When Victoria’s dedicated quarantine facility will open

The $200m site will be built in Mickleham, in Melbourne’s north. This is when the first rooms will be ready for travellers to use.

Work on Melbourne’s new $200m quarantine facility will begin in August.

The Herald Sun can reveal that Multiplex was appointed to deliver the 1000-bed, purpose-built facility at Mickleham.

At least 500 beds at the facility, which will be used to supplement existing quarantine arrangements, are expected to be ready by the end of the year.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the new centre would also be used for future emergencies and crises such as bushfires.

A design of how the village-style quarantine facility would look.

How the room’s balconies will look at the quarantine facility.

The development of the facility follows months of discussions over which site to choose.

“This is another step in our ongoing management of the Covid-19 pandemic and increases our ability to continue to safely return travellers into Australia for any ongoing quarantine requirements,” Senator Birmingham said.

The development comes after months of back and forth over a suitable site.

The state government preferred Mickleham, while the federal government wanted a site at Avalon.

However, concerns raised about Avalon included the potential impact on protected wetlands, the presence of toxic chemical PFAS, and the lack of proper sewerage.

It was also understood that Mickleham could be built between three to nine months faster.

It is expected to operate at full capacity next year.