Wickham Point Detention Centre ruled out as coronavirus quarantine site ‘without anybody inspecting it’, says owner Foxy Robinson

THE owner of Darwin’s Wickham Point Detention Centre says the facility was ruled out as a possible site for quarantining coronavirus evacuees without anybody bothering to inspect it

One of the pools and accommodation blocks at John ‘Foxy’ Robinson’s Wickham Point facility. Picture: Che Chorley

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IT has 1500 rooms, three medical centres, recreation facilities, a commercial kitchen – and it’s more than 20km from the nearest school.

But the owner of Darwin’s Wickham Point Detention Centre says the facility was ruled out as a possible site for quarantining coronavirus evacuees without anybody bothering to inspect it.

Wickham Point Developments director John “Foxy” Robinson is now demanding a senior health official withdraw comments that the facility is “uninhabitable”.

One of the accommodation blocks at the Wickham Point facility pictured on Tuesday. All photos above and below were taken on Tuesday. Picture: Che Chorley

NT acting chief health officer Di Stephens made the comments while addressing parents from the Good Shepard Lutheran College.

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The school is right next to the former Inpex workers’ village in Howard Springs where 266 people who returned from China have been quarantined, and many parents are furious at the decision to house the evacuees at the site.

At a meeting on Monday, the parents asked why the isolated Wickham Point facility wasn’t being used when one suggested it was the “perfect spot”.

The interior cafe and mess hall at the Wickham Point facility. Picture: Che Chorley

Professor Stephens replied: “Yeah but the accommodation facility is not habitable and not suitable for quarantine purposes. Don’t worry, we’ve looked at it.”

When asked who had made the decision and if it was because Wickham Point was privately owned, Professor Stephens said: “It’s got nothing to do with being privately owned. We were looking at facilities that were suitable and humane for people to stay in for two weeks and that facility was not felt to be …”

The gym at the Wickham Point facility. Picture: Che Chorley

But, on Tuesday night, Professor Stephens conceded: “The decision to use the Howard Springs Facility was a federal one and based on it being the most suitable facility that could be stood up in the short time frame.

“I regret my choice of words in explaining that.”

Mr Robinson said Professor Stephens’ comments were “misleading in the extreme.”

He said the facility had last been used in November and was ready and equipped to receive evacuees.

“The accommodation village is made up of 1500 rooms over three separate facilities of which each can operate independently,” he said.

One of the rooms at the Wickham Point facility. Picture: Che Chorley

“The property also has three separate medical facilities including a medical separation area, recreation facilities, extensive administration facilities, commercial kitchen and dining.”

The nearest homes and school are at the suburb of Rosebery, more than 20km away.

Wickham Point Developments has been locked in a lengthy legal battle with the Commonwealth.

The company is suing for damages saying the Federal Government prematurely ended an agreement to house asylum seekers at Wickham Point after the last detainees were removed in 2016.

One of three taverns at the Wickham Point facility. Picture: Che Chorley

It was later revealed Australian Border Force left dozens of confidential documents including personal medical records and incident reports strewn across the centre’s offices for months after vacating the premises.

Mr Robinson said he was not concerned the Wickham Point facility had been rejected as a quarantine site but said Professor Stephens should retract her commends “to avoid any unwarranted reputational harm to the property”.

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“Again, we reiterate it is habitable, available for occupation and in very good condition.”

The NT Health Department and Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt have been contacted for comment.