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A battle for the future of one of Western Australia's favourite tourist destinations is heating up, as expanding mining plans clash with the area's visitor appeal.
Key points:
- WA's Shire of Gingin wants clarity over the future of their landmark tourist attraction
- Aglime of Australia plan to mine lime sand in the town over the next decade
- Community members said they worry mining will negatively impact their town
Just an hour north of Perth, the Lancelin Sand Dunes attract thousands of visitors each year for four-wheel-driving, sand boarding or simply enjoying the pristine white sand.
But sand mining plans in the key Lancelin off-road vehicle area [LORVA] may be set to change that.
Shire of Gingin president Wayne Fewster said Lancelin was one of the most iconic places in Australia.
"They are iconic, that's what Lancelin is, apart from the beach and water, Lancelin is known for the sand dunes," he said.
For some time the Shire of Gingin has been asking for clarity around controls of the LORVA, after a number of serious accidents resulting in death, and the proposed mining projects.
The shire applied for a management order over the LORVA, which would allow them to have authority, including building entry gates, toilets and more.
But the state government rejected the application.
"The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has advised it cannot support the proposal due to the possible land-use conflict issues and safety concerns," it said.
No one wants responsibility
The state government also refused the shire's back-up plan, handing responsibility for the area to Lands Minister John Carey.
Mr Carey said they would find other ways to assist the shire with the operation of the LORVA.
DMIRS said it would also help the shire.
"DMIRS would happily assist and provide comments on alternative locations for tourism activities that don't hold the same safety concerns for the operating mine sites," it said.
Impact on the town
Much of Lancelin relies on holiday makers to keep accommodation full and cafés bustling, with hire businesses dedicated to dune tourism.
Lancelin Chamber of Commerce president Malcolm Lobb was worried for the future of his home town.
"We get thousands of people, international and interstate, so it's a part of the town which draws a lot of money into Lancelin, it puts us on the map, and we rely on it," he said.
Mr Lobb said losing access to the area would have a flow on effect.
"I would say Lancelin would suffer dearly, there'd be businesses closing, there is a four-wheel-drive business here that sets up regularly every day and he would definitely be shut down," he said.
Joe Blouet runs Perth Quad in Lancelin and also shared concern about the longevity of the business if regulations changed.
"We are not to sure what's going on, we know there are a few leases for mining around and taking a lot of sand and a lot of traffic with trucks," he said.
"I'm not sure if it's the right place for it if I'm honest."
Mr Fewster said there was little discussion around mining at the the dunes.
"At the time we would have made some noises, there would have been some opposition," he said.
"There will be no sand left for the off-road vehicle area purpose, it will be flat and barren."
Farmers needs important
WAFarmers president John Hassell said lime sand played a crucial role for farmers.
"The fertilisers we use are a little bit acidic, we need to ameliorate that acidity with the lime to increase the pH of the soil to increase the crop growing conditions," he said.
Miner Aglime of Australia holds the tenement covering the dunes' recreation area.
General manager Stephen Carr said it would be some time before mining would impact the LORVA.
He said they expected to reach the southern boundary of the LORVA between 2035-2050.
"We expect to mine between 200,000 to 400,000 tonnes per annum," he said.
WA Nationals deputy leader Shane Love said he believed the impact would come much sooner.
"The timeline is very uncertain, but what we do know is that there is a mine which is approved there," he said.
Meeting to discuss the future
Some possible answers will be discussed at a public meeting in Lancelin over the weekend.
Mr Lobb said locals were confused and wanted clarity over the future of the town.
"I think they are going to start lobbying and there will be noises made about it," he said.
"The locals don't want to lose it... it's an asset for the town, so we're going to fight as hard as we can to keep it."
Mr Fewster is urging the state government to provide answers.
"I urge the state, the ministers, to assist us where we can get on board, it's a big issue, it's going to take a big group to come up with the right answers," he said
Tourism Minister Roger Cook declined to comment.