Esther Lauaki
By Esther Lauaki
Online shoppers in the west and north can expect speedier deliveries as web retailer Amazon sets up shop in Tullamarine.
Amazon last week announced a new distribution hub at Melbourne Airport which will significantly increase its capacity to service customers in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs, while also speeding up deliveries to those areas.
The new 3500 square metre delivery station is located within the airport’s business park, and replaces Amazon’s first Melbourne Airport facility launched earlier this year.
Amazon Australia operations director Craig Fuller said that in addition to the benefit to customers, the new site was more than 10 times larger and would create more than 30 operational jobs and flexible earning opportunities with Amazon Flex.
“We are continuing to invest in our Melbourne delivery network with the expansion of our distribution hub at Melbourne airport,” Mr Fuller said.
“The location provides convenient access to the north and west of Melbourne, and by expanding our operations there we can ensure more customers can get their orders more quickly as we lead into the holiday season.
“It’s been a particularly challenging time for Melbournians who have had to rely increasingly on online retail during the lockdown, so we are pleased to be able to increase delivery capacity and speed in Melbourne’s north and west, while creating local job opportunities.”
Amazon delivery stations power the last mile of the order process acting as a distribution hub for the online retailer.
Packages will be shipped to the Melbourne Airport delivery station from the Amazon fulfillment centre in Dandenong South, or from other centres around the country.
The delivery station facilitates delivery to customers in the surrounding suburbs.
Melbourne Airport commercial property chief Andrew Gardiner said the COVID-19 health crisis had supercharged online retail in Victoria – highlighting the importance of distribution networks to the state’s economy.
“Victorians have turned to e-commerce in their millions, and with such a long period of restrictions in place we’ll have all formed shopping habits that will remain with us long after the pandemic has passed,” Mr Gardiner said.
“August 2020 was a record breaker for online retail in Victoria, and we know that three of the top five suburbs for online retail in Point Cook, Craigieburn and Hoppers Crossing are growing suburbs in Melbourne’s west.
“So Melbourne Airport is really the perfect location to welcome Amazon’s new delivery station, and we’re incredibly proud to have been able to provide the right facilities to support the growth of the world’s largest retailer.”
