Lancelin’s sand dune debate continues to heat up

Lancelin is a popular coastal town about 90 minutes north of Perth and is renowned for its pristine waters and iconic sand dunes, attracting thousands of tourists each year. These dunes are more than just a scenic backdrop, they are central to Lancelin’s tourism-driven economy and community identity. With a population of roughly 800, the town now finds itself at the centre of an escalating conflict, as locals oppose ongoing lime sand mining operations.

Lime sand, rich in calcium carbonate, is extracted from the dunes and used to improve soil pH in agricultural areas. While mining companies argue that this resource is critical for farming productivity, Lancelin residents fear the environmental cost.

They worry that continued mining will irreparably damage the dunes, which are an essential tourist attraction and a natural protective barrier – which helped shield the town during recent bushfires. For the community, this is not just a battle over land use, but over the future of their town.

Atikah Hurley chats with Lancelin local Tina Broughton about the history and impacts of lime sand mining in the coastal tourist hotspot.