WA town sliding into ocean gets funding for temporary sea wall

The town of Lancelin, located approximately 125 kilometers north of Perth, is grappling with the effects of erosion that threaten to engulf its pub and caravan park. The local government has allocated $1.1 million towards the construction of a 110-meter-long rock wall, serving as a temporary measure to combat the encroaching ocean.

The Shire of Gingin has also contributed $150,000 to the project, which is projected to safeguard the town for around five years. Pub owner Glen Trebilcock expressed his gratitude, stating that the wall would mitigate potential damage and ensure the town's sustainability. However, critics argue that the wall falls short in protecting the broader community, as it only shields two properties at the most immediate risk.

Save Lancelin Community Coalition member Kirsty Harding lamented that the solution is "woefully inadequate" and emphasized that there is still a considerable stretch of dune experiencing rapid erosion, situated beyond the proposed structure. The Shire of Gingin president, Linda Balcombe, acknowledged the significance of the funding, stating that it would provide the town with the necessary time to investigate the root cause of the erosion.

She also mentioned that the plans for the temporary wall would be presented to the local council the following week, with tenders for construction expected in September.