Amazon Australia has unveiled a purpose-built fulfilment centre in Horsley Park, Western Sydney, marking a $400 million investment in its local operations. The facility was opened with Fairfield City Council representatives and Amazon Australia director of operations Wayne Angus taking part in the ribbon-cutting.
The site covers approximately 80,000 square metres, which is about four and a half times the size of the Sydney Opera House. It will be able to hold more than 10 million items sold on Amazon.com.au, spanning everyday essentials, electronics, beauty products, books, toys and homeware.
Capacity and jobs
Once fully operational, the fulfilment centre will offer more than 1,000 local jobs. Amazon describes the roles as ranging from entry-level positions with on-the-job training and certification programmes to skilled jobs in operations, human resources, engineering and workplace health and safety.
Benefits for permanent employees include subsidised health insurance for the whole family, free life insurance, up to 20 weeks of parental leave pay and a free Amazon Prime membership.
Angus said the investment demonstrated Amazon’s long-term commitment to the region and to delivering a world-class experience for Australian customers. He added that as demand grows, the company is focused on improving selection and delivery speed while supporting the communities in which it operates.
Seller capacity and technology
The new site is also intended to benefit small and medium-sized businesses in New South Wales that use Fulfilment by Amazon. According to Amazon, the expanded capacity will help Australian sellers of smaller items serve customers around the country more seamlessly.
The centre will use advanced technology to support teams as they pick and pack items for Amazon.com.au shoppers. Amazon says this contributes to its efforts to provide a smarter, faster and more consistent experience for customers in Sydney and elsewhere in Australia. The facility features state-of-the-art inbound and outbound sortation systems.
Design and local impact
Sustainable design elements include a solar array on the roof, rapid rollers at all dock doors and insulation intended to maintain internal temperatures and reduce energy consumption. Motion-sensor lighting is also installed to support energy efficiency.
Fairfield City Council Mayor Frank Carbone said the Horsley Park investment would create opportunities for businesses to distribute their products and reach customers across Australia and internationally. He said the facility represented a significant investment in technology and capability, while the people behind the scenes, from engineers to transport workers, made it happen. He also described it as a boost for the local economy, residents and small businesses.
Amazon Australia now operates four fulfilment centres in New South Wales and five delivery stations.