By PAUL MILLAR
THE POLICE dog squad and a specialist team of investigators are combing bushland in the Otways, searching for potentially explosive devices.
Arson and Explosives Squad detectives arrested a 75-year-old local man in a makeshift dwelling near Apollo Bay on Tuesday morning in relation to alleged threats to government workers.
The man was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation at around 9.15am in Bush Rat Gully.
Police said he was being interviewed in relation to threats against State Government employees and other non-government institutions.
The man is a well-known local identity and is believed to have lived in the bush for at least a decade.
Sources said he was well-organised and had installed solar panels in his dwelling and had cut a path to his home.
Investigators will be conducting an extensive search of the bushland in Bush Rat Gully searching for materials related to potential improvised explosive devices.
The man is believed to have been living in a bush camp.
Detectives will be assisted by local police and members from the Victoria Police Search and Rescue and Dog Squads.
Victoria Police will also be assisted by Fire and Rescue NSW officers, using accelerant detection canines and officers from Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
The search, in steep, rugged bushland near Whitehawks cottage turn off, is expected to take some time.
