One of the most spectacular drives in Australia has been affected by the extreme weather which has been plaguing the southern states. Grey nomads and other tourists will have to delay their plans to take the Great Ocean Road after it was closed again due to a risk of landslides. The closure comes just over one week after it was reopened to the public.
The ABC reports that over 100 landslides were recorded above and below the road as a result of flash-flooding and heavy rainfall last month, which caused significant road damage.
The Boulevard in Wye River to Stanway Drive at Separation Creek has been blocked off, and traffic management points have been established at Lorne and Skenes Creek.
Great Ocean Road regional tourism chief executive Liz Price told the ABC that the road would need a long-term fix to ensure tourism was protected.
She said despite the closure, towns along the Great Ocean Road were still accessible to the public.
“We’re trying to focus on the positive side of that, that you can get to all towns,” she said.
Mark Koliba from VicRoads said there had been increased movement on the slopes as a result of recent heavy rain. But he said the overall risk of a landslide had decreased.
“Our geotechnical panel is out there this morning, if the trend continues then I’m hopeful we’ll be able to reopen the roads at some stage, but I can’t commit to a time frame just yet,” he said.
