Details of Avalon Airport quarantine proposal revealed, plan to install 300 cabins

Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings has revealed how many cabins he envisions being set-up to house returning travellers should the state government give it the green light to host an outdoor quarantine facility.

Avalon Airport is shaping up to be a solution for Victoria’s besieged hotel quarantine system, with state and federal politicians supporting the idea.

Chief executive Justin Giddings said 300 self-contained cabins could be installed across the site’s 2000 spare acres in a few months.

The first cabins could be erected in as little at 30 days once given the green light by the state government.

Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the state government was having discussions about an outdoor quarantine solution.

“(There are) discussions going on with a number of different parties about a number of different sites and no decision has been made,” Mr Andrews said.

“But, some sites with very large amounts of space and an international airport located just next door – that’s obviously got some real strengths.”

Avalon Airport could host a 300-cabin outdoor quarantine facility. Picture: Alison Wynd

The Geelong Advertiser revealed on Monday that Mr Giddings had presented plans to establish a “one stop shop” facility at the airport to the government.

Under the plans, international arrivals would be flown into the airport and processed on the plane before walking to their self contained quarantine cabins.

Workers would be able to live on site.

Mr Giddings said an outdoor coronavirus testing station could be easily set-up with the assistance of the Department of Health.

Victorian opposition leader Michael O’Brien said the Premier must get quarantine right to help the state avoid further lockdowns.

“I will support hotel quarantine that works, that stops this virus getting in the community – I don’t care if it’s in Melbourne (or) if it’s in Avalon,” he said.

Federal deputy opposition leader and Corio MP Richard Marles supported the Avalon model but also urged the federal government to take responsibility for international quarantine.

“The Avalon proposal is a good idea and one that should be worked through thoroughly,” he said.

Corangamite MP Libby Coker said the idea “had merit” but should not put the safety of the community at risk.

“I would welcome the federal government working with the State to discuss the plan as part of their federal quarantine responsibilities,” Ms Coker said.

A spokesman for Health Minister Greg Hunt said: “Each state and territory is responsible for managing the COVID-19 response under its own public health legislation, including quarantine.”

But to date Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been reluctant to pursue regional quarantine facility options saying this could create further risks.

The Halton review of hotel quarantine completed last August recommended a federal facility be established.

A government spokeswoman said the government had responded to this by setting up the Northern Territory’s Howard Springs facility to supplement hotel quarantine.

JETSTAR SET TO MAKE FLIGHT CALL

Jetstar is expected to announce this week whether flights to and from Avalon Airport will be suspended amid coronavirus lockdown.

The budget airline is currently running to and from Sydney and the Gold Coast despite Victorians being barred from travelling.

The Queensland Government on Saturday named Greater Geelong as a coronavirus hot spots, despite the LGA recording no coronavirus cases for months.

Jetstar confirmed it would continue to review flights in and out of Victoria with impacted customers to be contacted directly and offered a range of options.

Customers with bookings to or from Victoria scheduled during the snap five-day lockdown can cancel their trip and receive a voucher to the value of their booking.

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Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings said extra precautions had been taken by the airport and airlines to ensure those that had permission to fly during lockdown could.

He said the airport had not yet been informed of any flight schedule changes by Jetstar.

“I’m assuming the restrictions will ease on Thursday, but that some precautions will be taken,” Mr Giddings said.

“Masks are going to be around for a little longer and limits.”

Mr Giddings said snap lockdown decisions were extremely challenging for the industry which had hoped for a more certain 2021.

Avalon Airport did not have domestic flights for most of 2020 and flights to Sydney were temporarily suspended just a day after starting late last year amid a NSW coronavirus outbreak.

“Passengers just don’t know where to book or to fly – it’s the uncertainty that is the most challenging,” Mr Giddings said.

Originally published as Details of Avalon Airport quarantine proposal revealed, plan to install 300 cabins