Retreat not an option: Entire town may collapse as erosion devours Western Australia coast

Time of India

6 days ago

The coastal community of Lancelin, which was once a thriving fishing village and tourism hotspot 125 kilometers north of
Perth
but is now staring down a catastrophic environmental collapse.
Aggressive coastal erosion has stripped more than 25 metres of land in just 12 months, leaving homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure hanging by a thread.
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Locals say over 10 metres of shoreline has disappeared since May alone, and a popular beachfront lookout is now set to be demolished within days due to imminent safety risks. The crisis has left residents reeling and demanding immediate intervention from the
Western Australian Government
, as the erosion threatens to wipe the town off the map.
'Without immediate intervention, the safety of the foreshore and the integrity of essential coastal infrastructure remain at serious risk,' said Glen Trebilcock, owner of the Lancelin Sands Hotel and the face of a growing grassroots campaign to save the town.
Trevilcock has launched a petition now signed by over 900 residents, urging the state to deliver emergency funding and deploy technical experts to help shore up what's left of the crumbling coastline.
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'Retreat is not an option'
Residents have made one thing clear that relocation is off the table.
'We strongly believe that a retreat is not a viable solution,' Trebilcock told CNN. 'We've lost our beach. We're losing our economy. Now we're losing our town.'
The petition has been submitted to the WA Legislative Council, citing the limited capacity of the
Shire of Gingin
, which governs Lancelin. With just 6,000 ratepayers and a vast stretch of coastline to protect, the small regional government says it is powerless without state support.
'We're not asking for millions of dollars,' said Shire President Linda Balcombe. 'We're just asking for a little bit of financial assistance to address this emergency before it's too late.'
Balcombe says she's personally reached out to Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, but weeks later, the shire has yet to receive a formal response.
The erosion has had a crippling economic ripple effect. Tourism, a lifeline for many small businesses, is drying up. According to Trebilcock, six daily tour groups have ceased visiting, and several visitors have canceled bookings citing safety concerns.
'The lookout is about to collapse. That was one of our main attractions,' Trebilcock said. 'Now it's being demolished. The message that send? Stay away.'
Government response
In a statement to 7News, the WA Government said it is 'aware of the issues and is actively looking at options to assist.'
However, locals say words are not enough. They want action, funding, and an immediate deployment of engineers to evaluate and secure the coastline before the damage becomes irreversible.
'This is not a slow-moving issue,' Balcombe warned. 'It's happening now, every week, every storm, we lose more land.'
FAQs
Where is Lancelin?
Lancelin is a coastal town located 125km north of Perth, Western Australia.
What's happening?
The town is experiencing unprecedented coastal erosion, and over 25 metres of shoreline have been lost in one year.
What are the risks?
Homes, roads, and key infrastructure are now dangerously close to collapse. A seaside lookout is scheduled for demolition.
Is the government responding?
The WA Government says it's exploring options, but residents and local officials are demanding urgent action.