On Wednesday, it was revealed the government’s total spend on the facility exceeded $220 million: $150 million for the lease, $9 million on management costs, and $16 million on medical services.
The state government had previously denied requests to reveal the costs of the quarantine centre, citing confidentiality of commercial arrangements.
Four residents are currently occupying the centre, and a total of 730 residents passed through since its completion in February this year, costing the government around $330,000 per person.
However, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the cost “pales in comparison to other quarantine facilities”.
“It also pales in comparison to the implication of lockdowns and harder restrictions on businesses,” he said.
“We couldn’t have made any other choice.”
The government’s Wellcamp lease will finish in April next year.
It will not be used from August 1 following advice from Queensland Health.
“We’ll consider other uses for the remainder of the QRAC lease,” Miles said.
“The facility will continue to be available in case the pandemic settings change.”
The state government also declared the 500-bed Pinkenba quarantine facility, which is being built with federal authorities, is no longer needed.
Costs for the taxpayer-funded centre are estimated at around $400 million.
Many have suggested the Wellcamp and Pinkenba facilities should be used to relieve pressure on the social housing sector, providing accommodation to those fleeing domestic violence or the tens of thousands of Queenslanders at risk of homelessness.
“Any supply we can get right now is needed, no one wants to be dressing their kids for school in a car,” Teresa Reed from The Forgotten Women said.
Brisbane’s lord mayor Adrian Schrinner also called on the state government to put the quarantine facilities to use.
“We should be doing better,” he said.
“If there are rooves that are available, beds that are available, we should use them.”
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