Designed today, ready for tomorrow

Designed today, ready for tomorrow

As supply chains become more complex and customer expectations continue to evolve, the most effective developments are those designed not only for immediate performance, but for long-term relevance.

At Goodman’s Redbank Motorway Estate, a leading industrial estate located off the Ipswich Motorway in south west Brisbane, construction is underway on Officeworks’ new omnichannel distribution centre, a project shaped by long-term thinking, close collaboration and a shared commitment to adaptability. 

From site selection through to detailed design, the Queensland facility has been conceived as a strategic investment in future capability, supporting business growth, while remaining flexible enough to evolve over time.

Designing beyond today’s demand  

From the outset, the project was guided by a clear ambition to create infrastructure that would continue to perform well into the future.

Rather than responding solely to current operational needs, the Goodman and Officeworks teams jointly focused on designing a facility that could accommodate change, whether driven by shifts in customer behaviour, technology or the scale of the business itself.

The new flagship facility, featuring 77,100 sqm of floor area - roughly four times the size of the MCG playing field - will replace Officeworks’ existing 47,000 sqm site.

Hugh Bryant, Head of Supply Chain Transformation and Optimisation, explains Officeworks’ goal was always to think beyond short-term capacity.

“This is a significant investment for Officeworks, and we were aligned from the outset that this needed to be a long-term facility,” says Bryant.

“When you’re making an investment at this scale, the last thing you want is to run out of capacity in five to ten years. The focus here is providing capability for the next ten years and beyond.”

A strategically connected location  

Site selection played a defining role in delivering on that vision.

Redbank Motorway Estate was chosen for its around-the-clock connectivity to key motorways and arterial roads, providing efficient access to Officeworks’ customer and store network while strengthening the resilience of its logistics operations. 

The site supports faster, more reliable movement of goods and positions the facility to service both in-store and online fulfillment effectively.

Officeworks chose Redbank Motorway Estate for its connectivity, direct access to major transport routes and strong alignment with its existing network. 

When scale is a design decision  

Set across a 12.9-hectare site, the scale of the facility is intentional.

Designed as a true omnichannel operation, the distribution centre will support both store replenishment and online fulfilment, incorporating advanced automation and next-generation robotics. The layout prioritises efficiency, reduces manual handling and increases speed to customer, while allowing flexibility as demand patterns shift.

Importantly, the scale of the site enables growth without compromising performance, ensuring the facility can evolve alongside the business it supports.

Avoiding tomorrow’s constraints, today

Future-proofing was embedded early in the design process.

By planning for capacity well beyond current requirements, the Goodman and Officeworks teams avoided the risk of future constraints that can limit operational performance or require costly and time-consuming retrofitting. Instead, adaptability has been built into the structure and layout of the facility itself, allowing Officeworks to respond to change without disruption.

This approach reflects a broader shift in supply chain infrastructure, moving from single-purpose facilities toward assets designed to remain relevant across multiple operational scenarios.

Collaboration as a design tool  

While the physical attributes of the project are significant, both teams point to the strength of the partnership as a key driver of the project’s success.

From the commencement of detailed design, Goodman and Officeworks worked transparently around a shared framework of objectives, aligning commercial, operational and design priorities. This close collaboration enabled informed decision-making and ensured long-term outcomes remained central throughout the process.

Performance with responsibility built in

Sustainability considerations have also been integrated throughout the Redbank development.

The building is targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating and will incorporate a rooftop solar PV system, rainwater reuse for irrigation and amenities, and energy-efficient design features across the site. These initiatives support long-term operational efficiency while aligning with both organisations’ commitment to responsible development.

A facility designed to evolve

Scheduled for completion in mid-2026, the Officeworks omnichannel distribution centre is expected to support hundreds of local jobs during construction and once operational, alongside training and development opportunities for team members.

More broadly, the project sets a benchmark for future-focused industrial development, demonstrating how long-term thinking, strong partnerships and intelligent design can deliver infrastructure that remains adaptable, efficient and relevant over time.

Together, Goodman and Officeworks are delivering more than a distribution centre. A future-ready asset has been designed to support the next decade of supply chain performance.