Pictures posted on social media led police to search a house on Brisbane's southside where they found explosives, the Queensland Police Service says.

A 32-year-old Rochedale South man has been charged with several offences, including manufacturing explosives, following the discovery of explosive chemicals, drugs, bullet shells and a training grenade inside a Rochedale South home on Saturday afternoon.

Police declared an emergent situation under the Public Safety Preservation Act.

At least three families living in homes close to the Kallista Road address were evacuated as officers carried out controlled explosions as the chemicals were too dangerous to remove safely.

The road was remained closed on Monday morning and police said residents were unlikely to be able to return to their homes while bomb squad officers continued their work.

There was no evidence to suggest the incident was terrorism-related or had any links to this week's G20 leaders' summit in Brisbane.

At a press conference on Sunday, Superintendent Noel Powers said the man arrested had posted several photos to Facebook himself.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing a range of charges over the discovery of drugs, explosive chemicals, ammunition and a training grenade. ( ABC News/Facebook )

"He's been posting certain images and comments on Facebook that has come to our attention and thank God we've been able to action it from there," he said.

Superintendent Powers said the man charged was not an avid bomb maker.

"[He's] someone with an unhealthy curiosity towards explosives, combined with a limited knowledge of chemistry - perhaps a more than average level of knowledge in chemistry - it's a lethal combination," he said.

"The gentleman has been fully compliant and is openly assisting us with our inquiries.

"There was no indication of any violence or resistance."

Superintendent Powers said police would be looking into how the man got his hands on the chemicals.

"That is something we will be finding out," he said.

"The availability of material you can buy through chemists, the amount of stuff you can buy online from overseas raises concerns too. These are all things that we will follow up."

He said police relied on information from the public in cases such as this one.

"If there is information out there of activity that causes people's suspicions to be aroused, don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call us, don't be afraid to report something that may be a little suspicious to you," he said.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said even small amounts of the chemicals found had the potential to injure people.

"It is hard to understand why someone would do this in a suburban environment," he said.

"Our job now is to make sure that site is rendered absolutely safe from those chemicals."

The charged man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will face the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday.

Police also spoke with another man who lives at the home.