Ellen Ransley AUGUST 16
A 1000-bed quarantine facility near the Brisbane Airport that will take the pressure off Queensland’s hotel quarantine system will be completed by next year.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said a MOU had been signed with the Commonwealth.
A 1000-bed purpose-built quarantine facility will be built by the federal government at Damascus Barracks near the Brisbane Airport. It will be run by Queensland Health. Picture: GoogleSource:Supplied
The federal government will build the facility on the Damascus Barracks at Pinkenba (next to the Airport) on the Defence Department land, and when it is completed, the Queensland government will pay for the running costs for the duration of the pandemic.
The facility will continue to be used when a quarantine facility is no longer required, potentially as an evacuation centre.
The centre will be operational in the first half of 2022.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said with the Delta variant causing havoc around the world, it had “never been more urgent” to have a dedicated quarantine facility.
“Unlike previous state suggestions, this site (Pinkenba) is appropriately close to Brisbane international airport and all necessary medical facilities,” Mr Birmingham said.
“We continue to urge the commonwealth to work with us on additional quarantine facilities, including in regional areas, that might be able to take pressure off our hotel quarantine system.”