Two Esperance locals in particular believe the solution could be performed simply and without creating an eyesore along the foreshore.

John D’Emden – the owner of the Esperance Seafront Caravan Park for nearly 40 years – said he has seen first hand the problems with erosion over that time.

“It really began in 1977, when the Port made extensions to the breakwater – this seemed to change the currents and wave patterns, and it was shortly after this that we suffered damage from erosion on this side of the Tanker Jetty,” Mr D’Emden said.

“Every so often the Shire talks about a long term solution, but nothing ever seems to happen – it usually goes in the too hard basket.”

Mr D’Emden said he had come up with a proposal and had put it to the shire – however he believes limited funding from the State Government may be tying the shire’s hands.

“I believe if we created an artificial reef from the groyne near the Tanker Jetty along past the caravan park it would prevent the worst of the erosion.”

Mr D’Emden said the reef could be created using tyres, however a more attractive solution involved the use of geo-textile sandbags – large sausage shaped sandbags that would look similar to a sandbar at low tide.

“This would also create a lagoon area on the foreshore which would be very attractive for families and children.”

Merv Warner, another local with a solution, believes lining the foreshore with a stabilised rock or tyre wall would be an ideal fix.

Mr Warner said he has seen a similar solution in Adelaide – between Glenelg and Brighton Beach.

“It stands up to some ferocious weather,” he said.

The solution would involve placing large rocks, or building a wall out of concrete filled tyres, along the face of the foreshore to hold the ocean at bay.

“Instead of filling the holes up with sand, why not put the big rocks in now?” Mr Warner said.