The largest industrial facility in Australia at the time to successfully receive a 4 Star Green Star Rating, as well as the first refrigerated warehouse to receive an industrial Green Star Rating, the Metcash Mega Distribution Centre is a cornerstone project, located at Bungarribee Industrial Estate, Huntingwood.

Comprising a large dry goods warehouse, refrigeration facilities and a multi storey staff and visitor carpark with aerial link bridge to the regional office, this challenging and major project saw our project team effectively coordinate three site teams to deliver a holistic overall solution. The facility also incorporates workshop and battery charge areas, dock levellers, gate house and truck wash facilities, receipt and dispatch satellite offices and accommodation for Metcash’s regional office. Forward thinking, sustainable initiatives were incorporated into the design and delivery, including accredited timber and reductions in water and energy use, and a new jointless fibre reinforced slab, which compared to concrete slab reduces the environmental footprint by 10%.

A German engineered high bay automated racking system that picks without human interaction was a centrepiece of the expansion, used for the first time in Australia. This 25 metre high system required extension of the warehouse, and was installed while the facility remained operational. This proactive approach was a great example of the collaboration with industry, as the fire water test credit was improved. The right team of people working under time constraints ensured timely delivery of this innovative 70,000m2 warehouse space.