Roads, walking tracks closed by heavy rain

Kim Waters
GEELONG and surrounding areas have been warned to avoid high flood risk roads, walking tracks and parks ahead of more soaking rain this weekend.
Parks Victoria ranger Mark Urquhart said rain had caused “significant” damage to several You Yang tracks causing their closure.
All walking tracks, including Flinders Peak are closed to the public as well as Stockyards and Kurrajong mountain bike areas, Great Circle Drive, Big Rock picnic area and all climbing sites, he said.
“Since September the park has had more than its average annual rainfall, so all areas in the park are extremely wet and this latest rain has compounded the situation. We will be working to reopen all closed areas as quickly as possible.”
Department of Sustainability and Environment duty officer Kendra Dean said rainfalls of 50 to 100 millimeters had been predicted across much of the state leading into the weekend with falls of 150mm across the ranges.
Ms Dean advised drivers and campers to avoid rivers, creeks and waterways as heavy rainfall, strong winds and flash flooding is expected to continue.
Meanwhile multiple landslides along the Great Ocean Road on Wednesday caused road closures between Lorne and Skene Creek.
VicRoads confirmed the road was being assessed but were unsure when traffic would resume.
Geelong Road and Policing Advisor Shane Coles urged drivers to be cautious on the roads.
He advised motorists to switch on car headlights in inclement weather and “steer clear” of flooded areas.
“Breakwater Road is always the first to go in heavy rain and then we find Bacchus Marsh Road and roads around Lara seem to flood also,” he said.
“At this stage Barwon River is on alert but people shouldn’t go sticky-beaking in known flood areas as they might end up as casualties themselves.”
Parks Victoria is encouraging visitors to check closure information on parkweb.vic.gov.au or by contacting the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963.
For more information on emergency situations call the SES Flood Information Line on 1300 842 737 or visit www.ses.vic.gov.au.
For more information on weather visit www.bom.gov.au.
Rain records to be soaked – page 5