Melbourne Avalon Airport is expanding its strength as a crucial logistics hub with a new $8 million dedicated freight facility earmarked to open in 2025.
The new state-of-the-art facility will provide faster package handling and distribution of freight and quicker deliveries of online shopping for consumers and business in the Greater Geelong and west Melbourne areas.
Melbourne Avalon Airport Interim CEO, Ari Suss explains, “The establishment of this state-of-the-art freight processing facility will strengthen Melbourne Avalon Airport’s role as a critical logistics hub and the creation of a multi-modal hub for Victoria.”
Backed by the Victorian Government, Minister for Jobs the Honourable Natalie Hutchins MP, announced the facility saying it would expand “trade and commerce opportunities for the whole region.”
The new facility will create six new direct jobs and hundreds of flow-on jobs in cargo handling, warehousing and distribution.
“This investment will bolster the economic role of the precinct and ensures we can meet the growing demands of e-commerce and trade, driving efficiency and creating new jobs in the region,” Ari said.
Once operational, the number of trucks currently transporting freight between Avalon Airport and Melbourne Airport will be halved with more packages and parcels going out directly from Avalon.
In the financial year ending June 2023, Avalon Airport handled over 10,000 tonnes of cargo. Once operational the new 24/7 facility will give the site the capacity to process 100,000 tonnes of cargo each year including both domestic and international freight.
With advanced scanning technology, the facility will make Avalon one of the first airports in Australia to comply with the new Border Force security screening standards.
The facility will be located in the Greater Avalon Employment precinct which is already home to distribution centres for large businesses such as Australia Post, Cotton On and Petstock.
Melbourne Avalon Airport is wholly owned by Fox Group Holdings.