Brisbane’s lord mayor says a disused quarantine facility is ready to be used as crisis accommodation. 

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner was joined by Central Ward representative Vicki Howard and housing industry advocates in a tour of the Pinkenba facilities this week.

The facility has double, single and family rooms, a commercial kitchen that can produce meals for more than 500 people a day, as well as a health and security centre, CCTV and duress alarms and 250 car parks. 

The facility was built with the help of federal funding as a quarantine site for COVID-19, but is no longer needed for that purpose. The city wants it used as emergency accommodation instead. 

“There must be a better use for this facility, rather than $400 million of taxpayer money going into this facility with nothing happening,” Mr Schrinner said.

“I think it'd make an ideal evacuation centre, such as in a flood, bushfire or cyclone.

“There could be wraparound services provided at that facility.

“It also has the potential to be used as a first point of call for people at risk of homelessness. 

“Those living in cars, tents; this would be an option for them.”

Discussions are reportedly underway with state and federal governments, and Mr Schrinner says he feels “positive” that an agreement will be reached on how to use the facility.

In July this year, the Queensland Government announced it had advised the Australian Government it will not require use of the facility at Pinkenba, and urged new uses to be found.