UPDATE 11.45AM: A post mortem is currently underway on the remains believed to be Simone Quinlan’s after they were found in a disused mine shaft.

The investigation will take some time however we believe those remains are those of Simone Quinlan’s,” Detective Inspector Jill Dyson said.

“We had confirmation this morning that those remains are female.

“Our investigation led us here and we believe that they are Simone Quinlan.

“We are still investigating the scene. I can’t comment on exactly what has been found at this stage.

“Today they will search the remainder of the crime scene.”

Detective Inspector Dyson said police were “pleased to be able to bring Simone home to her family.”

“Simone’s father has been spoken to by my detectives,” she said.

Detective Inspector Dyson said the terrain was difficult for the search parties.

UPDATE 11.05AM: Police will continue to search an area of bushland in Kangaroo Flat today following the discovery last night of what are believed to be human remains. They say it is a very distressing time for Ms Quinlan's family.

UPDATE 10.30am THURSDAY: Police will address media at 11am today in relation to the Simone Quinlan homicide investigation.

We will have a live Periscope feed on this story, as well as rolling updates.

UPDATE 7.30pm: Missing Person Squad detectives have located what are believed to be human remains at a search area in Kangaroo Flat, near Bendigo. 

A crime scene guard will remain at the scene overnight. 

Further forensic testing will take place Thursday morning. 

UPDATE 2pm: Police and emergency services workers continue their search for Simone Quinlan.

UPDATE 9.20am: An exclusion zone has been put in place under the Coroners Act in relation to the search for Simone Quinlan.

People are not allowed to enter part of the Bendigo Regional Park and some residential streets (see map).

People are not allowed to enter the restricted area without authority of the chief commissioner of police.

Any residents who live within the restricted area are however allowed to come and go from their own properties, but are not to enter the restricted area of the Bendigo Regional Park.

Notices will also be posted around the area.

UPDATE 8.55am: A briefing is under way as SES crews, DELWP officers and Victoria Police members – including the dog squad, mounted unit, missing persons investigative unit and search and rescue – prepare to start searching Kangaroo Flat parkland.

EARLIER: VICTORIA Police will this morning conduct a search of parkland in Kangaroo Flat in relation to the disappearance of Melton mother-of-two Simone Quinlan.

The 33-year-old was last seen at a service station in Melton on August 24.

Three men, Brendan Neil, 28, Dylan Jez, 23, and Wayne Marmo, 24, all of Melton, have been charged with Ms Quinlan’s murder.

It is alleged the trio murdered Ms Quinlan in Bacchus Marsh on August 25.

Police officers will be joined in the search by members of the State Emergency Service and Country Fire Authority.

More to come.