Australia Post has installed a new parcel-processing machine at its Strathfield facility in Sydney to help meet the growing demands of online shopping.
According to Australia Post’s latest Inside Australian Online Shopping 2018 report, New South Wales residents are big buyers of fashion, with online purchases in the category rising 28% last year.
The new automation equipment will process 10,500 parcels an hour, significantly increasing parcel-processing numbers for residents of the country’s most populated state, ahead of this year’s festive period.
The new sorter at Strathfield is one of many infrastructure upgrades planned as part of the post’s A$300m (US$222m) national investment over the next 18 months, which includes an automated parcel-delivery center scheduled to be operating in Chullora in time for Christmas.
New satchel and small packet sorters will also be installed in Brisbane, Queensland, and Melbourne, Victoria, which will be capable of processing more than 40,000 parcels an hour.
Bob Black, group chief operating officer and executive general manager for parcel and e-commerce delivery, Australia Post, said, “It’s no secret that online shopping in Australia is growing. Consumers are buying more and more online internationally and domestically, and as a result we’re processing and delivering more parcels than ever before.
“Last year we experienced our biggest Christmas peak period ever, delivering over 37 million parcels nationally in December alone, including a record 2.5 million parcels in a single day, and we know this year will be even bigger.
“This new automated machinery is great news for residents in New South Wales, where our research shows online shopping grew 21.1% last year. It also means we’re providing a safer working environment for everyone, with automation reducing manual handling and the risk of injury.”