12:40 UPDATE Police have now removed the crime scene tape from the area and the item has been removed by the Bomb Squad. Speaking with the Bay Post after the event Sgt Mark Dudley confirmed the ABC South East report from a local shopkeeper at 9am that a bag containing what appeared to be clock, battery and wires were found in the bag with a note that said "boom". Items have now been taken in to evidence Batemans Bay CBD is now OPEN for business . The Beagle would like to thank Milton Leslight (for his many photos below) and the many other readers who contributed to providing news updates for the community. Many thanks to the local police and the attendance of the NSW Bomb Squad and their role in keeping our communities safe. 12:35 - Update The NSW Bomb Squad have arrived in Batemans Bay. They were flown down from Sydney by helicopter and are on the scene to investigate the suspicious duffle bag located in the garden area of the Batemans Bay CBD by Council workers at 8:50am this morning.
UPDATE 12 noon: A suspicious device located in a duffle bag found in the garden area by Council workers has the NSW Police bomb squad arriving by helicopter from Sydney to (due to arrive 12:30pm) to investigate A 50 metre exclusion zone remains affecting a number of businesses on Orient St and within the pedestrian plaza leading to the Village Plaza Mall. Detours are in place vai North St. Batemans Bay Police have locked down a section of the Batemans Bay CBD this morning in the section between orient Street and the Village Plaza.
It is understood that there was a suspicious package located in a garden bed and that a squad is now on its way to investigate.
Photos courtesy of Milton Leslight of Beaches and Bush Properties
