Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[N860CR]

Full reopening Saturday unless another mutant mystery case

Thanks. Thought that was the case but it’s been oddly quiet. I’ve got a conference in bris on Saturday evening and some attendees from Mel are fairly important

 

[RAM]

So is the correct term DHA properties??? I'm not into the nuances of Defence. I was trying for a general / colloquial meaning/term for defence forces accommodation (Army, Navy, Air Force, ADF, etc.) that could be vacated/already vacant and quickly made ready for quarantine and near an adequate hospital......

Some time ago (decades now) the decision was made that accomodation should be out-sourced to the private sector as much as possible as that would reduce the required Defence head count. Instead Defence would either sell existing off-base housing they owned. It would be sold with a lease of anywhere from 6 to 20 years (in some cases) together with options for extension. Defence would pay most outgoings & there was (in some of the contracts I've seen) an annual allowance included for maintenance as well as a 'tenancy change' allowance when a family moved out to another location. More recently DHA have charged up to 16% of the gross rent to 'manage' the leased properties for the investors (covers basic maintenance not major like roof replacement etc).

In very remote locations there is a lot of on-base accomodation - but no alternative to move Defence personnel off-base to empty it for 'quarantine'.

In accessible locations in Melbourne or Sydney - Defence started selling off (sub-dividing) land at existing bases. Some bases were shut totally and became developer's dreams. This process was re-thought when one such part sale of land from an on-going base saw the developer's Annual Report mention they'd made 8 times the cost of acquiring the land from Defence.

Re-thought but not stopped.

Equally though at one site in Randwick, Defence decided to try and get the development profits for themselves and drew up plans for an 8 storey high rise on top of their diesel storage tanks & 'breakdowns' sheds. As it is Federal Land it only was found out by accident when during a committee hearing on Defence spending of internal (Australian travel) costs they were asked about why there'd been dozens of one or two day trips to Sydney over the previous 3 months including overnight accomodation at an expensive Sydney hotel. Subsequently I pointed out that it could not be built as it was directly under the flight path for the E/W runway & prohibited by the 'Benelong Funnel' legislation introduced by John Howard.

Using existing on base housing

There may be some locations where the housing is modern, and 'safe' from a virus perspective. Most would not come close.

Stock of DHA housing (under lease predominantly) - mostly off-base

As this excerpt from a Parliamentary report details:

The majority of DHA’s properties are detached three or four bedroom service residences, known as the Members with Dependants (MWD) portfolio. However, DHA noted in 2015 that ‘46 percent of [defence] families we accommodate have no children and 18 per cent have one child under four years of age’. Around 500 are 5+ bedroom.

Of the 18,024 properties managed by DHA as of 30 June 2020 - 16,386 were Rent Band Choice housing (RBCH). These properties are generally inner city apartments and townhouses.

"At a minimum, service residences generally comprise three to four bedrooms, separate lounge and dining areas, kitchen, laundry, bathroom, ensuite, single garage (or carport in the Northern Territory) and a 35 square metre backyard (or 25 square metre backyard in Sydney). Where newly constructed, service residences must achieve a minimum six star energy efficiency rating (EER)."

So, not really hundreds let alone thousands of suitable Defence accomodation rooms in existance let alone available.

Most recent multi-unit development - "Comprising 152 apartments offering a mix of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments and terraces, Arkadia Apartments brings spacious living to life". Located in Alexandria (Sydney) = off-base.
__________________________________________

Perhaps this is why the Federal Govt pushed the quarantine onto the States - they had nothing available and would require some major spending. Remember this was back when the Fed Govt still held out hope of a surplus.

BTW - since the late 1970s the various Federal Govts closed down (& sold off) virtually all previously existing Federal quarantine facilities.

The last (I think) was at North Head (Sydney) when a deal was done with Bob Carr leading into an expected tight State Election. In exchange for not honouring his commitment (in writing) to his electorate over the Randwick Defence Site (to this day believed to be the most contaminated site in Australia as per Federal Inquiry complete with Agent Orange dumped around 18 locations within it - evidence from storemen, mustard gas etc etc) then the Feds gave him North Head.

 

[Gremlin]

So were you a close contact of a Avalon positive and not called within 48 hours? Dr Chant consistently quoted as 48 hour metric met for close contacts. Or did your own state restrict your movements?

Except for NNB you could travel into SNB for xmas eve, xmas day and boxing day (SNB couldnt leave NB).

NSW border was open, NSW always stays as open as possible (border only closed once and that was to Vic only after they started exceeding 100 cases a day), it was other states who closed border to whole state or whole of greater Sydney their choice but not NSW contract tracers fault.

Not sure why that makes the post you quoted which was about the latest Vic cluster incorrect? Do you have a source for NSW exceeding 48hrs for close contacts this year? Or that they didnt contract all air arrivals from MEL as zdr Chwnt said?

The automated SMS for casuals is only possible since Service NSW app was mandated.

Family in Bilgola (NNB), so couldn't travel there for Christmas and they couldn't leave.

A couple of family members were both close contacts of the same Avalon positive. One was contacted roughly 18 hours after the positive result and told to isolate. The other, knowing that they were also a close contact of the same person, proactively reached out to NSW Health after several days because they hadn't been reached. Mistakes are made. No one is perfect.

 

[jakeseven7]

Thanks. Thought that was the case but it’s been oddly quiet. I’ve got a conference in bris on Saturday evening and some attendees from Mel are fairly important

Yes it has been quiet I guess they are too busy dealing with the QLD vaccine stuff up and media around it probably.....?

It was said many times previously though reopening on Sat 27 as long as no unlinked mystery cases (of which there have been none since Blackrock cluster seeded from Sydney outbreak...). I'm not sure what TIME on Saturday though for your travellers......

 

[Gremlin]

I can now say this openly as it's been acknowledged by Greg Hunt.

The doctor who administered the overdose was NOT properly trained.

 

[RAM]

Whatever the issue is with shipping I hope it all gets resolved soon. We have been waiting over 3 months for our shipment from the US and with winter fast approaching in Canberra it would be nice to haver some warmer options in the clothing department. Also IKEA has been out of so many things for ages obviously due to the slow down in shipping. It will be nice to be able to get the pieces needed without making multiple trips.

Has anyone seen anything recently about the thousands of cruise ship (lowly paid or not paid anything) crews marooned off various ports around the world?

Pre-Xmas it seemed bizarre to see adverts for 2021 cruises on TV here meanwhile the same cruise lines still have crews stranded.

Then add in the cargo ships (which may explain the shipping delays).

Stranded at sea: the humanitarian crisis that's left 400,000 ...​

theconversation.com › stranded-at-sea-the-humanitarian...


7 Dec 2020 — In early 2020, stranded cruise ships became a stark symbol of the COVID-19 global ... Some crew have now been at sea for 18 months.

 

[Lynda2475]

‘We are not paying that bill’: Queensland holds PM to ransom for quarantine hub

Queensland will refuse to cough up $30 million it owes NSW until the federal government approves a quarantine mega-hub near Toowoomba.

www.smh.com.au

Not sure how Qld think withholding money they owe NSW is going to force ScoMo to do anything. NsW should just send in debt collectors if bill not paid.

 

[Lynda2475]

Premier relaxes wedding and gym restrictions in a ‘new COVID normal’ way

Dancing and singing will be allowed again at wedding receptions across Greater Sydney from Friday following a record 38 days of zero local COVID-19 transmissions.

www.smh.com.au

 

[nutwood]

I did wonder that too.

Post automatically merged: Feb 24, 2021

As of Friday night SA border completely open. No tests required. Made it by a week with our first business trip to Melbourne in a year next Thursday week.

Does this mean that incoming Pax no longer do the long walk to obtain an entry ticket?
Mind you, although I've resented the pointless walk (sometimes direct, sometimes zig-zag), I've respected SA's system, where every incoming Pax is scrutinised. It does make sense and it's been consistent since day one. Unlike some other states where it's AR15's one trip and open slather the next!

 

[stryker]

Has anyone seen anything recently about the thousands of cruise ship (lowly paid or not paid anything) crews marooned off various ports around the world?

Pre-Xmas it seemed bizarre to see adverts for 2021 cruises on TV here meanwhile the same cruise lines still have crews stranded.

Then add in the cargo ships (which may explain the shipping delays).

Stranded at sea: the humanitarian crisis that's left 400,000 ...​

theconversation.com › stranded-at-sea-the-humanitarian...


7 Dec 2020 — In early 2020, stranded cruise ships became a stark symbol of the COVID-19 global ... Some crew have now been at sea for 18 months.

Does anyone care?

I might, but anyone else?

 

[Pushka]

Does this mean that incoming Pax no longer do the long walk to obtain an entry ticket?
Mind you, although I've resented the pointless walk (sometimes direct, sometimes zig-zag), I've respected SA's system, where every incoming Pax is scrutinised. It does make sense and it's been consistent since day one. Unlike some other states where it's AR15's one trip and open slather the next!

I suspect not. Should be wound down I’d hope. Yay. Police can do policing. You do for the moment need to get an online permit.

Post automatically merged: Feb 24, 2021

Does anyone care?

I might, but anyone else?

I think they are already gearing up again.

 

[Lynda2475]

And just when it was starting to look safe something else to worry about

Expert says no cause for 'huge alarm' after flesh-eating bacteria found in inner Melbourne suburbs

Health authorities detect cases of the Buruli ulcer in Essendon, Moonee Ponds and Brunswick West, but an expert says the risk of getting it is low and there are good treatments for the illness.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Pushka]

And just when it was starting to look safe something else to worry about

Expert says no cause for 'huge alarm' after flesh-eating bacteria found in inner Melbourne suburbs

Health authorities detect cases of the Buruli ulcer in Essendon, Moonee Ponds and Brunswick West, but an expert says the risk of getting it is low and there are good treatments for the illness.

www.abc.net.au

The media are primed now, to make us panic. And we are primed to react. They know it sells Clicks. I'd suggest that anyone who works in Public Hospitals could tell stories of infections that have always existed that would make us panic at the thought of going to hospital but never bothered to report.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The media are primed now, to make us panic. And we are primed to react. They know it sells Clicks. I'd suggest that anyone who works in Public Hospitals could tell stories of infections that have always existed that would make us panic at the thought of going to hospital but never bothered to report.

Indeed.

My daughter works in a Respiratory and Infectious Diseases Ward.

She has sick and die-ing patients every week from a multitude of different diseases and will be still doffing and donning PPE long after many have forgotten what PPE stands for.

 

[Lynda2475]

Vic following Queensland and reintroducing 14 days HQ for NZ arrivals, but Vic isnt taking any international arrivals anyway so seems like a pointless announcement.

To enforce it Qld and Vic would need to check all flights and cars coming in from NSW who is allowing NZ arrivals without HQ unless they have been in a venue of concern. Of course they wont have man power to police it.

 

[nutwood]

Vic following Queensland and reintroducing 14 days HQ for NZ arrivals, but Vic isnt taking any international arrivals anyway so seems like a pointless announcement.

To enforce it they Qld and Vic would need to check all flights and cars coming in from NSW who is allowing NZ arrivals without HQ unless they have been in a venue of concern. Of course they wont have man power to police it.

If Vic continue to use their border entry forms, entrants to the State will either have to lie or state that they've been in NZ. If they lie and contract COVID, no doubt the sky will fall on them from a great height.
Of course, this could be highly counterproductive as it would encourage people with mild symptoms to not get tested because they knew they'd lied on the form.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Vic following Queensland and reintroducing 14 days HQ for NZ arrivals, but Vic isnt taking any international arrivals anyway so seems like a pointless announcement.

To enforce it Qld and Vic would need to check all flights and cars coming in from NSW who is allowing NZ arrivals without HQ unless they have been in a venue of concern. Of course they wont have man power to police it.

I thought NSW is quarantining Auckland arrivals.

 

[Anna]

As of Friday night SA border completely open. No tests required.

Could this, I wonder, have anything to do with the imminent start of SA's showcase month, Mad March?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I thought NSW is quarantining Auckland arrivals.

Correct they are.
Public Health Alert NSW