Suspicious device detonated at Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast after residents evacuated from exclusion zone

A suspicious device has been detonated after residents were sent home from a popular beach.

An exclusion zone was established at Peregian Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast at 12.30pm on Friday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Blast rocks Sunshine Coast beach as army detonates flare.

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“Police have made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) after a suspicious device was located on Peregian Beach today,” police said.

Chief Inspector Michael Miley described it as “similar to a postal cylinder tube… about a foot and a half long”.

Residents were urged to stay indoors unless instructed otherwise by police, and members of the public were advised to avoid the area.

The suspicious device was detonated at Peregian Beach. Credit: 7NEWSDefence and bomb disposal experts were called in to assess the device. Credit: 7NEWS

Defence and bomb disposal experts were called in to assess the device.

A Defence spokesperson later confirmed it was a marine marker.

“Defence assessed the unexploded ordnance (UXO) at the scene. The UXO was assessed as unsafe for transport and were disposed of onsite,” the spokesperson said.

Miley said: “It’s actually classified as a marine navigation device … which actually does contain an explosive device.”

Police said Peregian Beach has a history of unexploded ordnance due to previous military training exercises in the area.

The device is believed to have washed up on the beach, and a member of the public might have moved it to the gate entrance.

Footage from the 7NEWS helicopter shows the suspicious device being detonated about 2.30pm, sending a plume of smoke into the air as specialist police controlled the blast.

The PSPA has since been revoked, and the area has been declared safe.

The exclusion zone covered David Low Way from Podargus Pde to Woodland Dr, including nearby streets such as 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 Dr.

An exclusion zone was established at Peregian Beach. Credit: Queensland Police