As the state government attempts to move away from hotel quarantine, a Perth company is proposing a 1000-bed quarantine facility near Mandurah.
Grounded Construction Group, which usually builds accommodation for mine sites, is finalising a proposal to the state government.
This comes following WA's snap lockdown in April after COVID-19 leaked out of hotel quarantine.
In a press conference, Premier Mark McGowan called on the federal government to provide more effective quarantine options.
"CBD hotel quarantine is not fit for purpose," he said.
"I have been calling for commonwealth assistance for hotel quarantine for months now.
"I'm getting to the end of my tether."
Murray-Wellington MP Robyn Clarke held a similar sentiment.
"Quarantine is a federal government responsibility and they have range of existing facilities which could be used to quarantine returning Australians," she said.
"The Premier has repeatedly asked the federal government to make one of these facilities available for this purpose, but they have declined to do this.
"Our hotel quarantine program has had 45,000 people through it over the last year or so and there have been relatively few outbreaks. The system has been very effective - but it isn't perfect.
"The state government has recently established a Quarantine Advisory Panel to look at proposals and options to determine how we can maximise the effectiveness of our quarantine arrangements."
Grounded Construction Group project estimator Courtney Graham told the ABC the quarantine hub could offer a safer solution.
"For something of this scale, pending government approvals and development approvals, anywhere between eight and 12 months, you could have this thing up and running," Mr Graham said.
If approved, the facility is estimated to cost anywhere from $80 to $200 million.
Shire of Murray president David Bolt said he was yet to see a formal planning application.
"We haven't seen any application for it so until we see that we don't know enough about it to make any judgement," he said.
"It's proposed in a land area that's zoned not for that purpose. It's been zoned as a commercial industrial area.
"The quarantine facility is something the government would have to decide if they want to go ahead with it."
What are your thoughts on a possible quarantine facility close to Mandurah? Email editor@mandurahmail.com.au
