Police declared an emergency at Peregian Beach at 12.30pm on Friday after a member of the public found an explosive device, which ADF bomb disposal experts later determined unsafe to transport, at the entrance to Beach Access 53 on Peregian Esplanade.
Police chief inspector Michael Miley said the unexploded ordinance (UXO) was most probably moved to the access gate after being found washed up on the beach.
A member of the public found it located near the entrance and contacted police, he said.
“Someone had actually moved it from, we daresay, the beach to the gate,” chief inspector Miley said.
An exclusion zone was set up encompassing David Low Way from Podargus Parade to Woodland Drive, and including Martin St, Avocet St, Peregian Esp, Parakeet Cres, Egrer St, Teal St, Currawong Cres, Osprey Ave, Tern St, Garnet St, Ibis St, Pelican St, and Kingfisher Drive and residents were advised to stay indoors unless notified by police.
“For the safety of others we executed our powers under the Public Safety Preservation Act declared an emergency situation and had the ADF (Australian Defence Force) here,” chief inspector Miley said.
“The army has the expertise in handling these things. They’ve taken it down the beach and detonated it in a safe manner.”
Chief inspector Miley said the device which was about 30cm in length, appeared to have been made this century but looked like it had been in the water for some time.
It carried a written warning not to handle it and if found to contact police.
Police said the ADF bomb disposal experts loaded sandbags on top of the device before exploding it, with a significant bang heard around the neighbourhood and a cavity left behind in the sand, along with pieces of shrapnel which Noosa Council were called on to collect.
A Defence spokesperson confirmed the UXO found at Peregian Beach to be a Marine marker.
“Defence assessed the unexploded ordnance (UXO) at the scene. The UXO was assessed as unsafe for transport and was disposed of onsite,” the spokesperson said.
“Defence routinely assists state and territory policing agencies in the safe recovery or disposal of suspected unexploded military ordnance found in public areas.”
A local resident who was among those told to stay inside, thanked police for their work in keeping everyone safe.
If a member of the public should find a suspicious item that may be UXO, local police should be contacted immediately. Police will arrange for military experts to attend and dispose of the item. Members of the public should leave the item where it is found.
Information and how suspicious items should be dealt with can be found at Defence’s dedicated UXO website, www.defence.gov.au/uxo/
