Community information for Great Ocean Road flood recovery

The following websites contain information and resources to support your health and wellbeing in the aftermath of floods:

Victorian Government Department of Health

Victorian Government Better Health Channel

EPA Floodwater and your health webpage

Please remember to take care of your own mental health after caring for others or experiencing a disaster situation.

It’s natural for emotions to sneak up on us after a few days or weeks, and sometimes these experiences can impact how we feel and function.

If you need urgent mental health support, contact Barwon Health on 1300 763 254.

There are many local providers you can turn to if you need mental health support or would like someone to talk to:

•  Barwon Health Mental Health - Colac: Ph 1300 763 254 (business hours) or 1300 094 187 (after hours)
• Colac Area Health Counselling Services: Ph 5232 5100
• Step Thru Care Geelong Otway: Ph 8691 5480
• Medicare Mental Health: Ph 1800 595 212
• headspace Colac: Ph 5232 5520; 15-17 Hart Street, Colac; open Mon, Wed-Fri 9am-5pm, Tues 9am-7pm
• Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative: Ph 5277 004

The VicEmergency website is the place to access up-to-date incident details and warnings. 

It also contains important relief and recovery information for those impacted.

Let family or friends know you're safe

If you're looking to let loved ones know you’re safe or find loved ones potentially impacted, you can register with the Red Cross via Register.Find.Reunite.

• Lorne is fully accessible by road from the north and south.
• The Great Ocean Road south of Lorne has traffic management in place at the Cumberland River bridge.
• Monitor the VicTraffic website for updates.
• All local roads are open.

Erskine Park (Lorne)

Park operators the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority posted the following update on Sunday 17 January:

'Erskine Park in Lorne will remain closed for some time, with flood impacting the caravan park's office area. Impacted guests have been retrieving belongings the past few days.

'Thanks to everyone for their patience and cooperation so we could do this safely. Guests with bookings at Erskine are being contacted.

'All our other caravan parks in Lorne and along the Great Ocean Road remain open and are welcoming guests.'

Cumberland River Holiday Park

Although Cumberland River is now accessible via the Great Ocean Road, the holiday park remains closed.

Please follow advice from the park operator about retrieval of possessions.

The State Emergency Service advised on Friday 16 January that there is no plan to re-open the park for guests to stay until February.

Council is waiving fees for individuals bringing flood-related debris to waste transfer stations.

• Lorne Transfer Station is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 12pm, and Sunday 2pm to 5pm.
• Anglesea Transfer Station is open 9am to 4pm daily.

Floodwaters carry debris and microbial contamination that can be harmful to your health. Assume anything that has contacted floodwater is contaminated. When cleaning up, wear protective equipment like gloves, goggles and rubber boots. Wash hands and wipe down surfaces thoroughly.

Visit the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) website for guidance on managing waste after a flood.

A significant clean-up is underway at Cumberland River.

Contact The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority for more information.

We continue to inspect Council buildings, trees, roads and infrastructure and make temporary repairs as quickly as possible.