Costco to build $50m Brisbane warehouse
Ahead of Amazon’s arrival in Australia, US wholesale retail giant Costco has announced plans to build a $50 million Brisbane warehouse, its 10th in Australia.
The new Ipswich warehouse, scheduled to open in 2018, will be developed within billionaire property developer Lang Walker’s $1 billion Walker Corporation Citiswich Business Park, 25 minutes west of Brisbane.
Costco snapped up the 6.5 hectare site at Ashburn Road within the business park and has submitted a development proposal for a 13,750 square metre wholesale warehouse – the size of two football field – as well as a Costco fuel station and 825 car parking spaces.
The announcement comes soon after Costco opened a new mega warehouse in Marsden Park in Sydney’s outer north west, and as local retailers prepare for online giant Amazon to shake up the local market with a range of online offerings that could include its grocery business, AmazonFresh.
Costco, which operates a membership model, sells everything from groceries to big appliances, sporting goods, clothing and jewellery. The retailer has operated a warehouse in North Lakes in Brisbane’s northern suburbs since 2014.
In a direct challenge to Amazon, the wholesaler recently revealed plans to open an online store in Australia in 12 to 18 months as it looks to win more business from regional areas.
“We are thrilled to be continuing our investment in South East Queensland with this new location in Ipswich,” said Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone.
Queensland general manager for Walker Corporation, Peter Saba said: “We are seeing international, national and local businesses recognising the strategic location of Citiswich for their customers and operations.
“The new motorway has opened up the whole South East Queensland region with a very wide retail and business catchment, while cutting travel times to the Port of Brisbane, CBD, key business and residential centres.
“Major logistics group are locating at Citiswich because of its ability to service a wide area throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales, as we are close to three major highways”, he added.
Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Andrew Antoniolli, said “This is a major development and we are delighted that Costco has decided to make Ipswich its second home.”
