Amazon coming to Queensland delivering hundreds of jobs

The Premier has announced global e-commerce giant Amazon will build a massive multi-million dollar hub in Queensland – thanks to strong support from property group Goodman and the Palaszczuk Government.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said construction on the Brisbane facility would start immediately creating more than 170 construction jobs and an additional 200 jobs once up and running by 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 and I’m proud that my government is playing a key role in facilitating their investment in Queensland.

“We are 100 per cent focussed on getting Queensland working again and that’s why I’ve directed my Ministers to fast-track projects that will create jobs for Queenslanders as part of our Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan.”

The Premier said lifestyle patterns and purchasing behaviours changed significantly throughout the global pandemic which meant a lot of Queensland businesses focussed their attentions online.

“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.”

Amazon has been working with Goodman, an Australian-headquartered global property group, to develop the company’s first Queensland fulfilment centre.

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.

“This deal means millions of dollars of private sector infrastructure being built here in Queensland.

“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.”

Member for Lytton Joan Pease said she lobbied hard to secure the deal which is set to create hundreds of local jobs.

“This is a win-win for our community,” she said.

“Bringing Amazon to Queensland will create hundreds of jobs for locals and will have a great flow-on effect for local businesses – with orders and deliveries processed quicker and easier.

“Goodman will undertake significant infrastructure works along with considerable upgrades to an existing adjoining building to ensure it meets Amazon’s specific requirements.”

Amazon opened its first Australian fulfilment centre in Melbourne in December 2017 followed by centres in Sydney and Perth in 2018 and 2019 and now has a local team of more 2500 employees across amazon.com.au, Amazon Web Services, Kindle, Audible, Alexa and Prime Video.

Amazon Australia Director of Operations Craig Fuller said Amazon is committed to providing great selection, value and convenience to local customers when they shop with Amazon.

“Brisbane is a key strategic location to meet increasing customer demand in Queensland and 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 has a long-standing working relationship with both the Queensland Government and Amazon, and together, we are working to open up economic opportunities for Queenslanders.

“The government is committed to supporting and encouraging increased private investment into the state that creates new jobs for Queenslanders,” Mr Little said.

Learn more about the Queensland Government’s tailored investment facilitation support available to major investment ideas and business proposals.

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Media contact:

Zoe Russell – 0439 982 347

Jack Harbour - 0419 620 447