Early adopters set to reap rewards

 Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said "early adopters" will reap the benefits of unrivalled connectivity to world markets and important supply chains by setting up in the New West.

Global giant Amazon recently announced that it will establish its first Australian robotics fulfilment centre at Goodman Group’s Oakdale West Industrial Estate in Penrith – the latest in a series of big names to establish in the New West, following Costco, Toyota, TNT, DHL, Woolworths and others.

At over 200,000 sqm (equivalent to 22 rugby fields), the vast and high-tech Amazon building will be home to 1,500 new jobs, with the state-of-the-art construction work providing another 700.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM welcomed Amazon to Penrith, forecasting an exciting future for the New West with other game changing investments in the pipeline including a new international airport, Metro rail line and billions of dollars in road infrastructure. "Early adopters will reap the benefits now and when the airport opens in 2026, they will be well placed to capitalise on even greater international opportunities."

Amazon’s news is the latest in a series of wins for Penrith’s aerotropolis landholdings with the fast tracking of the 850ha Mamre Precinct worth an estimated $2.6b and delivering more than 5,000 jobs. Proponents include Mirvac, Frasers Property, Fife Capitol, Dexus, Altis property partners, Stockland, GPT Group and ESR.

In June, Mirvac said its proposed 56ha Aspect Industrial Estate at Kemps Creek was accelerated as it fits State Government criteria to generate economic activity and jobs as part of COVID-19 recovery efforts and was "shovel ready."

Cr Fowler said Amazon’s decision to locate in Penrith was a "wonderful endorsement of the potential in our City and region."

Across four levels, the facility will house robots that bring the shelves to Amazon employees, a cutting-edge example of advanced logistics. Being on the doorstep of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, the existing road and rail networks and billions of dollars of promised new infrastructure heralds benefits not only to Amazon, but also its customers who demand lightning fast and efficient shipping.

Jobs created will be diverse and wide-ranging, from robotic specialists through to IT, HR and the staff who work picking and packing goods.

"As our population grows we will have access to industry, new leisure facilities, improved sporting fields, better public transport and improved roads to connect residents to more jobs closer to home, which is a key element of a liveable city and a balanced lifestyle," Cr Fowler said.

Craig Fuller, Amazon Australia’s Director of Operations, says that the scale of the facility will effectively grow Amazon’s operational footprint in Australia by more than 100%.

"The Amazon Robotics fulfilment centre will more than double our operational footprint in Australia, enhance efficiency and safety for our associates while ultimately providing customers with wider selection and faster delivery. This investment will also benefit the 10,000 plus small & medium sized businesses who utilise Fulfilment By Amazon to seamlessly service customers across the country," Mr Fuller said.

Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian who was on site for the announcement, said, "Amazon’s decision to locate its first robotic centre in the Southern Hemisphere right here in Western Sydney is another great example about what the future holds."

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Amazon’s decision was a vote of confidence for Penrith and the NSW economy.

"The project will contribute to local workforce development and provide skilled employment in areas like robotics, logistics and supply chain. It will also help build our local e-commerce sector, giving small and medium-sized businesses access to Amazon’s packing, shipping, customer service and returns capabilities, along with easier access to millions of customers across Australia and the world," Mr Ayres said.

For Penrith, the next five to 10 years will bring transformation, driven in large part by game changing investments like that of Amazon, the Western Sydney International Airport and improved road and rail networks.

The facility is expected to open in 2021.

Image: Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres, Amazon Australia country manager Matt Furlong, Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies, and Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM at the announcement of Amazon’s move to Penrith New West.