As part of its long-term investment in the region, Australia Post has opened at new A$12m (US$8m) parcel facility on the Gold Coast that will be able to process 6,000 parcels per hour.
The 15,087m2 facility will be able to handle up to 90,000 parcels a day during peak periods such as Christmas using cutting-edge sortation technology that enables increased visibility of customer parcels moving throughout the network. The technology will seamlessly integrate Australia Post’s suite of services including Express Post, Parcel Post, StarTrack Premium and its newest next-day delivery service, Australia Post Metro, to provide a better experience for customers.
Solar-powered
In a first for Australia Post, the facility has achieved an accredited five-star Green Star rating, featuring a 99kW solar system capable of powering up to 30% of the total load for the facility, to reduce carbon emissions.
According to Rod Barnes, executive general manager – network operations, the multimillion-dollar investment into the Gold Coast and its surrounds, including parts of Northern New South Wales such as Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah, reflects Australia Post’s commitment to improving services for the community.
“As one of Queensland’s biggest cities, we’ve seen parcel volumes increase by 97% since 2019, with data indicating almost 280,000 Gold Coast households shopped online in the past year.
“This increased demand has seen the Gold Coast become our largest posting zone outside the major capitals, with substantial inbound and outbound product. This new facility will expedite processing and improve turnaround times, ensuring quicker delivery of parcels to our customers’ doorsteps,” Barnes added.
Meeting demands
Minister for communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, said this important investment in parcel delivery infrastructure will ensure that Australia Post is well equipped to handle the growing increase in demand for parcels.
“This state-of-the-art facility will help ensure consumers and businesses on the Gold Coast and across Queensland are well served by Australia Post,” she explained. “Australia Post’s facility investment and the Government’s modernization agenda will help ensure the business is well positioned to meet the challenges and needs of the future.”
The new facility will accommodate over 300 team members in the region and recruitment for Australia Post’s peak period in the lead-up to Christmas will commence soon with casual jobs available for interested locals.
Other projects
The Gold Coast facility is one of several new facilities aimed at helping Australia Post handle increasing e-commerce parcel demands – the post announced in March 2024 that it is investing A$50m (US$33m) in a cutting-edge parcel facility at Brisbane’s Airport Industrial Park that will be able to handle 176,000 parcels per day. Read more on that story here.