Explosive device defused on Gold Coast

An explosive device found inside a vehicle near a Gold Coast factory has been defused.

The police bomb squad rendered the device safe after being called to the industrial complex on Brisbane Road at Arundel about 10am.

A police spokesman told AAP a witness saw something that "looked like a homemade bomb" in a vehicle.

Reports a PVC pipe filled with explosives, guns and ammunition were found in a truck could not be confirmed by police.

Several businesses in the area were evacuated.

The exclusion zone put in place was lifted at 12.50pm (AEST).