New Woolworths brings 200 jobs to Moreton Bay region

The coronavirus pandemic may have brought mass unemployment, but a new supermarket north of Brisbane promises 200 jobs.

Artists impression of the new Woolworths shopping centre development at Dakabin.

WOOLWORTHS is recruiting about 200 staff for a new supermarket north of Brisbane at a time when the nation’s unemployment is tipped to hit 10 per cent.

The company is about two months away from opening a new full line supermarket and BWS at Dakabin, near North Lakes. Construction began last August.

Woolworths preparing new shopping centre in Dakabin

Dakabin Woolworths will offer shopping without leaving the car

The complex, at the corner of Alma and Old Gympie roads, also has a separate retail component which is expected to open in October.

It will house a medical centre, dentist, pharmacy, gym and hairdresser as well as dining and takeaway restaurants.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to deliver an exciting new neighbourhood shopping centre at Dakabin to meet the fresh food and grocery needs of local residents,” Woolworths State Property Development manager Chris Sheehan said.

“Woolworths Dakabin marks the next evolution in our journey to create a modern and contemporary neighbourhood supermarket with exciting initiatives like drive-through and pick-up for the convenience of our customers.

Artists impression of the new Woolworths shopping centre development at Dakabin.

“We look forward to welcoming customers into our store and will continue to update the Dakabin community on our timeline in the coming months.”

The company has already begun a recruitment drive for the Dakabin store, with a focus currently on leadership positions.

Store team member roles will soon to be advertised.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe recently warned that the nation’s unemployment rate would likely to be around 10 per cent by June.

“Although I am hopeful that it might be lower than this if businesses are able to retain their employees on lower hours,” he said.

“The unemployment rate would have been much higher than this without the government’s JobKeeper wage subsidy.”

Woolworths State Development manager Chis Sheen, builder Paul Lanskey, former mayor Allan Sutherland, Member for Murrumba Steven Miles and Woolworths Group's Savanah Powell at the sod turn for the Dakabin Woolworths complex. Picture: David Alexander

Federal Member for Longman Terry Young said the new supermarket complex was fantastic news for locals.

“The people living in the electorate of Longman need jobs, especially during this time, so this is a great opportunity for people to get back into the workforce and be able to provide for their families,” he said.

“At the Moreton Bay Jobs Fair in February, we saw more than 1966 people walk through the doors of the Morayfield Event and Sports Centre to voice interest in the 737 job vacancies on offer.

“So we know that the demand for jobs is out there in this community and we must continue to welcome as many new pathways to employment as possible.”

Fabcot Pty Ltd, part of the Woolworths Group, acquired the Dakabin site outright in December 2015 for about $6.2 million from a company called Alma Properties.

Earlier that year, Fabcot gained approval in the Planning and Environment Court to go ahead with the new shopping centre after the council’s initial approval was unsuccessfully challenged.

The new supermarket incorporates a number of modern initiatives including a drive-through facility in which customers can order their groceries online, book a time and drive down a purpose-built lane where a staff member will load the groceries into their vehicle.

“There’s probably only a handful of these around the country but it’s certainly the way it is going as we compliment the online business with home delivery and now with pick-up,” Mr Sheehan said.

The complex will also have a four-star green rating that will minimise its impact on the environment during construction and its ongoing operation.