Noosa Heads police have been in talks with the Australian Defence Force to hand over two M20 3.5 inch rocket launchers discovered last week by Noosa Shire Council waste management contractors Cleanaway.
Police were contacted by council which advised that diligent members from the council waste management department discovered the items while sorting waste retrieved from industrial bins within the Noosa Shire Noosa Eumundi Road area on 29 September. A quantity of annunition was also located and handed to police.
Senior sergeant Ben Carroll said while the items were inert, it is concerning they were in the community. He said that type of weapon was still in use around the world in warfare, and the ADF would use them in training the troops.
Sen Sgt Carroll said the recent nationwide weapons amnesty which finished on 30 September saw 96 weapons surrendered to Noosa Heads police.
“The weapons ranged in type and included semi-automatic pistols and rifles, pump action shotguns, double barrel shotguns, bolt action rifles, air rifles and ammunition,” he said.
One item of interest is a pistol capable of shooting 30 rounds.
Noosa Heads police have 116 weapons ready for destruction which include court-related forfeitures.
There were 16,000 weapons surrendered across Queensland during the amnesty and more than 50,000 nationwide.
