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.
This might await us
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The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number.
This might await us
Sandra Ashton expresses a common response to discussion of issues relating to Australian aged care reform (“Good luck with that”, Letters,
The Sunday Age, 25/4).
One reason the federal government might set wheels in motion to properly address aged care reform is that it is no longer simply a question of paying for “improvements”. The most crucial new recommendation of this royal commission is that Australian aged care needs to become rights-based in favour of the elderly who need it.
Michaela Meade
UPDATE: Hume council says it was not consulted about the construction of a 500-bed quarantine hub in Mickleham.
Mayor Joseph Haweil said: “Hume City Council has requested an urgent meeting with the Victorian Government about its proposal to establish a COVID quarantine facility in Mickleham.
“Council has not been consulted on the proposal prior to today’s announcement and seeks clarification about the ongoing management of the facility to ensure the health and safety of local residents.
“Our community is keen to know what impact a centre of this size and type will have to their health and safety and the amenity of the area.”
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A pet quarantine facility more than 40 kilometres north of Melbourneâs CBD has been announced as the site of Victoriaâs alternative quarantine accommodation for returning overseas travellers.
Acting Premier James Merlino announced Victoria would invest $15 million in design work for a 500-bed quarantine facility on Donnybrook Road in Mickleham. However, the project is dependent on Commonwealth funding and a final decision whether to go ahead would not be made until September, Mr Merlino said.
The Victorian government wants access to Commonwealth land next to a federally run pet quarantine centre on Donnybrook Road to build a new quarantine hub.