Woolworths’ New Distribution Centre In Heathwood Will Create Hundreds Of Jobs

Woolworths, Australia’s biggest supermarket chain, commenced the construction of its $184m distribution centre in Heathwood in February 2021.

The goal of creating this new facility is to service 260 Queensland and northern NSW stores with chilled and frozen goods. Beyond delivering better service and fresher food to stores, Woolworths aims to take trucks off Brisbane’s roads, and create exciting new career opportunities for Queenslanders with this new development.

During construction, building works are expected to provide around 200 jobs and once done, is set to provide ongoing employment to around 300 Queenslanders.

“In these uncertain times, we need major job-creating projects that will create certainty in job opportunities and economic growth,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

About Heathwood Distribution Centre

Building proposal (Photo credit: pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

Set to open in the first half of 2022, this facility will be temperature-controlled and will have three levels (ground and two mezzanine) “pick hall” for order assembly. Measuring 42,000 sqm, the facility will be equivalent to more than three times the size of the Suncorp Stadium playing field.

Hilton Foods Australia, which supplies meat throughout the UK, Western & Central Europe and Australia, will be co-located on the site. At full capacity, more than two million cartons a week will move through the Heathwood DC from more than 400 suppliers.

In a media release, Primary Connect general manager for Queensland Dale Acton said: “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 5000 new jobs.”

The company is also aiming to get the Green Building Council of Australia’s Five Star Green Star rating, with its major solar panel system on the roof and charge points for electric trucks.

This new distribution centre is Woolworths’ partnership with LOGOs, Brisbane City Council and Vaughan Constructions.