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.
âImportantly, what the Victorian government is saying is this is not coming to replace hotel quarantine. This would be there to supplement hotel quarantine. So they see it very much as these two things coming together.
âWeâll keep working together with the Victorian government and when weâre in a position to say more we will.â
However, Mr Pallas contradicted Mr Morrison and said one of the issues the state and federal governments were working through was whether Victoriaâs purpose-built facility would eventually replace CBD hotels.
âWe would say in the long term that would mean shutting down city hotels,â he said. âThe Commonwealth says this is in addition, not in substitution to that service. Thatâs one of the issues we are still trying to work through.â
Michaela Meade
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he “welcomes” the state government’s proposal for a 500-bed COVID-19 quarantine hub in Mickleham.
Last week, Acting Premier James Merlino announced a site on Donnybrook Road was the state government’s preferred location for the hub for returned travellers.
The site is next to the existing federal government-owned Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility.
Construction of the quarantine hub in Mickleham is subject to federal approval and funding. The state government estimates that the facility will cost $200 million to construct.
The state government has provided $15 million to design the hub.
Star Weekly was contacted by many community members who opposed the announcement.
Michaela Meade
A state government proposal for a 500-bed COVID-19 quarantine hub in Mickleham has divided the community.
Last week, Acting Premier James Merlino revealed that a site on Donnybrook Road was the state government’s preferred location for the hub, which will house returned travellers.
The site is next to the existing federal government-owned Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility.
The state government has committed $15 million to design the hub, however its construction is dependent on federal government approval and funding.
The state government said the hub would cost about $200 million to build, with construction to begin in September if federal approval is granted.