Six more wrecks removed from Cumberland River Beach

A further four vehicles and two camper trailers have been removed from the Cumberland River Beach following January’s flash flooding along the Surf Coast.

The recovery effort took place this week, with an excavator used to retrieve the wrecks at low tide.

It follows earlier attempts in January to remove the vehicles from the area by helicopter. About 14 vehicles were removed in the initial operation, with one caravan chassis unable to be safely retrieved because of the build up of sand and debris inside.

But footage circulated on social media last month showed several vehicles remained in the surf, prompting questions from locals about why they had not yet been removed.

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) said it had been assessing alternative options to safely retrieve the vehicles.

“Since a Blackhawk helicopter was unable to remove all the vehicles in January, we’ve been looked at other viable options,” a GORCAPA spokesperson said.

“After some careful planning and logistics to ensure we didn’t damage the sensitive foreshore, we’ve gone in and removed all the accessible remaining wrecks at low tide.”

At least one vehicle remains in Cumberland River. Inaccessible even at low tide, it is understood the vehicle will be monitored and if it moves and is able to be retrieved, it will be.

“Signage remains in place advising visitors about submerged hazards at the beach,” the GORCAPA spokesperson said.

The recovered wrecks have been taken to a storage yard, and GORCAPA will contact the owners and insurance companies, where possible.