Almost $100k raised to stop small town slipping into ocean
Western Australia's opposition says it is outrageous Lancelin residents have been left fundraising to fight erosion slowly consuming the coastal town.
Residents have started fundraising to build a sea wall along Lancelin's rapidly eroding beaches. (Supplied: Brett Wyatt)
Lancelin community members have launched an online fundraiser to build a sea wall as erosion threatens the coastal town's infrastructure.
Local MP and WA Nationals leader Shane Love says it is outrageous locals are having to fundraise $150,000 themselves without government support.
Calls to help stop a seaside town from slipping into the ocean are growing more desperate, with its community left to fundraise $150,000 to build a new sea wall.
Lancelin, 125 kilometres north of Perth, has experienced extreme erosion along its northern beach, with one business owner estimating 50 metres of beachfront near his property has been eaten away in 15 months.
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An online fundraiser aims to raise $150,000 to build an emergency seawall in front of a "decimated" sand dune which protects a nearby hotel and pub, and the neighbouring caravan park.
Nearly $90,000 has been raised in the two weeks since the appeal was launched.
Simon Dreyer has kite surfed at Lancelin and performed with his band Coastal Drift for more than 20 years.
Simon Dreyer says the Lancelin Sands Hotel has provided significant support to local bands. (Supplied: Coastal Drift)
He said the owners of the hotel and pub were "hugely responsible" for supporting the five-piece band and other local acts, and it was emotional to see the business at risk.
"To see the whole thing eroding away is terrible," Mr Dreyer said.
He said it should not have been left to residents to mount a response.
"It should be unnecessary considering, I mean, the state should really be jumping in and doing it," he said.
"Everybody seems to be sort of wringing their hands and saying they'll talk about it and think about it, but nothing's actually being done."
The erosion destroyed a public path which now leads to a drop-off to the water. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)
The Shire of Gingin, Lancelin's local government, has been lobbying the state government for support, receiving $150,000 to stabilise the dune last year.
The shire added another $100,000 worth of self-funded sand at the dune this year.
Both attempts at sand renourishment washed away within six months.
Mr Dreyer said hard infrastructure like a sea wall was needed as a long-term solution.
About $250,000 worth of sand was deposited to rebuild a dune. (ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)
While there was concern a sea wall would simply push the issue further up
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