A man has been charged after an improvised explosive device was allegedly found in a bin at Shoal Bay, near Port Stephens, earlier in the year.

About 3:40am, Monday 29 September 2014, police attached to Port Stephens Local Area Command were patrolling the area when they saw a small fire in a car park on Government Road.

The officers went to investigate and allegedly located an improvised explosive device in a garbage bin.

Police extinguished the fire while the explosive device was examined and declared safe. The bin and the device underwent forensic testing which led investigators to speak with a 35-year-old man.

About 10:50am yesterday (Tuesday 2 December 2014), the man attended Nelson Bay Police Station where he was spoken to by investigators and arrested.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was charged with possess, supply or make explosive for unlawful purpose and granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 5 January 2015.