Recovery process for impacted communities

GORCAPA is working with the incident team in the Colac Incident Control Centre (ICC) to help coordinate the recovery process for impacted communities. 

Our crews have been on the ground since the flash flooding event and locals will see a concerted effort and surge of staff this week to help clean up and support community groups who are also keen to get involved.

This includes the safe removal of vehicles and debris from beaches and foreshores in Lorne (around the Erskine River mouth), Cumberland River, Separation Creek, Wye River and Kennett River.

We are working with other agencies, including EPA Victoria and the SES to plan vehicle removals later this week if conditions permit. 

Flood recovery is a long process, but we are committed to working with local communities to get this done.

Update: 16:00 - 21/01/2026

• The Great Ocean Road is open, with traffic management in place around Cumberland River.
• The Wye River Pedestrian Bridge remains closed.
• Beaches at Lorne, Cumberland River, Wye River, Kennett River and Separation Creek are open. 
• EPA Victoria completed water quality testing on Mon 19. Results confirmed that the water quality has returned to normal in areas between Lorne and Kennett River that were impacted by flash flooding.
• The advice to community is to be careful if in these areas as there remains debris on the sand and in the water, and to those helping out by collecting rubbish to please wear appropriate shoes and gloves.
• In Wye, our teams will focus on the beach, foreshore and the playground area and provide any help we can to the General Store and Big 4.
• Targeted sand renourishment will be completed at Wye River this week. 
• At Cumberland, vehicles and other items washed against the bridge are being removed and we will provide assistance to operators of the Holiday Park where we can. Our crews will be on the beach this week helping with rubbish removal.
• Erskine Park in Lorne will remain closed for some time, with the flood impacting the caravan park's office area. Guests with bookings at Erskine are being contacted.
• In Lorne, crews are removing debris from the beach on both sides of the Erskine River mouth. The beach is open. 
• All other GORCAPA managed caravan parks in Lorne and along the Great Ocean Road remain open and are welcoming guests.
• For information about continued closures in the Great Otway National Park, visit the Parks Victoria website https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/