Lack of detail over quarantine hub proposal has Toowoomba hoteliers worried about impacts

The viability of a quarantine hub at Wellcamp is under assessment. But the proposal already has hoteliers worried.

The couple behind a “mum and dad” motel operation in Wilsonton are concerned the establishment of a quarantine facility for returned travellers at Wellcamp Airport could negatively impact the region’s accommodation sector.

Beth and Graham Macpherson have operated the Sunray Motor Inn for the past four years.

Mrs Macpherson she was worried a stigma could be attached to Toowoomba if the hub were to go ahead.

Detailing her concerns in a letter to Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio, Mrs Macpherson said the accommodation sector had been through a tough few years, compounded by the hit from COVID-19 restrictions and border closures.

And she said one of the biggest issues she felt was yet to be addressed was around what would happen to the proposed 1000-bed facility once the pandemic was over.

The Macphersons’ concerns were supported by Motel Glenworth co-owner Tony Heckendorf.

‘The association of a location with COVID-19 is bad for business in the accommodation sector – and that’s the bottom line,” he said.

Graham and Beth Macpherson, owners of the Sunray Motel Toowoomba. Monday. 8th Feb 2021 Picture: Nev Madsen

Mrs Macpherson said no matter where a quarantine facility was established, there was always a chance of some sort of breach, which could lead to a lockdown.

Another issue was that a lot of people came in from the country to Toowoomba for medical treatment, and a COVID-19 quarantine hub was something Mrs Macpherson felt could potentially deter them from doing that.

“One of the biggest issues no one has addressed in public is what are the plans for that accommodation afterwards,” she said.

“If that accommodation facility was used for anything after COVID-19 – anything – we’ve already got 54 motels that are struggling.

“Another 1000 beds is going to kill us.”

Despite the idea of a quarantine hub at Wellcamp being made public more than two and a half weeks ago, the proposal is still in its infancy.

The Wagner family have outlined how the facility would work in practice, but the State and Federal Governments are still assessing its viability.

Mr Heckendorf said the Macphersons had highlighted “the complete lack of detail around what’s going on with this thing”.

“Who’s paying for it? How does it get approval? Does it bypass normal council approval processes? What are the operating procedures for the centre? What’s going to happen to it after COVID is not around any longer?” Mr Heckendorf asked.

“The community needs to be consulted and needs to be made aware of everything that’s at stake with this centre.”

Mayor Paul Antonio said what was planned to be built by the Wagner family was a facility “for a very specific purpose”.

“I think the most important thing for us is to get all the facts on the table before we can make any real statement,” he said.

Sunray Motel Toowoomba. Monday. 8th Feb 2021 Picture: Nev Madsen

He said he had met with senior representatives of Toowoomba’s three hospitals yesterday morning and they were all in a similar position.

“I understand very clearly the concern in the community,” Cr Antonio said.

“We’re getting an awful lot of emails and phone calls and texts and messages on Facebook at the moment.

“It’s up to the State and Federal Governments to have that conversation with the community.”

Mr Heckendorf said he understood the greater good needed to be addressed.

“There are literally 40,000 people who are overseas who need to get back into Australia,” he said.

“There has to be some means of providing a quarantine service for them to be repatriated back to Australia, I totally understand that.

“But when these thought bubbles get put up with no detail, you’ve just got to ask the questions and demand the information be provided.”

A spokeswoman for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office said the Queensland and Federal Governments were continuing their detailed assessment of the viability of a regional quarantine facility, “including risk assessments and engagement with key stakeholders”.

“Officials from the Department of Premier and Cabinet have also had several detailed and productive discussions with their counterparts in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on the matter.”