An emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) has been made amid a police siege at Nerang on Queensland's Gold Coast.
A spokesperson for Queensland police said officers were negotiating with two men on "return to prison" warrants.
They were not sure if the men are armed, the spokesperson said.
It is understood one of the men had cut off a GPS ankle-tracking bracelet and been on the run prior to being confronted by police on Wednesday.
Police sources said the man was understood to be considered a high-risk violent offender but was not a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang.
There are understood to be several other people in the property with the man.
An exclusion zone was set up about 5pm, encompassing Riverpark Drive, McLaren Road, Kopwhai Place and Inverness Street.
Police said their main concern was public safety.
They said people should avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone have been asked to remain indoors until further notice.
Police earlier notified staff at St Brigid's Catholic Primary School, and following the school's protocols, it was put into lockdown.
