The Toowoomba community’s reaction to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s quarantine hub plan has been mixed
For the Toowoomba community, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing the Garden City could become the site of a quarantine hub hit like a bolt out of the blue. Here’s what people had to say:
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THE Garden City’s reaction to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s idea of establishing a quarantine hub has been mixed.
Responding to a Chronicle Facebook poll, some 1500 people said the proposal was not a good idea, while just a shade over 100 were supportive of it.
Details on what the quarantine hub for returning travellers would look like are practically non-existent, though any plan for Toowoomba would obviously involve the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, which has international capabilities.
The Wagner family, which owns the airport, could not comment on discussions it was having with the State Government, with John Wagner saying the matter was currently “commercial in confidence”.
On Friday, the Premier’s Office was unable to provide more information on the proposal.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would be providing a detailed proposal to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Chronicle readers had a lot to say on the subject.
Kaye Schofield said: “No way, we are virus free and should remain that way. Better to choose an isolated area to use for a quarantine hub … far away from highly populated regions!”
Kelvin Schmidt said the plan should “absolutely not” go ahead.
“It’s scandalous. They are supposed to quarantine at point of entry. She’s just wanting to export the issue to Toowoomba. Fix the quarantine leaks! Don’t just send the “problem” elsewhere.”
Annie Jones agreed with the idea of returning Australians through Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport but didn’t want them quarantining locally.
“I prefer the mining camp idea for their two weeks quarantine. I don’t think the overseas travellers should be quarantined in a town or city.”
Hume Rendle-Short said “why not?”
“It ticks a lot of boxes. Maybe not all. That is a balancing act the people making the decision will have to weigh up. Lets not be a Not In My Back Yard mob,” he wrote.
“I have a close friend who is stuck in the UK and desperate to come home. People have to come into the country. What is the safest way?”
Others like Robyn Behrendt were disappointed.
“What are you thinking Woman? I support you for the way you have protected Queensland, but this sings disaster.”
Levi Leonard was flabbergasted.
“WTF it’s not April’s Fools day yet.”
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Originally published as The Toowoomba community’s reaction to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s quarantine hub plan has been mixed
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