Pleas to house homeless in Pinkenba quarantine facility

Political leaders have been urged to get on with housing vulnerable Queenslanders at a former Brisbane quarantine facility as stalled plans to convert the site drag on.

Political leaders have been urged to get on with housing vulnerable Queenslanders at Pinkenba as stalled plans to convert the quarantine site drag on.

The state’s peak body for homeless support Q Shelter has once again delivered an offer to all levels of government to host an implementation design meeting to ensure the facility is fit for purpose.

Executive Director Fiona Caniglia said the group is “eager to get it moving as soon as possible” following revelations the state government is yet to deliver a detailed formal proposal to the Commonwealth in five months.

“Now is the time when we need collaboration across the levels of government together with the community services sector,” she said.

“We are offering to host that event to more deeply consider how implementation could succeed.

“The site does have some challenges but is also an opportunity that needs to be fully explored. It might not work for every area of need, but it might just work for some.”

Inside the Pinkenba Quarantine Facility. Source: Brisbane City Council.

Amid the enduring confusion and stalled plans, Ms Caniglia said it was vital all levels of government along with expert groups carefully analyse the implementation of the proposal.

“If the barriers are insurmountable or the costs are too high compared to other investment in housing supply then let’s work that out together,” she said.

“We need collaboration and trust to exhaust all possibilities. If this is feasible and cost-effective, then let’s chart an implementation plan together.

“Homeless people need to know that we as leaders are putting them first in everything we do, running every single opportunity to ground.”

It was reported earlier that plans to repurpose the Pinkenba quarantine facility into crisis accommodation for Brisbane’s skyrocketing homeless population had ground to a halt, with the state government yet to deliver a detailed formal proposal to the Commonwealth despite committing to the project five months ago.

The stalemate comes as charity organisations report an extreme increase in demand for homelessness services and more tents emerge throughout Brisbane ahead of Christmas.

The Pinkenba Quarantine Facility. Source: Brisbane City Council.

The Pinkenba quarantine centre is estimated to have cost around $400 million to build and is currently operated by the Australian Department of Defence, meaning co-operation between the federal and state government is needed if it is to be repurposed as crisis accommodation.

State Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon in June promised $10 million towards converting the 500-bed facility and told The Courier-Mail on Thursday she had submitted a proposal to the federal government in August.

But the federal government insisted it was yet to receive one.

A letter penned by the Australian Department of Treasury last month and obtained by The Courier-Mail states: “No detailed proposals have been provided by the Queensland Government, or the Brisbane City Council to lease or utilise the Pinkenba to provide short term accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.”

Despite the letter, dated October 11, Ms Scanlon remains adamant a written proposal was submitted in August.

The unused Pinkenba quarantine facility.

“I wrote to the federal government on August 9 with a proposal,” she said.

“Our position remains the same.”

Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher said the federal government received only a letter on that date and discussions were still being had on the future of the site.

“We have been continuing discussions across government about possible future uses of the (Pinkenba facility) … acknowledging the constraints of a purpose-built quarantine facility being utilised for longer term housing,” she said.

It is understood no further letters have been exchanged between the two Labor governments regarding an official proposal since August.

The Courier-Mail requested a copy of the proposal Ms Scanlon said the state government submitted in August but were declined.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who has long advocated for the facility to be converted to homeless accommodation, said the delay was “simply not good enough” and called on the state government to submit a formal plan to get the facility open.

“People are increasingly desperate for a roof over their heads and they’ve already waited long enough for these two Labor Governments to get their act together,” he said.

Following Ms Scanlon’s announcement in June, the Salvation Army quickly offered to help manage the Pinkenba site.

Five months on, the organisation is still waiting to hear from the state government.

“What we’ve seen over the last 12 months is quite extreme,” Salvation Army public relation secretary Simon Gregory said.

“The fact that (Pinkenba) has taken so long … I guess that's what happens when you have three of government working together.

T.L. and Leander are living in a tent in Musgrave Park, South Brisbane. Picture: Richard Walker

BRISBANE INCREASINGLY A TENT CITY

Tents are continuing to pop up around Brisbane city as the number of Queenslanders resorting to sleeping on the streets grows.

Founder of the Northwest Community Groups Incorporated Paul Slater who organises tents, bedding and clothing for those sleeping rough said he had been approached by 150 people during October and handed out at least 50 tents.

Homeless mother of two Leander was one of those people.

She recently set up her tent alongside ten others in Brisbane’s Musgrave Park and plans to stay there until an emergency accommodation spot opens for her.

Speaking with the Courier-Mail, Leander revealed she was attempting to get her life back on track after the father of her children died of alcoholism.

“I just finished rehab,” she said.

“My babies’ father died of alcoholism two days ago so I need to stop.”

Leander said the opening of Pinkenba to the homeless population would help those on charity waitlists.

“I’ve been here for two nights now and it’s thanks to Paul, he’s given me undies, socks, cloths, chips, drink. He’s amazing,” she said.

“I would love if Pinkenba became an option for those who had nowhere else to go.”

Mr Slater said he was disappointed about “how much the system is failing”.

“Charities that cycle through 10s or 100’s of millions of dollars are the same charities that have reached out to me asking for clothing and bedding for people,” he said.

“It’s clear to me that the power of a small, grassroots organisations like ours needs to be embraced further.”