logo
Entire WA town could be washed away, homes & lives at risk

Entire WA town could be washed away, homes & lives at risk

Perth Now21-07-2025
An entire Aussie town is at risk of being completely washed away by aggressive coastal erosion, which has stripped more than 25m of land over the past year and put homes and lives at risk.
The scenic coastal town of Lancelin is in crisis, with locals saying more than 10m of land has vanished since May due to the erosion process.
In some of the worst-hit parts of the coastline, more than 25 metres have been lost over the past year.
The once-popular fishing and holiday destination, located 125km north of Perth, is now fighting to hold onto what remains of its beachfront.
Glen Trebilcock, owner of the Lancelin Sands Hotel, has launched a petition calling on the Western Australian Government to provide immediate emergency funding and technical support.
'Without immediate intervention, the safety of the foreshore and the integrity of essential coastal infrastructure remain at serious risk,' he said.
'We strongly believe that a retreat is not a viable solution.' Locals say the coastline of Lancelin, north of Perth, is at risk of disappearing. 7News Credit: Supplied Lancelin Sands Hotel owner Glen Trevilcock is worried about the coastal erosion impacting his hotel. 7News Credit: Supplied
The petition, signed by more than 900 people, was submitted to the WA Legislative Council.
'The Shire of Gingin, as a small regional local government, has a limited rate base and lacks the technical capacity and financial resources required to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of this erosion,' the petition said.
'We therefore ask the Legislative Council to urge the State Government to support the Shire of Gingin and community of Lancelin with emergency funding and specialist technical assistance in response to this urgent and unforeseen environmental challenge.'
Shire of Gingin President Linda Balcombe has also appealed directly to WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, though she says the shire has yet to receive a response.
'We're not asking for millions of dollars at the moment, we're just asking for a little bit of financial assistance,' Ms Balcombe told 7News.
'We're a very small shire with only about 6000 ratepayers and we've got a big coastline that we have to protect.' Locals are pushing for the state government to assist. 7News Credit: Supplied
Tourism, a key part of the local economy, is also suffering.
Mr Trebilcock told 7News six tour groups that once passed through daily have now stopped coming altogether.
A popular seaside lookout near his hotel is also scheduled for demolition next week due to safety concerns.
The WA Government told 7NEWS it is 'aware of the issues and is actively looking at options to assist'.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Amazon's first colour Kindle arrives in Australia: Colorsoft offers ‘real paper' reading experiences
Amazon's first colour Kindle arrives in Australia: Colorsoft offers ‘real paper' reading experiences

7NEWS

time15 minutes ago

  • 7NEWS

Amazon's first colour Kindle arrives in Australia: Colorsoft offers ‘real paper' reading experiences

Calling all bookworms: Kindle's most anticipated launch to date has just arrived on Aussie shores — and you could be one of the first to get your hands on it. The Colorsoft Kindle, Amazon's first-ever colour device, is now available to purchase online, for as little as $399. More than just your average e-reader, Colorsoft offers an incredible display, allowing you to view images, book covers and even highlight text — all in colour. After launching back in 2024, Coloursoft has been declared as the 'best all-purpose e-reader' on the market, and shoppers are racing to get their hands on the newly-launched device at Amazon Australia. There's two sizes available, 16G ($399) and 32G ($449), meaning there's plenty of room to download and store all your favourite books from the Kindle store. Perfect for on-the-go reading without lugging around heavy books, get in quick to get your hands on the newly-launched Kindle device. Whether you're an avid reader or rely on a great book to keep you company on a daily commute, Kindle's new Colorsoft is changing the game when it comes to reading on the move. Lightweight, compact and easy to carry, this new arrival offers a high-contrast display that looks almost identical to reading a real paperback. 100 per cent distraction-free, with zero notifications or social media apps, it's great for delving into a great novel, with anti-glare tech to reduce eye stain. You can even read in the brightest light or late into the night with auto-adjusting features, perfect for flights or lounging in the sun. Not to mention that the new Kindle is waterproof, so you can you can even sit and read by the pool — or in the bath — without the worry. 'We're delighted to bring Kindle Colorsoft to our customers in Australia,' Jacqui Corbett, Amazon Devices Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand, tells Best Picks. 'This is a significant milestone for Kindle locally, offering readers the perfect blend of our beloved e-reader experience with high-contrast colour capabilities. 'Whether you're enjoying travel guides, children's books, graphic novels, or cookbooks, or simply want to personalise your reading with colourful highlights, Kindle Colorsoft delivers this, giving an enhanced reading experience anywhere, anytime.' To shop the Kindle Colorsoft, head to Amazon Australia her e. Shop Kindle Colorsoft Cases: Already got your hands on the new Kindle? Keep your device extra safe with a luxe-looking protective cover. Black, $69.95 Jade, $69.95 Raspberry, $69.95 Ruby, $99.95 Walnut, $99.95

No more soggy necklines! Mums create ‘world-first' bib that sold out twice in two weeks
No more soggy necklines! Mums create ‘world-first' bib that sold out twice in two weeks

7NEWS

time15 minutes ago

  • 7NEWS

No more soggy necklines! Mums create ‘world-first' bib that sold out twice in two weeks

Speak to any weaning parent about feeding their new little eater and they'll say the same thing. Soggy stained collars, double bibbing to avoid the washing machine, messy floors and non-stop outfit changes. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't happen every few hours. But this can soon be a thing of the past thanks to the creation of two Aussie sisters and mums. Introducing Abibi: a world-first bib designed to actually protect clothes, catch food, and make life easier for parents — no mess required. The bibs are already so popular that they have sold out twice since launching in June this year. So how does Abibi work and why are the bibs so different to all the other smock-style, catchy bibs on the market? Put simply: every single feature of the $39.95 bibs has a reason. Whether it's the protective inner collar flap to stop food from sneaking down their chubby little necks or the high food catcher that stays open and actually catches their toast crumbs, the bibs are unlike any other products on the market. There is even a split hem at the front which will fit over your child's legs, as well as three adjustable-sized clip buttons that grow with your baby and stop them from pulling off their bib. My favourite feature of all is the internal collar flap, which tucks nearly into your baby's clothing to block drips and sneaky bits of food from sliding down the neckline. I don't know about others, but my 11-month-old loves juicy fruits like watermelon and tomato, and I'd need 80 hands if I wanted to count the number of tops that have been ruined by the juice sliding down her neck. Abibi solves all of this and more. Since launching in June of this year, Abibi have sold out of their game-changing bibs twice already — and there are hundreds of parents who say they'd never use anything else again. 'This has honestly been the best bib that we have ever used,' one happy customer wrote. ' Where has this bib been my whole life? Literally, game changing!' another added. ' Abibi has thought of everything! Long leg coverage... amazing, high catchy... so good, tucked in neck... genius!!!!! 10/10 your babe needs an Abibi!' A third said: ' Love it! Worth the money to not have to change yet another outfit'. Meanwhile, the co-founders can hardly keep up with the demand, and are packing orders from their garage in between nap times, real work, and mothering their own kids. 'Our goal is to make Abibi a household name in the baby and parent space, with smart, thoughtfully designed products that actually make life easier,' the mums told Best Picks. 'We're not here to just make baby stuff look cute. We're here to cut the mess, save your sanity, and give parents one less thing to stress about.' Right now, you can buy several different styles of full-sleeve bibs for $39.95 each, or bundle together three for $99.95 or five for $159.95. To find out more about Abibi — named after the sisters' Lebanese heritage and the word 'Habibi' which means 'little darling' — you can head to the website here. Best Picks readers can also apply the SAVE15 code to save 15 per cent on Abibi products excluding bundles until 07/09/2025.

Bali doubles down on demolishing hotspot
Bali doubles down on demolishing hotspot

News.com.au

time25 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Bali doubles down on demolishing hotspot

As one of Bali's most iconic surf and tourist hotspots undergoes demolition, authorities have hinted at what might replace the more than 40 businesses along the famous Bingin Beach in Uluwatu. What was constructed over five decades will soon be no longer as construction begins to tear down buildings that have been deemed 'illegal'. Viral footage shows authorities destroying bars with hammers and breaking through locked doors – the home and workplace of more than 300 locals. The hotspot has also been the go-to location for Aussie surfers and backpackers aware some Aussie travellers have had their bookings voided as the demolition begins. It comes as Indonesian authorities deemed the buildings to be illegal and in violation of planning laws, environmental regulations and to be encroaching onto state-owned land. 'The buildings for tourism businesses here are illegal — that's it,' Bali's governor, I Wayan Koster told reporters last week. 'We should not let this practice continue. If we let this go on, Bali will be damaged.' He said after the demolition, they will assess 'what we can do there'. 'Bingin Beach is a prime beach. I'm sure that once it's renovated, it will become an attraction, whether it attracts surfers or something else,' Mr Koster said. 'At the very least, tourists will want to come, and it will contribute to the wellbeing of the local community.' Widespread speculation suggests the removals may be linked to plans for luxury beach club development, similar to those popping up throughout the Uluwatu area in recent years, though this is denied by authorities. @ 😢 end of an era.. goodbye Bingin Beach. Many iconic venues are now being torn down. Was this the best solution? #bingin #binginbeach #bali ♬ lucid - zensei ゼンセー Footage shows Mr Koster wielding a sledgehammer outside the luxury Morabito Art Cliff boutique hotel as he took the first ceremonial swing in the government-issued demolition. Condemned buildings include timber warungs (food sellers), bars with distinctive Javanese joglo-style roofs, and more contemporary accommodations, built into the escarpment on the Bukit Peninsula. Local workers can be seen crying as dozens of officials get to work dismantling the properties. Ombak Warung Bingin, a small, family-owned business, argued authorities 'destroyed hundreds of people' and have left them unemployed. 'Why the rush? Why couldn't you have given us more time? Intimidation, pressure while we try to pack up,' they said in an Instagram post. 'Local, Families, Generations are affected. Tourists came for the Warungs and this unique beach. Where is the JUSTICE! 'Why couldn't there have been a better solution we are all Human and who decides what is right and wrong. Where is the Concrete going to go?' @ pemerintah kabupaten Badung bersama pemprov Bali, membongkar sejumlah vila dan restoran tak berizin di pantai Bingin, desa Pecatu, kecamatan, Kuta Selatan, pada, Senin, 21/7/2025. #SaveBingin #LawEnforcement #PantaiUntukRakyat #BaliBerdaulat #TolakPerusakAlam #TertibkanBali #SaveBingin #beachbingin #bali ♬ Shadows of Us - Gustavo Iltemberg Business owners – including Australian expats – argue the structures predate planning laws, many constructed under the island's traditional adat laws, which give control to the village. One Australian owner, who was warned that foreigners could be deported or jailed for joining protests against the demolitions, admitted the legitimacy of rental agreements was always in question, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported. 'We always knew Bingin could be taken away – that's part of what kept it humble. But we didn't think it would happen so quickly,' said the owner, who asked to remain anonymous. Some of the more than 300 locals affected filed a lawsuit against the Badung Regency government. According to the AFR, those bringing the case argue that priority should be given to Balinese adat law, under which many Bingin business owners were granted informal approval or written permission to operate. After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with desperate business owners attempting to halt the demolition orders, authorities put their foot down. 'It is true that we have received a warrant for the demolition of the violating building at Bingin Beach,' head of the Badung PP Police, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, told reporters, as per the Bali Sun. 'We immediately sent a notification letter to the owners of the building in question, stating that the demolition will begin on July 21, 2025, and continue until it is completed.' Uluwatu's Bingin Beach has been a pilgrimage site for surfers since the late 1970s, with Australians making up a significant chunk of repeat visitors, and even expats. The beach's world-class barrelling lefts and laid-back atmosphere have made it a go-to within the global surf community, with the breaks Impossibles and Bingin. The demolition notices, issued via letter, posters, and WhatsApp messages, affect 45 buildings, including villas, homestays, restaurants, and other tourist facilities. 'We did this notification in various ways, in order to minimise the reason for ignorance during the execution process,' Head of Investigation Ida Bagus Ratu told local media. Regent of Badung Adi Arnawa said authorities will follow through on the mandate by the Bali Provincial Government despite widespread public outcry. 'Our community in Pecatu is very aware that they carry out activities on the land. So I hope no one comes to say this and that, pretending to be a saviour, to be a hero. People are aware when building on land that does not belong to them, so it is natural for them to leave the land,' Regent Arnawa stated, according to the Bali Sun. Eleven-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater is among those voicing concern on social media. 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else?' he said. 'Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years. 'I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' Bingin Beach is only reachable via steep staircases weaved through the cliffside buildings marked for demolition and the state of future beach access is unclear.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store