Queensland Health says it doesn’t currently require the dedicated quarantine facility nearing completion at Pinkenba.
Announcing the advice from the Chief Health Officer, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said it meant Queensland would change its approach to quarantine management.
“The State Government has accepted that advice and advised the Australian Government it will not require use of its facility nearing completion at Pinkenba,” Dr Miles said.
“The Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre at Wellcamp, which has been operating since February, will be placed in care and maintenance under similar arrangements to those at Howard Springs in the Northern Territory.”
This meant it would remain available should the pandemic response settings change.
Dr Miles said having a dedicated quarantine facility provided the confidence needed to open State and international borders, while providing an insurance mechanism against an unknown future.
“The expert advice was that we needed it so Queensland could cope with future unknowns and provide the certainty we needed to open up the State,” Dr Miles said.
“This situation is reflected around the country. The Commonwealth-funded facility in Perth hasn’t even opened and they are looking for new uses.”
Dr Miles said the Wellcamp Centre (pictured) had housed more than 700 people needing quarantine and isolation since it opened in February.
Now the State would consider other uses for the remainder of its lease.
