Avalon Airport could house outdoor coronavirus quarantine facility

Avalon Airport could be transformed into Victoria’s first outdoor international quarantine facility in just 30 days once given the green light, with the state government revealing it is considering the move.

Avalon Airport could be transformed into Victoria’s first outdoor international quarantine facility in just 30 days, if given the green light by the state government.

The Victorian Government confirmed on Sunday it was “considering” the use of Avalon Airport as a potential quarantine option to house international arrivals.

The airport’s chief executive officer Justin Giddings said preliminary plans to convert the international airport into a self-contained quarantine facility had been informally presented to the state government.

It comes as the federal government looks to triple the capacity of its only self-contained quarantine facility at Howard Springs in the Northern Territory.

Avalon Airport head of operations Andrew Elliott and CEO Justin Giddings. Avalon could host international quarantine within 30 days, Giddings says. Picture: Alison Wynd

Under the plans mooted by Mr Giddings, the airport would become a “one stop shop” facility, with international passengers flown in and processed on the aircraft before being taken to their self contained cabins.

Quarantine staff and health professionals could live on site in cabins situated across the facility’s spare land.

Mr Giddings said he was prepared to have formal discussions with the state or federal government about the model.

“At Avalon Airport the international terminal is very isolated, there is lots of space available to set up a camp and really provide people with the opportunity to be outside,” he said.

“This would be a good long term solution if the state or federal government are keen to progress.”

Qantas and Jetstar planes were grounded at Avalon Airport during the initial lockdown. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mr Giddings said Victoria’s second international airport was the ideal location for such a facility because arrivals could immediately quarantine without having to leave the site.

The rural airport operates on a separate sewerage system and has up to 2000 acres available.

The international terminal is partially outdoors and distinct from the domestic terminal.

“We’ve got the land there, we are fully serviced and we think that we could set it up within or month or two,” he said.

Mr Giddings said the airport had access to suppliers that could provide required infrastructure.

A Victorian Government spokeswoman said: “The Victorian Government continues to examine potential options for quarantine facilities and models and this includes consideration of a range of sites, including Avalon Airport.”

Deakin University epidemiologist Dr Catherine Bennett said linking quarantine to both airfields and hospitals were “two key factors” in developing a successful and low risk quarantine system.

She said the breaches in Melbourne’s hotel quarantine highlighted the risk of housing possibly infectious patients in places with common airspace and having staff mingle with the general community.

Dr Bennett said while development a purpose-built centre could be costly, it was now clear that the vaccine would not remove the need for hotel quarantine.

“With the emerging new variants, there may always be an ongoing role for quarantine,” she said.

The idea is supported by Liberal MP Bev McArthur who urged Premier Daniel Andrews to

“take this offer seriously”.

Geelong-based Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson the states were responsible for quarantine systems, but said Avalon Airport should be considered it its facilities could “improve the standard of quarantine in Victoria”.

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Originally published as Avalon Airport could house outdoor coronavirus quarantine facility