Construction of Queensland’s first ‘dark supermarket’ is set to start next month, with Brisbane City Council approving the mega grocery delivery facility in Rochedale, which is set to create more than 600 jobs.
City Planning and Economic Development Chair Krista Adams said once built, the facility would be used exclusively to complete online orders for Woolworths popular home delivery service.
“The notion of traditional retail is shifting and more customers are opting for convenience and faster delivery, with demand surging for grocery deliveries right across the country,” Cr Adams said.
“This new Brisbane facility will employ local staff that will pick out, pack up and facilitate the delivery of the weekly shop right from Rochedale to the front door of South-East Queenslanders. It will be one of Woolworths’ largest online delivery services in Australia.
“This is a significant investment by Woolworths and a confidence-booster for Brisbane that will create much-needed jobs including 200 during construction and 400 more when the site is fully operational as early as the end of this year.
“The site is located in Rochedale Motorway Estate and will work alongside the up and coming Heathwood Distribution Centre and Hilton Food Australia’s meat processing facility, further cementing Brisbane as Queensland’s reliable food supply chain hub.”
Logistics expert Goodman Group is spearheading the project, and General Manager Jason Little said Rochedale was the perfect location for this facility as it was well located and close to customers.
“Rochedale Motorway Estate is a high quality property that we can all be proud of and we are grateful to Brisbane City Council for their support and expeditiously progressing the application for Woolworths,” he said.
“The tick of approval for us to proceed with this project will boost the jobs created by the Rochedale Motorway Estate to more than 1200 jobs, with 200 people employed during construction of the Woolworths and more than 400 people employed onsite on an ongoing basis.
Cr Adams said it was important Brisbane continued to evaluate and welcome infrastructure that improves local services, job prospects and the local economy.
“This shopping base will ensure our community has a modern, fast, and reliable grocery service at its fingertips and we look forward to opening up more jobs and seeing the warehouses in full swing as early as the end of this year,” she said.
Works will be delivered by Brisbane-based construction company Spaceframe, with construction set to start in March.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on 3403 8888.
For the latest on what’s happening in Brisbane, visit www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news.
