Gus was last spotted around 5 pm on Saturday, September 27, at his family’s property, Oak Park Station, which is located approximately 40km south of Yunta in the remote area of South Australia.
The search was called off earlier this month after no trace of Gus was found during a intensive six-day search.
Police today resumed the search and launched Taskforce Horizon to investigate Gus’ disappearance.
Today, a search effort involving 18 police officers, 84 personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), 33 vehicles, State Emergency Service (SES) resources, drones, and utility terrain vehicles was launched to thoroughly search the isolated landscape in the mid-north region of South Australia.
The coordinated search has progressed in zones “outside of the original search area”, police said.
The search will resume tomorrow, however hot weather is expected to restrict authorities on Thursday.
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said today no stone would be left unturned in the search for Gus.
“We are dedicated to making sure we do everything we possibly can to bring Gus back to his family,” Stevens said.
The fresh search was not triggered by any new information, Stevens said.
He said police were returning to the property to extend their search following specialist advice.
“We are looking for up to two days but there will be a continual reassessment,” Stevens said.
“The resources that we’re deploying may change over time and the use of specialist drones will be another consideration as we move forward as well.”
The search area covered so far has been around 470 square kilometres.
Stevens emphasised the sheer magnitude of the search area and said it was like combing through “100 Adelaide CBDs”.
“We are searching in quite unusual terrain, it is a significant effort,” he said.
“We’re exhausting every opportunity to recover Gus.”
Taskforce Horizon consists of 12 specialists who will analyse information and suggest different areas to search.
The results from the thermal drone cameras were yet to be analysed but Stevens admitted police were not hopeful it would yield any information.
Stevens said the ongoing search will be coordinated “like any other police operation”.
He told reporters there is nothing to suggest foul play in Gus’ disappearance.
Police have received more than 150 Crime Stoppers tips since Gus went missing, but warn online speculation has been hurtful to Gus’ family.
His family have said in a statement they are “devastated” and “deeply distressed” by his disappearance.
“I would describe them as stoic,” Stevens added.
“But you can imagine just how they are feelings, without having Gus and without having answers to exactly where Gus is and what’s happened to him.
“This would be traumatic for any family.”
