The 43,000 square metre facility is double the size of Amazon's only other distribution centre in Melbourne.
The warehouse will enable Amazon to ramp up its delivery service across the country and provide a big boost to local jobs.
The Federal Government backed intermodal facility provides a rail ‘port shuttle’ between Port Botany and the Moorebank precinct which makes it an ideal location for for interstate freight and warehousing. The site is adjacent to the existing dedicated freight railway line, the M5 motorway and close to the M7 motorway.
The terminal will boost productivity and improve transport links enabling import-export freight travelling through Sydney to and from Port Botany to be transported on rail instead of the road network, providing cheaper and more efficient freight transportation.
The interstate terminal will take pressure off rural and regional roads and enhance the freight rail network, to help make our vastly underused rail network a real competitor to road freight and benefit everyone in the national supply chain that needs to transport goods
The new “fulfilment centre”, as Amazon describes it in classic 21st century business speak, will create hundreds of new jobs.
The company has received a lukewarm reception from Australians since its launch, leaving experts questioning the online giant's long term viability here.
Some analysts believe Australia's disconnected urban layout makes the company's business model difficult to maintain.
It has to contend with entrenched online sales operators such as Kogan as well as online sales sites established by every major Australian retailer.
However, USA companies have a habit of “growing” slowly in Australia. McDonalds received a similar welcome when it first opened in the early 1970s.
Amazon’s business model is also based on thousands of small businessmen acting as its suppliers. It is a
totally new concept for Australian business.
totally new concept for Australian business.
Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller told media that Amazon was a “great win” for the local community.
“The Amazon facility will be a boon for south-west Sydney and we look forward to having good jobs for people close to where they live and to have a partner involved in the local community,” Mayor Waller said.
She said there had been a recent rapid growth in transport and logistics in the area.
“We’ve had six major transport and logistics companies open their doors in Liverpool, with three more under development.
“That’s $560m worth of development from this sector in just a year-and-a-half. Another $40m worth is under assessment with our planners.”
Mayor Waller said the Transport and Logistics sector contributed $1.3bn to Liverpool’s Gross Regional Product, employing 7000 people.
