Fertiliser behind Defence security scare while school group toured
Police speak with military personnel outside HMAS Cerberus during last month's security scare. (9NEWS) 9NEWS
A quantity of fuel and an empty fertiliser box have been identified as the "hazardous" items that sparked a major security scare on a Defence base last month.
Officials say a routine inspection of accommodation on HMAS Cerberus naval base on October 16 revealed what were initially described as "a number of hazardous materials".
As a precaution, a 400-metre safety zone was established around the accommodation block and access to and from the base was restricted to essential personnel.
At the time a school group was touring the base.
"Appropriate hazardous material precautions have been implemented," Defence said in a hot issues brief at the time.
The brief also revealed a Defence member was helping Victorian police with their inquiries.
A Defence spokesman said today Victorian police later assessed there was no suspicious material.
"However, there were some hazardous items identified which Defence does not permit to be stored in on-base accommodation. These included fuel and an empty box of fertiliser," the spokesman said.
No charges were laid.
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