Victorian floods: Mickleham quarantine facility to house displaced people

Daniel Andrews says “three or four people” from flood areas are using the Mickleham quarantine facility. That’s news to workers on site.

Those who have lost homes or power in the floods are being offered accommodation at the Mickleham quarantine facility.

The Mickleham quarantine facility, which has been repurposed to house flood victims, was set to welcome its first residents on Tuesday night.

The centre’s management on Tuesday afternoon told the Herald Sun that no one had turned up yet, despite Premier Daniel Andrews earlier stating that “a handful” of people had arrived.

It’s understood up to 10 people were due to arrive on Tuesday night.

Mr Andrews said “a number of others” had expressed an interest to move onsite.

Daniel Andrews at the State Control Centre. Picture: Aaron Francis

Workers on the site who spoke to the Herald Sun were not sure how many people to expect but had not been notified of anyone set to arrive as of Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s a really challenging decision for people to make to move away from their local community,” Mr Andrews said.

“We are not compelling people to go there or anything like that – it’s a choice.

“It will work for some and not for everybody. It’s a tool that’s available.”

Mr Andrews said hundreds of people had already been placed in serviced apartments, while organisations that run school camps had reached out to offer a place to stay.

“We’re using every accommodation option we possibly can,” he said.

The federal government has offered up 250 beds which could rise to 500 if needed.

The $580m quarantine hub, which was closed two weeks ago, was reopened by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as an emergency accommodation centre for flood victims.