The Brisbane Lord Mayor has committed $1 million to relocating people living in the city's parks to the empty $400 million COVID quarantine centre at Pinkenba, but has not spoken to the federal government who own the facility.
The ABC understands the federal government is frustrated the mayor has broached the concept of the facility in north-east Brisbane being used through the media.
"The federal government is prepared to work with the Queensland state government and the Brisbane City Council on this issue, but we have not received a formal request for the council or the state government to date. If a formal approach is made we will do what we can to work together on this issue," a spokesperson for Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said.
Cr Adrian Schrinner said the council is working towards an agreement with the state.
"We're happy to work with the state government to put a proposal together. I'll be meeting with the minister for housing Leeanne Enoch next week. We've locked that in," he said.
Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said she understands the meetings are going ahead next week, but said the state does not own the facility.
"This is a federally owned facility, so it's not something the state government controls," she said.
She underlined the importance of services being involved in any solution.
"Housing needs are often very complex. It's not just a roof over your head. It's also all of those other supports. We'll work with all levels of government to try and find solutions to make sure that we can help vulnerable Queenslanders," Ms Scanlon said.
However, she said that Pinkenba may not make sense as a solution for people sleeping rough around Brisbane.
"Sometimes there's more complexity to these matters. Quarantine facilities are built in a way that they're designed to be away from people and services and so that's why some of these things are more complex than you may originally anticipate," she said.
Cr Schrinner said the facility would provide up to 500 beds for people with "low needs" who have fallen on hard times.
"What I mean by that is there are some people at the moment who literally have jobs, but they're still living in cars and tents. They don't need a high level of support services. They simply need a roof over their heads. Pinkenba would be the appropriate location for that."
Cr Schrinner said the million dollars would go towards laundry services at the facility as well as be stretched to contribute to transport and library services.
"A combination of public transport services like bus services and our council cabs program as well," he said.
"Finally, we'll make sure that the mobile library that we have attends the facility on a regular basis."
How would the facility fit in the system?
The stoush comes as Brisbane grapples with a growing homelessness problem. The homeless population in Queensland has risen by 20 per cent in the past five years and tents are popping up everyday in parks throughout the inner-city.
Karyn Walsh, the CEO of Micah Projects, said the prospect of moving people to Pinkenba isn't without merrit, but needs the input of stakeholders to provide "clarity" around what would be the best steps forward.
"It's a very diverse population, you've got olden men, older women and women and babies or children escaping domestic violence or not having enough money," she said.
"That means every initiative we set up needs clarity about what's its purpose, what's its role in the system we've got now.
"I would support any solution that is feasible and would end up solving the problem.
"With the Lord Mayor, the state government, the homeless services, we need to get together and work to get clarity about what is the best use for Pinkenba, and what are the results."
