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Ocean marches in on Seabird

Houses in the WA town of Seabird are at risk of falling into the ocean amid disagreement over how to stop erosion, who is responsible and how to fund it.

Residents of the town 100km north of Perth say the situation is now critical, with at least two locals preparing to walk away from the home they planned to retire in because of fears it is weeks away from being lost.

After years watching the State Government and Gingin Shire "passing the buck", residents say they will consider legal action if their fears are realised.

The Government and council say they are concerned about the erosion, a problem for more than a decade. But despite multiple reports, no long-term solution has been agreed to.

When _The West Australian _ visited Seabird last week, the erosion was within feet of two properties. Others ranging from shacks to million-dollar holiday homes appear at risk.

Dimitri James (Jim) Batalin and wife Dorothy Atkins believe it is a matter of time before the home they planned to retire in is lost and have started moving their belongings out.

"The most frustrating part about it is that the buck keeps getting passed," Dr Batalin, the town medic, said. "It (the house) has to come down, it will come down. Next week, several days, it's going to collapse."

Seabird has just over 300 ratepayers and 50 full-time residents.

Many locals date the erosion from the loss of a rocky point 1km south of Seabird. In 2000, big swells claimed part of a local road, leaving some properties without a road frontage.

Two years later, an engineering report commissioned by the shire and Government proposed two long-term options: offshore breakwaters or onshore groynes. But neither eventuated.

Seabird Progress Association said erosion accelerated again last year and swallowed part of a local road and a beach access ramp.

The council has done "sand nourishment" - dumping sand on the beach to stabilise it - as a short-term fix. It also asked the Government about funding a seawall but no decision has been made.

Action is complicated by the fact it involves unallocated crown land that abuts private property.

Not only is there disagreement about where council and Government responsibilities lie, but there is also confusion within the Government about which department is responsible.

Gingin chief executive Jeremy Edwards said the council was concerned properties were under threat and winter storms could make it worse. He said it was working on a risk assessment.

"The shire fully appreciates and understands the frustration of local residents but this issue involves State and local government as well as the community," Mr Edwards said.

"The shire is willing to be part of the solution but we are not wholly responsible for a natural occurrence on land or in the ocean where we have no permission to act."

The Department of Transport told _The West _ _Australian _it had recommended sand nourishment and was giving the council coast-al management advice.

Lands Minister Terry Redman said the erosion threat was becoming dire and he sympathised with the community.

"The Government, through the departments of Transport, Planning and Lands, is still determining the best course of action in line with the State coastal planning policy," Mr Redman said.

Progress association president Garry Thomas said residents were considering hiring contractors themselves to bring in rocks.

"It needs somebody to take responsibility," he said. "Nobody is prepared to take the bull by the horns and actually do something."

Mr Thomas said he believed there were options to fund a solution, which could include selling Government-owned land in the town. He said a class action might be an option if properties were lost or damaged.

"If it's going to become a dirty fight, it's going to become a dirty fight," Mr Thomas said.