Brisbane City Council will today lodge a motion calling for the State and Federal Governments to open the city’s abandoned quarantine facility, Pinkenba, to the city’s growing homeless population.
In a statement this morning, Lord Mayor Schrinner said the State and Federal governments were, “Out of time. And out of excuses…Enough is enough.”
“Issues like homelessness should be above politics and I hope all councillors will support this important cause,” he said.
“The idle Pinkenba Quarantine Facility must be opened to help tackle the scourge of homelessness.”
The Lord Mayor said people were being forced to sleep rough in locations and numbers that had never been seen before across Brisbane.
“It’s obvious that the current housing crisis is forcing more and more people, including women and children, onto Brisbane’s streets.”
“People living in cars and tents isn’t a solution. It’s giving up.”
The Lord Mayor said the Pinkenba Facility was paid for by taxpayers and they deserved to have their significant investment put to good use.
“It’s simply absurd for the Federal Government to say it will allow for the facility to be used for emergency accommodation in a future natural disaster but not during the current housing disaster,” he said.
“The State and Federal governments need to work together to engage an experienced housing provider to get Pinkenba opened quickly.
“Our Council stands ready to offer whatever services we can, like our buses, mobile library and Council cabs.”
Last month, the Federal Government resolved to retain the $400 million centre in the industrial suburb of Pinkenba for use by the Australian Defence Force and as accommodation in any future natural disaster or pandemic.