Michaela Meade
The Mickleham community is outraged by a decision to build a COVID-19 quarantine facility in the area.
In a letter to Acting Premier James Merlino, seen by Star Weekly, Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week said the federal government had determined that commonwealth land on Donnybrook Road was the best site for the facility.
But Hume council, traders and residents have slammed the decision, saying it puts the community ‘at risk’.
“I moved to Mickleham to be away from the urban congestion to be safer from COVID-19, not to live in fear of going to my local Coles,” one resident posted on Facebook following the announcement.
“The news… poses many risks,” another resident posted.
“[This] essentially [makes] all my hard work and everyone else’s to build and buy in a reputable area a waste of effort, resources and money.”
Hume mayor Joseph Haweil said he was “disappointed” by the announcement.
“Council again is finding out through the media about developments around the quarantine hub,” he said.
“I’m pragmatic and I understand that a quarantine facility has to go somewhere, but why in one of the fastest growing municipalities in the state?
“An area that is buckling under the pressure of growth, over-crowded arterial roads with not a dollar committed to fix them.
“I’d like the state government to answer whether they will properly duplicate Donnybrook Road and make those commitments if they are truly going to proceed with this project.”
The site, which houses a federal government-run post entry quarantine facility for animals, is close to Merrifield shopping centre, which had several exposure sites in the latest covid outbreak.
Ferguson Plarre franchise owner Todd Agius said he had “conflicting feelings” about the hub being built in Mickleham.
“I’m trying to put a positive spin on it… on one hand, it could generate business, but on the other, you do feel a bit uneasy,” Mr Agius said.
“It’s not really something you want to be close to.”
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.”
Mr Morrison said that the 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.”
