If the state government can afford $28 million to fight erosion in Port Geographe it can spare one or two to fix dangerous erosion in Seabird, residents say.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder on Friday opened the upgrades at Port Geographe.
The 18-month project included works to modify a breakwater, remove groynes, build a sea wall and new marina entrance channel, and form a sheltered swimming lagoon. A boardwalk and landscaped parks linked the works to a picnic area and playground.
Mr Nalder said the investment had provided the right setting for the area to reach its full potential.
Meanwhile in Seabird, situated between Guilderton and Lancelin, erosion of about 20 metres since 2002 has created a dramatic, sandy cliff and caused a whole street to crumble into the ocean.
Turner Street, which once led to the beach then ran parallel to it, has entirely disappeared. Now it is a cul-de-sac ending unceremoniously in a fence bearing the warnings 'Unstable Cliffs'; 'Deep Excavation'.
The state government has not agreed to provide full funding for several proposals for coastal mitigation works, most estimated around the one to two million dollar mark.
Lands Minister Terry Redman has promised to bring the latest proposal to cabinet but there is no indication of timeframe.
Seabird Progress Association president Garry Thomas says the situation is endangering tourists.
A temporary boundary fence along the edge of the cliff has begun to give way.
"We've caught kids sliding down that," Mr Thomas said.
"It will only take one of them to skid down in the wrong place, two tonnes of sand to come down on top and by the time you dig him out it will be too late."
Mr Thomas said during school breaks the normally quiet town of 50 or so full-time residents swelled to about 1000 holidaymakers.
"It's a very popular place for holidays, it's good for kids and adults who want somewhere peaceful," he said.
"But we are already having to chase kids off the beach and tell their parents to take more responsibility.
"It's a disaster waiting to happen."
He said the works in Busselton were necessary, but not more so than in Seabird.
"If they can afford [$28 million] to rectify problems at Busselton they can find $2 million," he said.
"We're putting all our hopes on this ... we've got to keep fighting."
Minister Nalder said the coastal structures built as part of the initial Port Geographe marina development were flawed and the resulting seagrass accumulation and beach erosion had impacted residents and stalled development.
"The Shire of Gingin has approached the State Government seeking funding to protect the coast and properties from further erosion," he said.
"Having seen the erosion first hand, Minister Redman gave a commitment to residents that he would take it up with his cabinet colleagues and see what can be done to find an acceptable solution."
The Port Geographe works were based on recommendations from University of Western Australia scientists.
Coastal Oceanography professor Charitha Pattiaratchi, who was on the project team, said the breakwaters were trapping seagrass.
He said the build-up of the dead seagrass "wrack" did not allow sand to move from west to east, thereby causing nearby Wonnerup beach to erode about 20 metres since the mid-1990s.
The accumulated seagrass was also hampering boats trying to enter and exit the marina, and as it decomposed it produced hydrogen sulphide, the "rotting eggs" smell of which had exceeded World Health Organisation guidelines.
The works will mean the wrack will be able to move away naturally over time and stop the erosion problem.
