Construction has started at the new $1 billion Deer Park Estate in Melbourne’s west, with building underway for a new distribution centre for Australia’s leading beverages company Asahi Beverages.
The 340,000sqm industrial estate – located 15km west of Melbourne’s CBD – was announced in February 2024 and is owned by $160 billion superannuation fund UniSuper. Once complete, it will offer state-of-the art facilities with unequalled strategic links via arterial roads to Melbourne’s planned intermodal freight precincts, the Port of Melbourne, Melbourne Airport, other industrial and retail precincts and households.
To mark the start of construction, Asahi Beverages GM Manufacturing C Project Delivery Adrian Benson today attended a sod-turning event with Nick Stephens from site owner UniSuper, Luke Wilson from developer HB+B Property and Chris Davis from real estate investment manager, The GPT Group.
Asahi’s new distribution centre will take around three years to complete and will help provide more efficient service to Asahi customers. It is a key step in Asahi simplifying its Victorian warehousing and distribution network and does not affect any manufacturing operations.
Ǫuote attributable to Adrian Benson, GM Manufacturing C Project Delivery, Asahi Beverages:
“The location of the Deer Park Estate and its easy access to nearby major roads makes this a highly strategic location for our new distribution centre.
“It will increase the efficiency and productivity of Asahi’s operations. We’re pleased to be making this long-term commitment to Victorian manufacturing.
“More than 95% of the beverages we sell in Australia are made by us in Australia, with the new distribution centre meaning more customers can receive our full range of alcohol and non- alcohol beverages faster and more efficiently, with one order, one payment and delivery on one truck.
“The more efficient distribution routes created by the project will also create sustainability benefits, including the expected reduction of Asahi’s CO2 emissions from trucks.”
Among other sustainability features, the new building being delivered is targeting a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating, representing Australian excellence in better, healthier and more responsible buildings.
Ǫuote attributable to Chris Davis, Head of Logistics, The GPT Group:
“Deer Park Estate presents an opportunity to create a state-of-the-art super prime logistics estate that sets a new standard in innovation for warehousing, is ideally located, and improves the tenants’ operational experience. Together with UniSuper, we share a partnership that sees us grow our logistics capability that continues to service leading global and local tenants such as Asahi.”
Ǫuote attributable to Nick Stephens, Senior Manager, Property, UniSuper:
“We’re delighted to welcome Asahi as the first tenant to the Deer Park Estate. The super prime estate is positioned to deliver much needed modern industrial accommodation within the increasingly constrained West Melbourne industrial precinct, where occupiers are continuing to seek high quality, highly accessible facilities in the face of limited supply. This is a good example of a quality asset that helps our members grow their retirement savings.”
Ǫuote attributable to Luke Wilson, State Development Manager Victoria, HB+B Property: “The commitment of Asahi to Deer Park Estate highlights the quality of the site and its unrivalled location in Melbourne’s west. With immediate access to key highways and transport corridors, Deer Park offers occupiers the most connected logistics address in the region. This is just the first step, with plenty of land still available and flexibility in design to accommodate future tenants’ requirements.”
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