Freight facility Toll Group move into $86 million facility in Brisbane's south
A new $86 million development in Brisbane's south will house freight facility Toll Group, with 500 staff in the building that is the size of two Suncorp Stadiums. It employed 1,500 workers through construction and is located in the Logan Motorway Precinct.
Doors are now open on what is the largest pallets and oversize freight depot that Toll operates anywhere across the world, at 43,600 square metres for the facility on a 13 hectare site.
Premier Campbell newman, who announced the move, said that they welcome the investment and confidence into Queensland's economy.
“This new facility for Toll will be the largest in its world-wide operations and it’s encouraging they decided to open it in Queensland, the best place to live and work," he said.
“We hope Toll will continue to grow in years to come and employ more hard working Queenslanders.”
Developed by The GPT Group, it was announced in late-2012 that Toll had committed to leasing the precinct, once built, for 15 years. GPT was looking to increase their weighting in the logistics sector and have 100% ownership in this property.
At the time, head of investment management for GPT, Carmel Hourigan, said that they were bringing logistics and business parks to 15% of its portfolio.
"GPT is progressing well on this strategy having now acquired more than $200 million of industrial facilities in 2012," Hourigan said.
Toll NQX's Brisbane based offices have all been consolidated into this new office. There were previously three.
Divisional director for Toll, Mal Grimmond, said that they're hoping other businesses will invest in the state.
“The new depot has been designed to provide the absolute safest working environment for our people, which is essential in such a labour-intensive industry such as transport and logistics,” Grimmond said.
The facility includes a 2,000 square metre dedicated heavy vehicle workshop. It is in Karawatha, 22 kilometres south of Brisbane's CBD. It was chosen partly due to its access to all major arterial routes through the state's southeast.
Assisting with the development of the facility included the Queensland Department of Transport & Main Roads, Brisbane City Council and Logan City Council. The architects Arqus, planners RPS, builders FDC Construction and security provider Visium were also involved.