A Coles automated distribution centre has the potential to “bring hundreds of new jobs to Dubbo”, according to mayor Ben Shields.
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Dubbo Regional Council understands that the supermarket giant plans to permanently close the doors of some of its existing distribution centres across the next five years and build two automated centres, one in NSW and the other in Queensland.
“No time frame has been set on when this will occur but council made the decision it would be beneficial to send an information package making a case for Dubbo to be considered when Coles does decide to proceed,” Cr Shields told the Daily Liberal.
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“The strategy of the current council and my own belief is that Dubbo should be out there pushing its credentials to potential new businesses rather than waiting for them to approach us and risk not even being considered.”
I have no doubt that Coles would be able to find a parcel of land at a reasonable price that would suit their needs
- Mayor Ben Shields
The mayor said Dubbo’s central location, transport options, plentiful and reasonably-priced industrial land made it worthy of the new state-of-the-art infrastructure.
“You couldn’t find a better place to build a new centre,” he said.
“We are very central with good road and air links to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and Canberra, as well as rail to Sydney and Newcastle as well as the upcoming Inland Rail.
“We also have plenty of industrial land available around the city that would be suitable for such a large-scale facility.
“I have no doubt that Coles would be able to find a parcel of land at a reasonable price that would suit their needs.”
The mayor suggested the establishment of a centre in Dubbo would be a win-win for the city and Coles.
“It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement because it would have the potential to bring hundreds of new jobs to Dubbo and boost the economy, but would also make Coles’ distribution across the entire Eastern seaboard straightforward thanks to Dubbo’s central location,” he said.
The council is pledging to work with Coles to bring the project to Dubbo.
But it must wait to see if the “convincing” information package proves attractive to its recipient.
“I would hope they strongly consider it,’ Cr Shields said.
