Federal government eyes Inpex site at Howard Springs for coronavirus victims

The federal government has found an abandoned facility - with its own cinema, beach volleyball court and gym - to quarantine coronavirus victims in Australia.

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EXCLUSIVE: Australian evacuees being flown out of coronavirus affected areas are set to be quarantined at a disused workers village on the outskirts of Darwin.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner has confirmed he has been contacted by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton about the use of the 3500-bed village at Howard Springs, about 30km south of the Darwin CBD.

“The Northern Territory’s Incident Management Team meets regularly to coordinate the NT’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, including standard scenario-planning work,” Mr Gunner said.

“This includes assessing the capabilities of possible sites for evacuees.

The Manigurr-ma Camp formerly used by Inpex workers. Picture: Supplied

The former Inpex workers village at Howard Springs could house coronavirus victims. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

“The Home Affairs Minister called me today to discuss the possibility of the Inpex workers’ village as a possible site for quarantining Australians evacuated from China’s Hubei province.

“Australian Government officials are assessing the site for suitability.

“The Australian Government confirmed that the safety and security of Territorians is a priority, as well as caring for evacuated Australians in need.”

The facility of the village at Howard Springs. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

The facility housed 3500 workers during the construction of the gas operation. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

News Corp today revealed the Federal Government was seriously considering the Darwin facility amid fears thousands of Australians fleeing coronavirus areas may need to be quarantined.

The village was built by Japanese gas company Inpex in 2012 to house up to 3500 fly-in workers during the construction of its $55 billion LNG plant in Darwin harbour.

The last Inpex workers moved out of the facility in 2018.

It was gifted to the Northern Territory Government a year later but remains empty.

The Howard Springs facilities include a gym. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

The 67-hectare site includes a 50-seat cinema, swimming pool, library, outdoor beach volleyball court, cardio and spin room, commercial style gym, 2700 metre running track, music room, basketball and tennis courts, cricket nets, sports oval, commercial kitchen and dining hall, internet room, tavern and shop.

Its 875 accommodation units include 3500 bedrooms with ensuites.

The bedrooms at the Howard Springs facility. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

The former Inpex site includes a rec room. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

The Manigurr-ma Camp at Howard Springs. Picture: Supplied

News Corp understands health officials have been pushing for the use of the Darwin facility.

It’s advantages include that it is vacant and has near new facilities including a medical centre.

It is also close to two hospitals and the headquarters of the National Critical Care and Trauma Centre.

But it is also close to the town of Howard Springs and Darwin’s satellite city of Palmerston, home to about 30,000 people.

Originally published as Federal government eyes Inpex site at Howard Springs for coronavirus victims