A small WA coastal town losing ground to the ocean has secured $1.1 million from the state government for a temporary rock wall, buying breathing room while a longer-term fix is worked out.

Lancelin, about 125 kilometres north of Perth, has seen rapid beach erosion for more than a year. The pub owner told the ABC that around 50 metres of northern beach disappeared in just 15 months, with a June 2026 storm surge accelerating the problem further.

The money will pay for a 110-metre wall expected to hold back erosion for roughly five years. The Shire of Gingin is chipping in an extra $150,000. Shire president Linda Balcombe said the structure would give the community time to gather data and understand what’s driving the erosion before committing to a permanent solution. Designs go before the local council next week, with tenders expected in September.

Lancelin Sands Hotel owner Glen Trebilcock, who has already spent about $10,000 on sand to protect his property, welcomed the announcement. But Save Lancelin Community Coalition member Kirsty Harding was blunt: she called the funding “woefully inadequate”. The wall covers only the pub and the adjacent caravan park at the northern end, she said, leaving the rest of the town’s rapidly eroding dunes unprotected. “We’re really happy something is being done,” Harding said, “but what about the rest of the town?”

For civil and coastal contractors in the region, the project means near-term tendering work. Coastal rock wall jobs of this type typically involve earthmoving, rock placement, and geotextile lining. Contractors should watch the Shire of Gingin’s tender notices as September approaches.

The wall is an interim measure. Whether state or local government funds something more comprehensive will depend on what five years of data actually shows.

Frequently asked questions

When will tenders open for the Lancelin rock wall?

Designs go before the Shire of Gingin council the week of the announcement, with the tender call expected in September 2026.

How long is the Lancelin rock wall meant to last?

The 110-metre wall is designed as a temporary measure expected to hold back erosion for roughly five years while longer-term data is gathered.

Which properties does the Lancelin rock wall protect?

According to Save Lancelin Community Coalition member Kirsty Harding, the wall covers only the Lancelin Sands Hotel and the adjacent caravan park at the northern end of the beach.

Sourced from ABC News. Original article.