What you said about Pinkenba affordable housing promise

It was the affordable housing promise that is coming at an almighty cost – and many aren’t happy. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

It was the affordable housing promise that is coming at an almighty cost.

It was revealed in January 2024 that the federal government is now considering other candidates to take over the controversial Pinkenba quarantine facility seven months after Queensland’s Housing Minister promised to repurpose it into emergency housing.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon committed $10m to turning the 500-bed site into temporary accommodation in June 2023, but the federal department responsible for the facility, the Department of Finance, is considering leasing options elsewhere.

A spokeswoman for the department said it remained willing to help the state, but ongoing work was still required to “consider possible use cases, including by the Queensland government”.

Pinkenba Quarantine Facility. Source: Brisbane City Council.

In the meantime, the facility would remain in the hands of the Australian Department of Defence, which has been caretaking at the facility, she said.

Queensland’s plans to convert the $400m facility were stalled in 2023 when Treasury revealed it had not received an official proposal from the state requesting to repurpose the site, despite Ms Scanlon insisting she had sent one.

Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher said at the time that the government received only a letter, not a proposal, and that the two levels of government were still in discussions about future uses.

But since November, the state had requested a scope of works outline from the feds, with Ms Scanlon also meeting with members from the department of finance and QShelter at the Pinkenba site.

The Pinkenba Quarantine Facility at the Damascus Barracks in Pinkenba, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Following that meeting a third party was engaged to complete a site report, which will be paid for by Queensland, despite the facility still being under the care of the federal government.

News of the changing plan sparked furious debate among readers.

Some suggested it was evidence of yet another Labor mess.

Others insisted LNP would do no better.

And some, however, said it was time to deliver, regardless of politics.

Read what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Just sort it out

Maxwell

We have two of them vacant, Pinkenba and Wellcamp. The taxpayers paid for both but at least we own Pinkenba.

Just use them and stop the excuses.

Fedup

For crying out loud; we are in the year 2024, let the poor homeless stay in the Pinkenba complex. Get the poor people out of the parks, back streets, and bush tracks in a tent and give them a roof over their heads and worry about the rest later. At least Ms. Scanlon, start with those with children. Isn’t that simply common decency?

Mel

meanwhile people still sleeping in tents!!!

Lyn

Looks like a good facility but not for permanent housing. Ideal for the purpose it was built for.

The Pinkenba Quarantine Facility at the Damascus Barracks in Pinkenba.

Another Labor mess

Henry Root

the alp cannot function to perform normal tasks as none of them ever have performed normal employment tasks!

Peter

When all is said and done, lots is said and nothing is done with labour

Gregory

Labor failing to deliver for Queenslander’s again! Can these guys deliver anything on-time, on-budget or at all?

Frank #2

Typical of Labor, all talk and no action

7 months of Qld Labor and Federal Labor arguing over the operation and management of emergency housing while thousands of Qld people try to exist in tents and cars in public places,

Shame Labor, shame

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon.

No more politics!

P

Qld and federal Labor governments blaming each other. Vote them both out, starting with the George St Soviet in October.

James

Is anyone actually surprised by this?

The current State Government is by far the worst we have ever had. It’s hard to even try to think of positive things anymore.

bye bye next election …. All of you.

John

If it goes in it will be called the pinkenba ghetto within a decade because no one will ever leave. The housing & health ministers are way way out of their depth and knee jerk reactions are their solutions every time.

The Chief 1960

Sounds like an episode from Yes Minister ….

Judith

Totally incompetent labor governments, state and federal.

Big announcements, zero action, zero results.

Buildings already there.

How crazy.

Originally published as What you said about Pinkenba affordable housing promise