GLOBAL tech giant Amazon is to a large distribution hub in the Brisbane suburb of Lytton, a move hailed as boosting the company’s logistics capabilities nationwide.
Lytton is near the mouth of the Brisbane River, facing Brisbane Airport and close to the Port of Brisbane
Amazon has been working with Goodman, an Australian-based global property group, to develop the company’s first Queensland “fulfilment” centre.
Amazon Australia director of operations Craig Fuller said Brisbane was a key strategic location.
“We’re pleased that this significant investment will create job opportunities to support the local economy, benefit customers, and local small to medium size businesses who will be able to access Amazon’s logistics capabilities to reach customers across the country,” Mr Fuller said.
“We are also dedicated to enriching and giving back to the communities in which we operate, and we look forward to working with the Council, local schools and other local groups to create impactful community programs as we get to know the Lytton community.”
Goodman Australia general manager Jason Little said Goodman had a long-standing working relationship with both the Queensland government and Amazon.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said construction would start immediately with a view to being up and going before Christmas.
“As the state recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, Amazon’s commitment is a clear indicator of its confidence in our economic recovery,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
The Premier said lifestyle patterns and purchasing behaviours had changed during the global pandemic.
“There is no doubt the ‘stay at home economy’ has grown significantly in the past few months,” the Premier said.
“E-commerce companies like Amazon have a key role to play in supporting that growing economy and helping facilitate Queensland businesses deliver their products to the door.”
State Development Minister Kate Jones said the government had worked hard to negotiate the sale of surplus industrial land in Lytton to Goodman.
“We need new infrastructure in Queensland to stimulate our economy and to create jobs,” Ms Jones said.
“Construction will start straight away and we expect the warehouse to be complete in time for Christmas – giving hundreds of local families something to look forward to at the end of a hard year.”
Amazon opened its first Australian fulfilment centre in Melbourne in December 2017, with other centres following in Sydney and Perth.
