ABC Southern Queensland: David Chen
)Plans to quarantine returning overseas travellers in regional Queensland might not be needed if Australia's rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is successful, according to a peak medical body.
The Queensland government wants approval to build a quarantine hub at the Wellcamp Airport, west of Toowoomba, but the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has questioned the need for the facilities if vaccinations prove to be effective.
"If the evidence does come through that [the vaccines] are effective in the prevention of transmission, then we actually will see a lot less need for hotel quarantine," RDAA chief executive Peta Rutherford said.
Construction firm Wagners has proposed building a 1,000-room facility on vacant land at Wellcamp, with plans for about 300 staff to live onsite, as well as COVID-19 testing facilities, kitchens, CCTV and fencing around the perimeter.
Reuters: Gareth Fuller
)Ms Rutherford said the need for quarantine programs would also depend on the number of people who got vaccinated.
But she said it was still worth exploring the Wellcamp proposal if "quarantine arrangements needed to continue for an extended time."
"There's a number of questions that remain unanswered for us. The workforce implications are probably a key," she said.
"Also, the clinical care arrangements are another key area that we have some questions on and would like some further information."
Response needed
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters on Monday her government was still waiting for a response from the Commonwealth.
"We are still firmly of the view that we need an answer from the Prime Minister about whether or not he will allow flights into Toowoomba so we can decide one way or the other if we are going to have this regional quarantine hub in Toowoomba," Ms Palaszczuk said.
A state government spokesperson said the Wellcamp proposal would provide secure quarantine for those arriving from overseas.
The federal government has been contacted for comment.
ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders
)Local resistance
Debate in Toowoomba about the proposal continues, with a petition against the plans receiving more than 1,600 signatures as of March 1.
Philanthropist Clive Berghofer, who started the petition, said people had been stopping him in the supermarket to discuss the petition.
"They just don't want it here. Businesses and hospitals are ringing me. They say, 'We suffered enough in 2020'".
Mr Berghofer said the perception that Toowoomba could be the site of future COVID-19 outbreaks had already affected businesses.
"We're getting cancellations already out of motels," he said.
