Australia Post has officially opened its new $12 million Parcel Facility on the Gold Coast, cementing its long-term investment in the region. Built to accommodate increased parcel growth, the modern 15,087m2 facility will improve turnaround times and help process up to 6,000 parcels per hour, 75,000 parcels a day and up to 90,000 during peak periods like Christmas. Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP and Australia Post Executive General Manager Network Operations Rod Barnes were onsite to unveil the facility. The new state-of-the-art facility integrates cutting-edge sortation technology, enabling increased visibility of customer parcels moving throughout the network and seamlessly integrating Australia Post’s suite of services including Express Post, Parcel Post, StarTrack Premium and its newest next day delivery service, Australia Post Metro, to provide a better experience for customers.

In a first for Australia Post, the facility has achieved an accredited 5-star Green Star rating, featuring a 99kW solar system capable of powering up to 30% of the total load for the facility, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. Mr. Barnes said the multi-million-dollar investment into the Gold Coast and its surrounds, including parts of Northern New South Wales such as Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah, reflects Australia Post’s commitment to improving services for the community. “As one of Queensland’s biggest cities, we’ve seen parcel volumes increase by 97% since 2019, with data indicating almost 280,000 Gold Coast households shopped online in the past year.” Mr. Barnes commented “This increased demand has seen the Gold Coast become our largest posting zone outside the major capitals, with substantial inbound and outbound product. This new facility will expedite processing and improve turnaround times, ensuring quicker delivery of parcels to our customers’ doorsteps,”  Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP said this important investment in parcel delivery infrastructure will ensure that Australia Post is well-equipped to handle the growing increase in demand for parcels. “Australia Post is a cherished national institution that supports communities, businesses and our economy – and the Government is committed to supporting the organisation to modernise to meet the expectations of Australians. The modernisation reforms the Government introduced this year help Australia Post to drive efficiencies in their delivery network to improve their long-term sustainability, and support jobs for postal workers.” Minister Rowland commented  “This state-of-the-art facility will help ensure consumers and businesses on the Gold Coast and across Queensland are well-served by Australia Post. Australia Post’s facility investment and the Government’s modernisation agenda will help ensure the business is well positioned to meet the challenges and needs of the future,”. The opening also commemorates 50 years of StarTrack, with the new facility enabling StarTrack to collect from over 250 customers daily and servicing an average of 25,000 delivery points within the Premium network. The new facility will accommodate over 300 team members in the region and recruitment for Australia Post’s peak period in the lead up to Christmas will commence soon with casual jobs available for interested locals.