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Tech and e-commerce giant Amazon is expected to start construction tomorrow on a new fulfilment facility in Brisbane, representing a first in Queensland for the US multinational.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk held a press conference at the company's site in Goodman's Port Industry Park, Lytton, where 170 construction jobs are anticipated to be created between now and Christmas.
She said there would be 200 ongoing jobs in the centre, and "a lot of Queensland local products that will be available online".
"The state government has been working with Amazon for a number of years to get them to Queensland and it's wonderful to welcome them here," the Premier said.
State Development Minister Kate Jones says the site has a strategic purpose for Amazon as it is close to the motorway and Brisbane Airport.
"We've seen through iso that more people are turning to online shopping than ever before. While Australia is still behind other countries - it's only around one in 10 households buying online - we saw a dramatic shift during COVID-19 with more people choosing to buy local produce online," she said.
"Last year Australians spent around $27 billion in online goods, so having Amazon here sends a very clear message to Queensland businesses to get their produce and their goods online so we can continue to support jobs throughout Queensland."
Amazon Australia operations director Craig Fuller said he was really excited to announce Amazon's fulfilment centre in Brisbane.
"The new fulfilment center, which is the size of two rugby fields, will open before Christmas and will be the foundation of our Queensland operations," Fuller said.
"The fulfilment center will house more than half a million products and will enable faster delivery to Queensland homes.
"Our investment will create 200 jobs for local people in a range of areas from human resources to information technology, health and safety and of course, jobs at an entry level, and we'll provide on-the-job training.
"We look forward to giving back to the local community, working with councils and community groups like we have in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth."
Amazon has a questionable track record overseas for its treatment of workers, with the common trope that it treats its employees - or associates as Amazon calls them - "like robots".
But the Premier emphasised Amazon would be required to comply with local working standards, and she was "delighted" that more than 200 permanent jobs will be created "which is exactly what we need when we know that our unemployment level is increasing".
"Every job is absolutely crucial," she said
Updated at 10:25am AEST on 11 June.
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