Tourists have cancelled trips to holiday spots along Victoria’s south-west coast after damage from floodwaters, as authorities warn the town of Wye River is at risk of a landslide.

About 300 accommodation bookings at Wye River and Separation Creek have been cancelled as the two areas remain isolated due to cracks on the surface of the Great Ocean Road caused by heavy rain and landslides.

Chair of the local tourism group at Wye River, Rex Brown, said the cancellations could cost the area about $250,000.

“It’s a lot of money. We’ve hoping VicRoads can get the roads open,” he said.

Road cracks at Wye River. Photo: ABC

“At this stage we have no confidence that we can get tourism going until we get the all clear. We want people to be safe.”

Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said there was potential for a landslide in Wye River, which is recovering from Christmas Day fires.

“In the fire area … we haven’t got buildings there anymore, the debris has been removed, we’ve got trees that have been cut down because they were damaged by fire,” he said.

“Now we’ve got water saturated in the ground and potentially the land will slide.”

Commissioner Lapsley said VicRoads had dealt with 100 landslips on the Great Ocean Road.

He said supporting the people of Wye River was critical.

“The aftermath of fire is really challenging and now they’ve been impacted by rain and mudslides and the next couple of days will be really challenging. If we get more rain, it comes again,” Commissioner Lapsley said.

The Colac Incident Control Centre said geotechnicians would assess about 70 parts of the road of concern from Lorne to Apollo Bay.

Meanwhile, towns in Victoria’s west and north-west remain on alert as the state braces for more rain after major flooding.

‘We just want to get on with life’

Mr Brown said the landslips had put more pressure on the town.

“It’s been a long, pretty arduous journey for lots of us with the fire and not being able to be allowed in town, then all the issues of rebuilding,” he said.

“We just want to get going again and get on with life.”

The Victorian school holiday period started on Saturday, which normally sees visitor numbers in the area surge.

Mr Brown said the town had talked about busing locals in and out of town at a number of community meetings with emergency services.

“It’s quite clear that our initial fears that we are being left behind are totally wrong,” he said.

Authorities assess road between Lorne and Apollo Bay. Photo: ABC

“They’re [emergency services] really doing everything they can to keep locals in town with access and food.”

Wye River publican Paul Greene said locals were anxious to know when the road would be re-opened.

He said the last eight months following the fires had been tough.

“The community is still in a great deal of stress and distress. It’s very difficult for a lot of people,” Mr Greene said.

But he said locals would come together.

“We are a very strong and united community, very supportive of each other,” Mr Green said.

-ABC