Lancelin - planning for tourism boom

Being of somewhat advance years I can remember (just..lol) weekend "boys" trips to Lancelin and beyond to do a bit of spear fishing. We would have a bit of a dive around there but usually just stocked up the Holden/Falcon/Valiant ute/panel vans and headed up the sand tracks through and around the military bombing/artillery range to spots like Wedge Island and occasionally on to Cervantes or Jurien.

A nice new bitumen road and "NO ENTRY" signs abound now. (:=((

Cheers
Pop

Michelle

The indian ocean drive when it went through was seen to be good for all those towns up the coast to, and including Lancelin. Those towns being Guilderton, Seabird and Ledge point. Ultimately though when completed what it did was make Cervantes and Jurien so much closer and now people simply bypass those towns.

Lancelin used to get a lot of through visitors with it being at the end of the bitumen and through traffic going up to wedge and grey, but now those places are accessible by bitumen and camping restricted. also now with Lancelin being a deviation from the main road it doesn't assist it either.

there was a write up in the West Aust a few months ago about the general downturn ther as well.

I would have thought that with a down turn that there would have been surplus accomodation and therefore hard to justify building more.

I have for the last 10 or so years owned property at Guilderton and have noticed the change because of the new road. There certainly has been an increase in day trippers to those places.

Hi Michelle, Good of you to put this up for feedback.
I suppose there's the old saying " paying the price of progress' with development of any sort. agree, Lancelin appears undeveloped, many might prefer this. I like many over several yrs have enjoyed being able to do the bush tracks and camp out almost anywhere from Lancelin to wedge or further until recently restricted and/or closed. As far as I know, Wilbinga and other popular spots are also under threat

The range is restricted for obvious reasons, but has been avail as a drive thru until recently . I would like to address the closure of this area ( range and camping up to wedge) is in my view another nail in coffin of areas avail to do 4x4 and camp 'freely' anywhere near perth. some of the iconic bush tracks that used to have that real 4wd feel about them are now graded gravel roads, to a 'purist', i may as well drive a freeway. One could say the drive there is now easier and quicker. The new ocean drive does bypass the Lancelin township and as such would lead to some drop in visitation /stop from 'drive by ' traffic
I can also understand the continuous problem of 'yahoos' who burn, bash and trash often with a stubby in hand, such areas on easter weekends etc..
I also recognise the growing legalities such as in duty of care and liability of the land owners. allowing civilian traffic thru the middle of a designated bombing and military training range would have its possible consequences.

I have seen the growing problem of damage and rubbish in this ( and many other)area ( the old tims thicket and white hills area) and in a lot of respects don't blame owners, shire, depts, govt, etc.. for eventually closing an area. clubs such as ours and 4x4 try to alleviate this with raising awareness , track maintenance, site development, adherence to good care taking of the environment etc...

Anyhow
The reflection on drift of youth and low job prospects is a nation wide problem for semi rural and country areas -as is difficulty for local business.
saw many small towns on recent trip to ES that were struggling.

I believe the idea of a caravan park is basically good, perhaps community based with some govt support. I havnt looked at plans, but would suggest that it needs several things: reasonable pricing, "Future proofing" in planning ( allow for expansion )a very large tent area , sufficient area for parking boats ( trailer), facility for 4x4 clean/washing and so on. Thanks,
MG.