‘Hazardous Material’ Found on Australian Naval Base

A routine inspection this morning of on-base accommodation in the Australian Navy’s naval base HMAS Cerberus resulted in suspected hazardous material being located in a residential unit.

 A 400-meter safety zone was established around the accommodation block as a precaution.

Victoria Police attended the scene and assessed that there was no suspicious material. However, there were some hazardous items identified which Australian Defense does not permit to be stored in on-base accommodation. 

A Defense member was taken for questioning by Victoria Police, but was later released without charge. Defense is providing support to the member who was questioned.

All restrictions on the movement of personnel around the base have now been lifted and activities at the base have returned to normal.