A bomb squad has been called to Redhead Beach after a suspicious object was uncovered during excavation works, prompting police to establish an exclusion zone.
The object was discovered on Monday 13 July during works to install new fencing on the headland above the beach.
It was initially believed to be a rock before being dug up, with those on site becoming concerned by its appearance and alerting emergency services.
Police attended the scene and secured the area while specialist officers were called in to assess the item.
A person at the site said work stopped immediately after the discovery.
“Once it was uncovered, it looked suspicious, so no risks were taken,” they said.
“Police were called and an exclusion zone was put in place.”
The person said emergency services, including the bomb squad, responded to the incident and the site remained closed while authorities examined the object.
Workers were told they can’t return to the site until it had been cleared.
“The military has seen photos of it, but as far as we know, no one has confirmed exactly what it is,” they said.
The discovery of the unedified object comes in an area with a long military history.
Before being dismantled in 1945, Redhead was home to an anti-aircraft gun emplacement and an observation post that formed part of Newcastle’s World War II coastal defence network.
Fort Scratchley Historical Society curator Ron Barber said the observation post supported nearby defence installations by monitoring the coastline.
“It was manned by army personnel and acted as the observation post for Fort Wallace,” Mr Barber said.
Mr Barber said there was a possibility the object could be linked to World War II, given Redhead’s history and previous discoveries of wartime relics along the Hunter coastline.
Work has since resumed at the site; however, excavation remains on hold while authorities continue their investigation into the object.
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