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Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says the driving factor for choosing Mickleham over Avalon as a quarantine site was the timeframe.
The federal government has confirmed a 1,000 bed alternative quarantine facility will be built at Mickleham in Melbourne’s north.
This follows extensive discussions between both the state and federal governments.
“In terms of getting things done as quickly as possible, Mickleham provides the best possible prospect of doing so,” Mr Birmingham told Sky News.
“There are fewer environmental considerations in relation to getting approvals through the Mickleham site.
“There is better, closer infrastructure particularly around sewage management compared with Avalon.”
The Federal government has selected a location in Victoria for a $200 million dedicated quarantine facility which will eventually hold 1,000 beds.
The facility will be built in Mickleham, north of Melbourne, with Finance Minister Simon Birmingham saying it was chosen over the Avalon Airport site due to its proximity to existing infrastructure.
“Fewer environmental considerations in relation to getting approvals, better, closer infrastructure particularly around sewerage management," Mr Birmingham said.
“They’re real considerations the government has to make - if we’re to do this, we want to make sure we do it as quickly as we possibly can.”
The Commonwealth government will be responsible for the building and funding of the facility and plans for its completion by the end of the year.
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