Ministers grilled over Pinkenba as doors still shut, buck passing continues

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, state and federal ministers were grilled about the ongoing Pinkenba saga that has infuriated homeless service providers as the rate of those being forced to sleep on the street soars.

• Housing and homelessness questions answered

Queensland’s homeless crisis has plunged further into despair in the nine months of government bickering and buck passing over the mothballed Pinkenba quarantine facility — which still has its 500 beds sitting idle.

State Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon committed $10 million in June to transform the Commonwealth-owned site into emergency shelter and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner originally called for the vacant facility to be opened for crisis accommodation in mid-2022.

But the federal and state governments remain at a stalemate over when the doors could fling open for those in need, with federal Housing Minister Julie Collins on Thursday repeatedly deflecting questions on the proposal while spruiking a separate housing announcement in Ipswich.

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, Ms Collins and Ms Scanlon were grilled about the ongoing saga that has infuriated homeless service providers as the rate of those being forced to sleep on the street soars.

Qld Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon and Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins on Thursday. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Ms Collins would not say if the federal government was satisfied with the state’s detailed proposal, if other tenders for the site were still being considered, or if the site could be ruled out altogether.

It comes after The Courier-Mail revealed the crisis was escalating to tents teetering on the banks of the Brisbane River and makeshift homes in plain sight.

“We continue to work with the Queensland government about the best solutions to support people that need a safe affordable place to call home,” Ms Collins said.

“We want to make sure people are getting the most appropriate support services and they’re in the most appropriate place and we want to get people those services as quickly as we can and we’ll continue to work at the Queensland government about the best way to do that.”

The Courier-Mail can reveal the state government visited Pinkenba last week and is progressing plans to convert the facility into emergency shelter.

Pinkenba Quarantine Facility. Source: Brisbane City Council

But given the remote location of the site and distance to service providers, it is likely the site will not be used as a traditional homeless shelter and instead be offered to women and families fleeing domestic violence.

The Lord Mayor’s $1 million offer from Brisbane council to assist in the transformation also remains on the table.

Ms Scanlon said the discussions for the conversion were ongoing and later in the day reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to house vulnerable Queenslanders at the facility.

“We’ve made it clear for months that we are ready and willing to support a housing solution at Pinkenba, including providing a formal proposal and put up to $10 million plus operational funding on the table,” she told The Courier-Mail.

“Ultimately though, this is a Commonwealth-owned site and they need to make a decision about its use.

“We continue to work proactively on providing any additional information required, including working with local housing organisations.”

Pinkenba Quarantine Facility. Source: Brisbane City Council.

Housing peak body Q Shelter told The Courier-Mail the group has provided advice to the state government about the structural adjustments needed to make Pinkenba a safe and suitable housing solution.

“The site’s potential is being investigated and Q Shelter has provided advice on how the site might work to alleviate pressure on the housing market,” executive director Fiona Caniglia said.

The delays to offer the unoccupied beds to vulnerable Queenslanders “is not just frustrating, it is unacceptable,” Queensland Council of Social Service chief executive Aimee McVeigh said.

“This state recorded a record Budget surplus last year, the highest of any state ever,” she said. “Every Queenslander deserves to share in that prosperity.

“QCOSS welcomed Premier Steven Miles’s announcement in February of the Homes For Queenslanders package as a positive sign that the government recognises the urgency of this crisis and is willing to act to address the chronic housing shortage.

“But more has to be done. I urge all levels of government to work together to resolve any issues regarding the Pinkenba site.

“Any building that could provide accommodation for Queenslanders needing a roof over their head should be considered urgently.”