Federal govt refutes Steven Miles’s claim Pinkenba facility not ready

Ready or not? Federal and state governments at odds over whether Brisbane Covid-19 quarantine camp is “ready”.

CONSTRUCTION of Brisbane’s Covid-19 quarantine camp has been completed the federal government has confirmed, disputing claims from Deputy Premier Steven Miles that it wouldn’t be ready before Christmas.

Dr Miles, in parliament on Thursday, signalled the federal government’s Pinkenba quarantine facility had been delayed until December — in what would be a staggering schedule blowout.

But a federal finance department spokesman confirmed construction of the facility was complete, with “certificates of occupancy issued for all buildings on August 26”.

“Had Queensland authorities needed to use the facility earlier, initial stages of the Centre could have been made available for use from mid-July 2022,” he said.

JULY 28, 2022: Federal Quarantine Facility under construction, Pinkenba. Picture: Liam Kidston

But the state government has in turn flagged it meant the facility still needed a period of commissioning and assurance processes to be ready for use — a process believed to take 12 weeks.

“Based on the advised completion date, the earliest Pinkenba could be fitted out and commissioned was towards the end of November or early December,” a spokeswoman for Dr Miles said on Friday.

The Pinkenba proposal, a venture funded and led by the federal government but ultimately run by the state government, was meant to have 500 beds open at the end of 2021 and another 500 sometime this year.

But the proposal was ultimately slimmed to just 500 beds with the state government meant to be given responsibility of operating the facility in March, and it is not certain if it will now be necessary for the keys to be handed over.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – AUGUST 30, 2022. Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Inclement weather, particularly the floods in early 2022, pushed the timeline back.

In June this year the completion of the Pinkenba facility was understood to be “near”.

Dr Miles did not clarify if the state government would be extending its lease on the Wellcamp quarantine facility, which expires on April 2023 but has the option of a 12 month extension.

He confirmed, under questioning from the Opposition, that more information on the cost of the beleaguered Wellcamp facility would be detailed in the relevant department’s annual report when it comes due.

The finance department, on its website, stated the centres would be used for “other purposes” when no longer needed for Covid-19 purposes.

“The designs open up possibilities for use in future public health emergencies, humanitarian efforts, or as crisis accommodation for bushfire-affected communities or other vulnerable Australians,” it stated.