"This has resulted in the potential for unexploded ordnance (UXO) to exist in some of these areas. "The areas around Redbank Plains, Clear Mountain and Coomera have been identified as more heavily used areas and UXO have been discovered in these areas." The ADF has compiled an interactive map of Australia that shows where unexploded ordnance (UXO) have been found over the years. Areas highlighted in red indicate a substantial occurrence of UXO and orange-shaded areas represent a slight occurrence. Unexploded ordnance map - Brisbane

The hotspots in the south-east include Clear Mountain north of Brisbane, Redbank Plains and White Rock in Ipswich, a stretch between Dicky Beach and Bokarina near Caloundra, an area between Peregian Springs and Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast, an area adjacent to Pimpama Conservation Park on the Gold Coast as well as Wonglepong in the Scenic Rim. Other areas with an increased prevalence of unexploded ordnance discoveries were Cooloola in the Gympie region, a 40-kilometre stretch between Canoona and Limestone Creek near Rockhampton as well as a 160-kilometre stretch between Southedge and Mount Garnet in north Queensland. In terms of underwater ordnance, several historians believe a large number of explosives were dumped in Moreton Bay at the end of World War II as overseas forces prepared to return home. The Department of Defence also revealed to Fairfax Media in 2015 that more than 8000 tonnes of chemical weapons, mostly mustard gas, were also dumped in five-kilometre-wide zones on the ocean side of Cape Moreton. Brisbane freelance historian Brian Rough, who specialises in Australian military history, said World War II artillery ranges were situated at Clear Mountain and Caloundra, which he believed explained the spike in unexploded ordnance finds at these locations.

Unexploded ordnance map - Sunshine Coast. According to government World War II records, an ammunition dump and military camp were located at Redbank, the United States 32nd Infantry Division camp and seaplane landing area were situated near Coomera and an anti-aircraft training battery was based near Wonglepong. Mr Rough and fellow Brisbane military historian Jack Ford have heard stories supporting the belief that significant amounts of ordnance were dumped in Moreton Bay after the war. Mr Ford said a large United States naval ordnance depot was situated in Mount Coot-tha during the fighting. He said prior to the outbreak of the war, the area was publically-accessible parkland. He believed when the war was over, the US military was told to clear the Mount Coot-tha site so it could be reopened to the public and said he "would not be surprised" if large amounts of the American explosives were dumped in Moreton Bay.

Unexploded ordnance map - Gold Coast. When unexploded ordnance is found, the Queensland Police Service's Explosive Ordnance Response Team (QPS EORT) initially deals with the discovery by clearing the surrounding area and calling in the ADF. Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Gardiner, officer-in-charge of QPS EORT, said he and fellow members of the bomb squad also assist in the identification of the device where possible. "Due to the extensive history of military training in Queensland, there remains a large amount of unexploded ordnance which is yet to be recovered," he said. "From a QPS perspective, with an increase in housing developments, there is also an increase in UXO recovery.

"It is normally discovered through earthworks, roadworks, on building sites or other instances where the earth is disturbed. "The UXO is left in place, we advise people not to touch it, establish an exclusion area, try to identify the explosive if possible and then contact the Australian Army for them to deal with it." Unexploded ordnance map - north Queensland. Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Gardiner said while he had not noticed an increase in World War II explosive discoveries, he said there had been more instances where military ordnance was being found in the possession of members of the public, mostly during the clearing of deceased estates. A Defence spokesperson said specially-trained ADF personnel either remove the explosive or detonate it on site.

"UXO can be dangerous if it is disturbed or handled," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Unless the UXO was deliberately disturbed (picked up, played with, kicked, thrown) there are no known instances in Australia where an incidentally discovered item of UXO has injured a member of the public." Unexploded ordnance map - central Queensland. "If a suspected UXO item is found - do not touch, disturb or tamper with the item in any way. This includes making any attempt to move the item to a safe location. "Carefully note the appearance of the item and the location. Take a photograph if it is possible to do so without further approaching or disturbing the item.