The Queensland government is pushing ahead with its own regional dedicated COVID-19 quarantine facility.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Thursday that Cabinet has approved the project on vacant land owned by Wagner Corporation, just outside Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.
The announcement came as the state recorded two new cases of COVID-19, both in hotel quarantine.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Thursday that Cabinet has approved the project on vacant land owned by Wagner Corporation, just outside Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.
The announcement came as the state recorded two new cases of COVID-19, both in hotel quarantine.
“Our hotels were not built for the Delta strain of this virus,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This is going to be a great boost for our defence against the Delta virus in this country, and in fact I believe we need regional facilities, right across the country.
“I have been advocating for this for a long, long time. It is a no-brainer.”
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said he hoped the facility would prevent future lockdowns sparked by the virus leaking out of hotel quarantine.
“When you consider that the last lockdown alone cost more than a billion dollars in economic impact, and compensation, you can see just what fantastic value it will be,” he said.
‘Much safer than non-purpose-built hotel quarantine’
The federal government has made it clear that it would not pay for a quarantine facility at Wellcamp.
In June, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the site did not meet the criteria for a Commonwealth-funded quarantine compound because it was not within easy access of a passenger airport terminal or tertiary hospital.
He knocked back the plan and instead proposed a facility at the Damascus Barracks, about 5 minutes’ drive from Brisbane Airport.
A feasibility study by consultancy group AECOM found the Pinkenba facility could be up and running for the first 500 travellers by March 31, although some challenges posed a “significant risk” to this timeframe – including modifying accommodation to mitigate aircraft noise.
On Thursday, Mr Morrison said despite the Wellcamp facility not meeting national guidelines, Ms Palaszczuk has “been at liberty” to build the site “for months”.
Source: ABC