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Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the only way to open the 500-bed Pinkenba site as crisis accommodation is through a state government-led effort.

Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said on Thursday morning she had held conversations with the federal government about the money the state had pledged to modify the site.

“Ultimately,it will be a decision for them,but we are happy to work with them,” Scanlon told ABC Radio Brisbane.

As recently as March,theAlbanese government poured cold water on the proposal,saying the facility,near the city’s airport,would be kept for Defence use and accommodation for any future natural disaster or pandemic.

Reasons given for the opposition included the distance of the 500-bed site from services.

Community housing sector figures have echoed such concerns,along with the amenities available to anyone who might stay in one of the units – which were built for medical quarantine,not emergency housing support.

The state government,too,has asked similar questions about its suitability.

Micah Projects chief executive Karyn Walsh said last month the federal government needed to examine how best to repurpose the centre.

A spokesperson for Finance Minister Katy Gallagher,whose department had responsibility for its construction,said in response:“we will consider any formal detailed proposal from the Queensland government for the future use of the Pinkenba centre”.

Scanlon said the state government’s Pinkenba pledge would come on top of a $64 million package in next week’s budget to “purchase,lease and operate emergency accommodation” in Brisbane.

She said her department was speaking with interested sellers,some of which could be hotels the government was now leasing rooms from – something Walsh has also called for.

Q Shelter executive director Fiona Caniglia said the move was a positive step,but it was now “critically important” for service providers and all three levels of government to design plans for the site.

Schrinner publicly floated the Pinkenba repurposing almost a year ago,as the city grappled with record-low rental availability,homelessness,rising interest rates and high inflation,along with growing pressure on the public housing system.

In comments on Wednesday night,Schrinner said the only way to open the 500-bed site as crisis accommodation was through a state government-led effort.

“Our council is prepared to help,” he said.

– with Tony Moore

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