Amazon Australia has opened a purpose-built fulfilment centre at Horsley Park in Western Sydney, a facility the company says represents a $400 million investment. Fairfield City Council representatives, including Mayor Frank Carbone, joined Amazon Australia director of operations Wayne Angus for a ribbon-cutting to mark the opening.
The site covers about 80,000 square metres, which Amazon says is roughly 4.5 times the footprint of the Sydney Opera House. It will 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 centre is expected to support more than 1,000 local jobs. Roles will range from entry-level positions with training and certification to skilled jobs in operations, human resources, engineering and workplace health and safety. Amazon said entry-level staff would have access to on-the-job training and certification programmes. Permanent staff benefits cited by Amazon include subsidised health insurance for families, free life insurance, up to 20 weeks of parental leave pay and a free Prime membership.
Angus said the opening continued Amazon's investment in Western Sydney and reflected a long-term commitment to the region and to improving the customer experience. He also said the company was working to broaden selection and speed up delivery as demand grows, while supporting the communities in which it operates.
Support for sellers and local economy
Fairfield City Council Mayor Frank Carbone welcomed the investment, saying it would create opportunities for businesses to distribute products to customers across Australia and internationally. He described the people involved, from engineers to transport workers, as central to making the facility work, and said the site was a boost for the local economy, residents and small businesses. He thanked Amazon for selecting Horsley Park.
Amazon said the new centre would also help New South Wales small and medium-sized businesses using Fulfilment by Amazon. The additional capacity is intended to let Australian sellers of smaller items serve customers around the country more easily.
Technology and energy features
The fulfilment centre will use technology to support staff as they pick and pack orders for Amazon.com.au, part of the company's effort to make delivery in Sydney and elsewhere in Australia faster and more consistent. The building includes inbound and outbound sortation systems, rapid rollers at dock doors, roof-mounted solar panels, insulation to manage internal temperatures and motion-sensor lighting. Amazon described the design as contributing to its energy-efficiency efforts.
Amazon Australia now operates four fulfilment centres in New South Wales and five delivery stations. The Horsley Park site is the latest addition to that network and increases Amazon's capacity in New South Wales.