First guests arrive at Qld quarantine camp

Laine Clark | February 5, 2022

The first guests have arrived at Queensland’s regional COVID-19 quarantine facility amid Opposition calls for the state government to reveal how much it has cost taxpayers.

The Wellcamp site, west of Brisbane, threw out the welcome mat for about 10 unvaccinated international arrivals on Saturday with Deputy Premier Steve Miles expecting that number to increase in coming weeks.

The facility’s 500-bed opening stage was completed last month after wet weather delayed its construction.

The rest of the 1000-bed centre is expected to be unveiled by April.

“This is day one. I know staff there are very keen to get their first guests in,” Mr Miles said.

“But we are keen to start small and build upwards from there so that we can test our systems, make sure that everything the staff needs are there to take care of those guests.

“We expect more people over coming weeks.”

The federal government rejected the Wellcamp site, saying it failed to meet “key requirements” and instead pursued plans for its own 1000-bed quarantine facility at Pinkenba, near Brisbane Airport.

The state government pushed on with the facility near Toowoomba, signing a one year lease with Wagner Corporation with an option to extend it.

Mr Miles has said that the deal “represents good value” but has not revealed details.

“As indicated this is a lease arrangement and they are generally considered commercial in confidence,” he said.

The Liberal National Party said the state government owed it to the taxpayer to reveal the facility’s cost.

“We’ve been saying all the way through this … speak to us about the cost, why the secrecy?” Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki said on Saturday.

“But we have been denied those requests. What we have seen … is a deal of secrecy that in no way shape or form is in the best interests of the taxpayer.

“The taxpayer wants to know how much it costs and what it will be used for.”

The facility was expected to cater for not only unvaccinated travellers who need to quarantine but also people who can’t isolate at home.

But Mr Miles said the quarantine centre’s role may change in future.

“I have no doubt that there will be an ongoing need for accommodation and that need might change,” he said.

“Right now we have a number of unvaccinated arrivals, we have people coming from countries whose vaccination programs aren’t recognised by our TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).

“And we have maritime arrivals, we have ag (agriculture) workers who have to quarantine before going on to farms. There is significant demand.”