Toowoomba Chamber says it expects infrastructure commitments if quarantine hub goes ahead
The Toowoomba Chamber says that if a quarantine hub for returning travellers is established at Wellcamp, it should come with funding commitments.
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The Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce says it expects the State and Federal Government to bring forward a range of infrastructure or investment commitments if a proposal for a quarantine hub at Wellcamp Airport goes ahead.
Chamber CEO Todd Rohl said the chamber board did not have a position on whether or not the proposed 1000 room quarantine hub for returned travellers at Wellcamp Airport should proceed.
But he said that if it was approved, the chamber expected the Toowoomba region to receive something from the State or Federal Governments in return.
Mr Rohl suggested increased health services or other budget commitments, such as the fast rail project, or fast-tracking Inland Rail, increasing black spot funding, or building a stadium in Toowoomba as possibilities.
“Any of those things which have been on the wishlist from the chamber and others in the region for a long time,” he said.
“What are the benefits or what is the region going to get in return for supporting the nation?”
It has been a month since the idea of a quarantine hub at Wellcamp Airport was first made public, yet the State and Federal Governments seem no closer to reaching an agreement on the proposal.
Reaction in Toowoomba to the hub, which would be built by the Wagner family, has been mixed.
Philanthropist Clive Berghofer has started a petition calling for the proposal to be scrapped, which a week later has generated 1344 signatures.
Questions remain unanswered around the operation of the facility, and the Federal Government says it is still waiting on a formal proposal.
Mr Rohl said the chamber recognised the issue of a quarantine facility was not just “a Toowoomba issue”.
“It’s not just a state issue. It’s not just a federal issue. It’s a global issue and the context of whatever decision is made is about bringing brothers and sisters and mums and dads and families home to our country.”
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Originally published as Toowoomba Chamber says it expects infrastructure commitments if quarantine hub goes ahead
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