Michaela Meade
Mickleham will become the home of Victoria’s purpose-built quarantine facility.
In a letter to Acting Premier James Merlino, seen by Star Weekly, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government had determined that commonwealth land on Donnybrook Road was the best site for the facility.
The government was also considering building the quarantine hub at Avalon Airport.
In the letter, Mr Morrison said that the Mickleham quarantine hub will initially compromise 1000 beds but will open once the first 500 beds are available.
“I have asked my officials to prioritise this project and I want to see that all efforts are made to deliver the first stages of the facility by the end of 2021.”
The site, which houses a federal government-run post entry quarantine facility for animals, was announced as the state government’s preferred location for a quarantine facility for returned travellers in late April.
At the time, Mr Merlino said the state government was also open to the facility being built at Avalon Airport but believed it could be built “at a faster rate” at Mickleham.
Update: Health Minister Martin Foley said he embraced the federal government’s “late but welcomed” decision.
“It would have been ideal 12 months ago,” he said.
“Hotels are designed for tourists, they are not designed for quarantining, despite every effort [the states] have made to make them safe.
“We are sure we will be infinitely safer [with the hub].
“[The aim of the facility is for] Victoria’s risks to be minimised, by high risk groups having a dedicated, standalone facility, such as what Victoria has been advocating for.”
Mr Foley said he understood there was a level of local concern in Mickleham.
“I’m sure we’ll work through [the concerns],” he said.
“This virus does not make distinctions between where you live.”
More to come.
