Queensland government working to determine future use of Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre

With rental vacancies in Toowoomba at 0.4 per cent, and a charity handing out tents to people without stable accommodation, the state government is still trying to determine a ‘future use’ for their mothballed Wellcamp accommodation facility.

The Queensland Government is still trying to figure out how it can put their Wellcamp quarantine facility to use as the region’s homelessness and housing crisis continues to grow.

The 1000-bed Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre, which was completed in April, was purpose built to house people requiring to quarantine as part of Covid-19 restrictions.

However it has largely sat empty since August 1 when it stopped hosting guests for quarantine and isolation and was placed in care and maintenance.

Only a fraction of its capacity was ever used, with 713 people quarantining or isolating in the five months of operation.

The sun will set on the Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre at Wellcamp when it closes. Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

With the facility estimated as costing more than $237 million to build, lease and operate, the state government is still trying to determine what the facility could be used for.

“The department continues to work with other government agencies on determining future use of the Queensland Regional Accommodation Centre,” a spokesperson for the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning said.

“All available short-term accommodation options remain under consideration, should they meet the varying needs of households requiring temporary accommodation.”

Kevin Mercer CEO St Vincent de Paul Qld, posing at the CEO Sleepout, at the Power House New Farm, Thursday, June 20, 2019. (AAP Image/Steve Pohlner)

It comes as Queensland St Vinnies chief executive Kevin Mercer said their organisation has been reduced to handing out tents to people struggling with homelessness across the state, including in Toowoomba, Roma and Warwick.

“It’s better than sleeping on the street and uncovered but it’s not the right response,” he said, adding that St Vinnies volunteers felt the “anguish” of being forced to provide the emergency option.

“It’s working people who have been displaced out of their homes because they can’t afford the rent increase or the landlord sold the property,” Mr Mercer said.

“They’re working in that community; living in that community; kids go to school in that community, but there’s no living options.”

Grant Simpson, CEO Lifeline Darling Downs & South West QLD at the Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest 2022. Saturday, March 5, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Citing Queensland Council of Social Service data, Lifeline Darling Downs chief executive Grant Simpson said rental vacancy rates had declined in Toowoomba to 0.4 per cent, leading to a near 50 per cent rise in homelessness over the past three years.

“That’s a phenomenal increase (in homeless people),” he said.

“If you go out further west in Queensland in remote and very remote areas, it exponentially increases out there even more.

“It’s just a very significant issue that seems to be increasing and there doesn’t seem to be a short-term solution to alleviate it.”