrutiny. Instead, the Committee shut the door,” he said.
“Politics and inquiries aside, the situation has now reached the point where urgent, practical action on the ground is what matters most,” Mr Love said.
“When the rehabilitation sand was installed, existing protective measures, including rock bags and geotech matting, were removed. The publican has been clear that those measures were helping and should be reinstated. Instead, they are sitting idle in the Shire depot while the coastline disappears.
“In the coming days, those rock bags and geotech protections must be reinstated as an urgent interim measure. The State Government must work directly with the Shire of Gingin and local stakeholders to stabilise this site before any further damage occurs.
“But emergency works alone will not solve this. What Lancelin needs now is a properly funded, medium to long term coastal protection strategy backed by serious investment to safeguard businesses, public infrastructure and the broader foreshore for the future.”
