Michaela Meade
Hume council has called on the federal government to fund major road upgrades in Mickleham to reduce the impact of the new quarantine hub on the community.
The hub, which is under construction on Donnybrook Road, is set to open with an initial 500 beds by the end of the year, with an additional 500 beds to be operational next year.
It will be known as the Centre for National Resilience, Melbourne.
Cr Haweil wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week calling for the federal government to fund the duplication of Mickleham Road, the electrification of the train line to Wallan, the construction of a half diamond Hume Freeway interchange south of the Donnybrook Road interchange, and the extension of Polaris Road.
“Not only will this infrastructure investment ensure the centre has a long-lasting legacy, it will also recognise the legitimate concerns of a community that is doing the heavy lifting to help Australia reopen its borders and put an end to recurrent lockdowns,” Cr Haweil wrote.
It comes as COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV) moved to reassure the community that the virus wouldn’t leak out of the hub into the community.
During an online community information session last week, CQV executive director Abigail Trewin, who previously worked at the Howard Springs quarantine facility in the Northern Territory, said staff would be tested for the virus daily.
She said a buddy system would also be established to ensure personal protective equipment is worn correctly, and staff will work in “confined groups” to minimise potential spread.
Centre for National Resilience program director Chris Keating said while there had been no community consultation on the hub, he wanted to reassure the community the project had been given proper thought.
“The assurance I want to give… [is] we deeply considered the importance of the location,” he said.
“We are really confident that this location will work really well, and that impact on immediate residents can be managed really effectively.”
Project director Kylie Dennis said 80 per cent of construction would occur offsite.
“The main truck routes will be via the Hume Freeway, utilising Donnybrook Road and Polaris Road,” Ms Dennis said.
Global construction company Multiplex was selected to build the facility late last month.
Multiplex senior project manager Josh Caldow said locals looking for a job in the construction stage of the hub could do so via www.buyingfor.vic.gov.au or by emailing cfnrmelb@multiplex.global
Project updates: www.vic.gov.au/victorian-quarantine-hub
