Concerns are escalating on day four of a search in Neerim South for missing woman Lucinda. 

More than 50 emergency services personal and local community members have been searching dense bush and farm land around McDougal Rd (in the vicinity of Ingleman Rd) and along Old Telegraph Rd today. The initial search began Sunday afternoon after police were informed the 24-year-old had failed to return home.

Police have continued to search the area since Sunday with the assistance of other agencies including the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria State Emergency Service and CFA. Local horse riders also have been assisting with the search.

“It’s quite an extensive response, we are now into Wednesday so that’s nearly three days that Lucinda has been missing so obviously the concerns are continuing to escalate,” Inspector Peter Fusinato said.

“We’ve certainly got some local horse riders that have assisted us, we’ve also got our own mounted branch down and we’ve utilised canine as well.

"The support from the community has been excellent." 

Insp Fusinato said investigators confirmed through bank records that Lucinda was dropped off on McDougal Rd "several" kilometres from her family home at about 11.30am Sunday October 16.

He said Lucinda was dropped off by a rideshare company that she had used to get from Dandenong to Neerim South.

“Sometime later (after 11.30am) she obviously didn’t arrive home, she was familiar with the area so the expectation was that maybe she was going to walk home – unfortunately, she didn’t arrive.

"Obviously she had the option to go in different directions, but once you turn left instead of right it opens up and it's like a needle in a haystack,” he said. 

Insp Fusinato confirmed police have been in contact with the driver that transported Lucinda to Neerim South. He said the driver had assisted police in their investigation. 

“He’s been good enough to come down and show us to make sure we were in the right location."

On Sunday afternoon police airwing attended the area, and conducted an "extensive search" for Lucinda, before returning on Sunday evening to conduct another search using FLIR (thermal imaging). 

Insp Fusinato said police were making "all the relevant inquiries external to the investigation" but are "comfortable" she was dropped off at the location on McDougal Rd of her own volition.

Those who live in and around the search area are being asked to continue to check their land and sheds.

“If there is anything you find that you’re not sure about give us a call, because whilst you might think it might be inconsequential, it might be something that’s relative to the information that we’ve got," Insp Fusinato said. 

There are concerns for Lucinda's well-being due to her slight frame and the cold weather overnight.

Lucinda is about 165cm tall with a thin build and blonde hair. 

Police and family have concerns for her welfare.

Anyone who sights Lucinda or has information is urged to call Warragul Police Station on 5622 7111.