Work underway on Woolworths supply chain operator’s 42,000 sq m facility
The first sod is turned on Woolworths supply chain arm Primary Connect’s new Heathwood Distribution Centre (DC) in southeast Queensland.
The 42,000-square-metre temperature controlled facility, which it describes as equivalent to three Suncorp Stadium playing fields – is to allow for more efficient deliveries of around 4,000 frozen and chilled products to more than 260 stores across Queensland and northern New South Wales.
The DC is set to open in the first half of 2022 and will be co-located with Woolworths’ meat supplier Hilton Foods Australia’s production facility, reducing up to 390 truck movements each week by consolidating delivery loads to stores, it claims.
The $184m investment is majority funded by real estate firm Logos, with Vaughan Constructions chosen as the builder, and Woolworths signing an initial 15-year lease on the site.
At full capacity, more than two million cartons a week from more than 400 suppliers will move through the Heathwood DC.
How Woolworths streamlined its supply chain operation, here
“We’re proud to be investing in our Queensland supply chain network for the benefit of our customers and store teams,” Primary Connect general manager for Queensland Dale Acton says.
“This development will help us deliver better service and fresher food to our stores, take trucks off Brisbane’s roads, and create exciting new career opportunities for Queenslanders.
“The extra delivery capacity enabled through the Heathwood DC will be key to supporting our continued growth in Queensland for many years to come.
“Over the next five years we plan to inject a total of $500 million into the Queensland economy across our store network and supply chain, e-commerce and shopping centre developments — creating more than 5,000 new jobs.”
The project has drummed up local government enthusiasm.
“In these uncertain times, we need major job-creating projects that will create certainty in job opportunities and economic growth – that’s what the Heathwood Distribution Centre will bring to Brisbane by securing around 200 jobs during construction and sustaining around 300 jobs after,” Brisbane mayor Adrian Schrinner says.
“Working alongside Hilton Foods Australia, this new facility will help boost consumer confidence while positioning Brisbane as the hub for a local, reliable food supply chain for Queensland.”
The Heathwood DC is also targeting a Five Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, with a major solar panel system on the roof and charge points for electric trucks.
“We’re pleased to be commencing construction of the third facility at our $500m Heathwood Logistics Estate with our long-term partner Woolworths,” Logos head of Australia and New Zealand Darren Searle says.
“The 42,000sqm facility will complete the 25 hectare Estate as a world class food distribution hub servicing Brisbane and the greater region alongside Asahi Beverages and Hilton Foods.
“We look forward to working with Woolworths, Brisbane City Council and Vaughan Constructions to deliver this Five Star Green Star facility.”
It comes after Woolworths unveiled a $12m upgrade of its Townsville Regional DC in October 2020, more than doubling its original footprint.
It also operates the 92,000 sq m Brisbane Regional Distribution Centre at Larapinta.