Amazon to build multimillion-dollar Brisbane hub

Global shopping giant Amazon will build a new multimillion-dollar hub in Brisbane, with construction beginning immediately, creating hundreds of new jobs.

GLOBAL shopping giant Amazon will set up shop in Brisbane, the State Government has announced.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for State Development Kate Jones confirmed the major business win for the state which would create up to 200 jobs.

Construction on the multimillion-dollar fulfilment centre would commence straight away, the Premier said, with 170 jobs to be created in the short-term, while an additional 200 jobs would be on offer once the facility was up and running.

An artist's render of the new Amazon facility in Brisbane.

Located at Goodman’s Port Industry Park in Lytton, in the city’s east, the fulfilment centre will be the same size as two rugby league fields.

It is expected to be operational before Christmas.

Local sellers who use Fulfilment By Amazon will be able to send their goods to the facility where it will then be packed and shipped to the buyer.

It will house more than half a million items from Amazon.com.au ranging from health, household and personal care products, to electronics, books, gardening equipment and pantry staples.

A high proportion of the items at the Brisbane hub will be the products Queenslanders most commonly purchase from Amazon, ensuring the most popular items are closer to customers and can be delivered more quickly.

Construction on the Brisbane facility will create more than 170 jobs and an additional 200 once it's up and running. Companies like @amazon play a vital role in helping Queensland businesses deliver their products to people’s doors. #qldjobs pic.twitter.com/xLydeCGGxu

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 11, 2020

“Brisbane is a key strategic location to meet customer demand in Queensland,” Craig Fuller, director of operations, Amazon Australia said.

The site of the new Amazon fulfilment centre in Lytton.

“ We are committed to improving delivery promises for our customers as demand continues to grow, and building infrastructure closer to where our customers and third party sellers live enables us to do this, while reducing our environmental impact.”

Ms Palaszczuk the project would be key to the state’s recovery following the coronavirus crisis.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and the Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation, Kate Jones digging at the site of the new Amazon hub. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Meanwhile, the Premier also confirmed there had been one new case of COVID-19 overnight, but that it was acquired overseas.

She said it was good news there were no locally acquired cases but reminded people who were feeling sick to stay at home.

There have been 1063 coronavirus cases statewide, with four active cases remaining.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaking at a press conference today. Picture: Steve Pohlner