Police investigating a suspicious item near a public swimming pool in northern Queensland have declared an emergent situation under the state's Public Safety Act.
The emergency order was activated shortly before 6pm on Friday after concerns were raised over a discarded box found in a car park on Fulham Road in Townsville, opposite Heatley Secondary College, earlier in the day.
As a result, Fulham Road, Mill Drive, Finerty Street and Lindeman Avenue around the venue have been closed off and motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
Police say residents within the exclusion zone have been asked to remain indoors although no evacuations are planned.
Specialist officers, including members of the Explosive Ordnance Response Team, remain at the scene.
The Townsville Bulletin citing police reports that the package is the size of a shoebox.
The paper says it was wrapped in duct tape, had wires attached to it and was discovered in a bin at the entrance to the Long Tan Memorial Pool.