Acting Superintendent Paul Ross said work to make the Hamilton Highway property safe was “slow, complex and arduous” but going according to schedule.

He said controlled detonations had taken place in the exclusion zone three days this week, but there had been no threat to the public.

“We’re getting to our targets each day and we’ve been fortunate because of good weather.”

Acting Superintendent Ross said the road was still blocked around the site and he expected the closures to continue into next week.

“We understand the inconvenience and we’ve really been impressed with how the community has supported us in our work. It’s a particularly difficult inquiry because of the length of time and it’s nature.

“We’d like to thank the community because the support they’ve shown has been really terrific. It’s a really strong community and we’re rapt with the response.”

Acting Superintendent Ross said anyone needing help with specific issues, such as gaining access to stock within the exclusion zone, should contact him at the Warrnambool police station.

“We’ve done that on a case-by-case basis on a couple of occasions.”

The public meeting will be held at the Derrinallum Public Hall at 7.30pm on Easter Monday.

Meanwhile, the Country Fire Authority has begun issuing updates on its website to keep the public informed about road closures and the controlled explosions.

Towns along the highway continue to feel the pinch of the traffic closures. Traders in Derrinallum and Lismore have reported sharp downturns in trade, but the effects are also being felt further west along the highway. 

Businesses in Mortlake are reporting a quieter week as through-traffic seeks alternate routes along the Princes and Glenelg highways. 

Member for Polwarth Terry Mulder told The Standard yesterday it was difficult for the state government to step in because of the ongoing police operation. 

“We understand it’s normally a busy time of year for businesses in the area. I’ll be having discussions with the Premier and as soon as the police operation is over, we will sit down with business owners to talk about some form of assistance,” Mr Mulder said. 

“But at the moment it’s impossible for us to step in while the police operation is ongoing.” 

Mortlake Community Development Committee (MCDC) secretary Kelvin Goodall said there had been a noticeable downturn in traffic passing through the town. 

“I live on the highway and have noticed that there haven’t been as many trucks passing through this week,” he said. 

“There hasn’t been anywhere near as many caravan or campers coming through either.”

Clarke’s Cloverleaf Cafe proprietor Rob Hargreaves estimated his trade had halved since the highway was closed last Saturday.

“We’ve really noticed it. We’ve had to send staff home early just because they aren’t needed,” Mr Hargreaves said.