Qld backyard combed over NSW child case

Material collected from a backyard south of Brisbane will undergo forensic testing as NSW detectives investigate the disappearance of a toddler almost a decade ago.

Forensics officers arrived at the Wagawn Street property in Woodridge south of Brisbane early on Thursday morning.

Detectives stayed on the premises well into the afternoon as two Queensland officers stood guard at the front gate.

"State Crime Command Homicide Squad is conducting inquiries into the disappearance of a 22-month-old boy who has not been accounted for since 2007," a NSW police spokesman said.

They later added: "A number of items were seized today from the Woodridge home which will undergo forensic testing."

A family with a number of children reportedly lived at the address in 2007 before relocating to NSW, where authorities were notified that the boy was missing.

Police wouldn't confirm reports he was only listed as missing in January this year.

Resident Terri James said the children spent much of their time outdoors.

"They were nice people ... they were always polite, they were just like normal kids," she told the Nine Network.

Other neighbours left flowers, teddy bears and cards at the front gate of the single-storey dwelling.

"Rest easy lil man," one card read.

The property sits next to Wagawn Park, a section of which was sealed off with police tape.

Police were combing through the property and the backyard for most of the day but left soon after 3pm.