Two live ordnances have been uncovered in the Anna Bay sand dunes where work is being undertaken as part of a hazard reduction operation to improve public safety.
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The first ordnance, believed to be a 17 kg mortar, was detonated by military experts on Saturday evening in the dunes, sending shockwaves across the Tomaree peninsula. It is believed that the second explosive was detonated at the Salt Ash weapons range.
The blast on Saturday could be heard from Soldiers Point to Nelson Bay and was most prominent around Anna Bay. The Department of Defence, however, says the blast was performed under strict safety controls.
A spokesperson said that Defence, in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Worimi Board of Management and specialist contractor Milsearch, had commenced operations last week after a universal carrier, also known as a Bren gun carrier, had been unearthed near the 4WD track off Gan Gan Road.
"The activity was being conducted with the appropriate environmental and heritage controls, approved and supervised by NPWS and local traditional owners," the spokesperson said.
"Birubi Beach was utilised by the RAAF and Army from 1941 until the early 1970s for both air-to-ground and ground-to-ground live-fire training, resulting in explosive ordnance materials in the area. Defence regularly responds to individual finds of unexploded ordnance on the beach and to items that have been removed by members of the public.
"Shifting sand and weather conditions within the [vicinity of] Birubi Beach had resulted in a specific target location being exposed. Milsearch was contracted to undertake a hazard reduction for the removal of unexploded ordnance and ... this included the safe destruction of material.
"While the beach remains open, all necessary safety precautions are being taken by specialists while the destruction of material occurs."
The spokesperson said that all unearthed materials would be processed on site in a safe and controlled manner to ensure the material is free from explosives before it is removed to an Environmental Protection Authority-approved recycling facility.
"Where unexploded ordnance is identified, technical experts from Defence will assess them. The majority of items will be removed for subsequent disposal elsewhere. However, as was the case on Saturday, it may be necessary that items are safely destroyed in location with a controlled demolition. This hazard reduction operation is planned to continue for a further three weeks and it is possible that further unexploded ordnance may be identified.
"There are no specific plans to expand the operation, however, Defence will continue to work with the land managers in the area to ensure the issue is safely managed."
The area under surveillance is protected by security firm Port Stephens Security, operated by former Port Stephens mayor and local historian Ron Swan.
Mr Swan said that public safety was a priority for all the stakeholders. "This area was used as a bombing range by the RAAF towards the end of World War II. They would use old shed, trucks, tanks and the like as training for pilots to hit targets, and over the years unexploded ordnance and materials have been buried under the sand." Mr Swan said that he was employed outside business hours to keep away thieves and souvenir hunters.
Milsearch offers comprehensive services in the assessment and remediation of land contaminated by military activities.
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