Toowoomba quarantine hub proposal still in limbo as politicians exchange words over planned facility at Wellcamp

Politicians across all three levels of government have weighed in on what’s holding up the proposed Toowoomba quarantine hub.

Minister Steven Miles. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

The future of a proposed quarantine hub just outside Toowoomba remains in limbo, with both the State and Federal Governments exchanging words on what exactly is holding up the project.

The controversial plan, devised by Wagner Corporation at the request of the Queensland Government, would allow international travellers to fly into Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and be immediately taken the facility without any community contact.

While it has earned some pushback from certain residents, most notably property developer Clive Berghofer, it is understood the State Government wants to proceed with the concept as soon as possible.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Groom MP Garth Hamilton exchanged comments over the concept of a national quarantine facility, after the former accused the Federal Government of blocking the process.

“The fact that we have nine new cases today in hotel quarantine today highlights the ongoing risk of returning travellers, bringing back new strains right across the world,” Mr Miles told the media.

“We would not be facing risks like this if the Morrisson Government had engaged with us on the construction of a national quarantine facility.”

In response, Mr Hamilton said the State Government was trying to deflect on the issue.

“This is an attempt by the Premier to shift blame for her government’s inability to manage COVID risks in hospitals and hotel quarantine,” he said.

“After more than nine weeks, the Premier has had adequate chance to provide detail on her plan for a quarantine facility, and she’s failed to do so.

I make no apologies for taking a strong stance to keep Toowoomba region safe.”

Toowoomba Mayor Paul, who said local government had no role to play in the hub’s development, said he would like to see a change to how quarantining was currently done.

“When I look at things, with immunisation now available, would it not be in the interests of the federal government that, for the people coming in, they be immunised and cleared before they come into the country?” he said.

“The people currently infected in Queensland are principally from overseas.

“I think we’ve got to do things differently, the numbers who have COVID-19 are mostly overseas travellers — there has to be a better solution and there is room with improvement.”

Originally published as Toowoomba quarantine hub proposal still in limbo as politicians exchange words over planned facility at Wellcamp