The requirement for agricultural lime to address soil acidity is well understood in Western Australian (WA) broadacre agriculture, which is dominated by sandy soil types prone to acidification. A secure supply of agricultural lime is critical to enable current and future productive agriculture without degrading the soil resource. Estimates indicate that approximately 2 Mt/annum of agricultural lime are required to maintain soil pH. The most widely used source is limesand mined from large mobile dunes at coastal sites from Geraldton to Esperance. Limesand is comprised of coral and seashells that have been finely ground by the action of the sea and wind, with neutralising value 75–95%, compared to pure calcium carbonate. Other sources of agricultural lime, such as ground limestone and dolomite, are limited.

The availability of limesand is subject to competing demands. Agriculture and construction industries require access to limesand, while recreation, tourism, environmental and conservation concerns can limit its extraction. Restrictions on mine access, environmental regulations, and quotas have been implemented to protect natural ecosystems and minimise the impact of mining activities. Transport of limesand from coastal locations to the grainbelt involves managing the high volume of large trucks with the potential for infrastructure damage and conflicts with tourism routes.

Departments such as Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety; Transport; and Primary Industries and Regional Development, as well as local government bodies, play a crucial role in developing strategies for lime supply and transport. These strategies need to balance agricultural requirements with conservation goals and infrastructure management, ensuring sustainable access to limesand for agricultural use while preserving environmental integrity and supporting local communities. The successful ongoing management of soil acidity in WA broadacre agriculture requires coordination and understanding across multiple government departments, industries and communities.