And where in NSW are we building this town capable of housing 6,000+ in a Covid safe manner? Then there is the workers required each day. Obviously they need to get in/ out. Probably another couple of thousand there too.
There's about 12,000 spaces in quarantine needed at any one time. Howard Springs can take care of 1/6th of that number. The rest would have to be temporary, military bases, mining camps, detention facilities, dongers on the outskirts of cities etc. Doesn't necessarily need to be proportioned by state as it would be a Federal Government responsibility. Would it cost money? Yes, but if we get more outbreaks especially coming into this winter it'll cost more.
Experts have been calling for an end to hotel quarantine since last year. Probably too late for more purpose built facilities before winter.
I just fear that with the bungled vaccine rollout the time taken to herd immunity and an end to the disruptions has increased, so better take better care of returnees in the meantime.