A secluded roadside scrubland on the outskirts of Hobart is where police are confident of finding the remains of a woman missing for almost 46 years.
Typist and beauty pageant entrant Lucille Butterworth was 20 years old when she went missing on August 25, 1969, while planning to travel by bus to New Norfolk, north of the city.
Inspector David Plumpton said forensic teams would excavate the site under the coroner's instructions.
"We have now received information that gives us strong grounds to believe that Lucille, not only was she murdered, but her remains (were) dumped," he told reporters on Friday.
"We now intend to excavate ... and conduct a lengthy forensic examination of the area in an effort to locate, hopefully, those remains and if not, some evidence that Lucille was left here by the person who took her life."
Police believe Ms Butterworth missed her bus and was picked up by a passing motorist.
A team of up to 10 forensic specialists will take part in the dig, which will start on Monday and last for at least a fortnight.
The area, which in 1969 was commonly used as a parking spot by people who went fishing in the Derwent River, was part of only a cursory search at the time.
It will remain under constant guard until excavations are complete.
A coronial inquest into Ms Butterworth's disappearance is set to start on August 31.
