Construction has started at the new $1bn Deer Park Estate in Melbourne’s west with Asahi Beverages named as the first tenants, making use of the space for its brand-new distribution centre.
The 340,000sqm industrial estate located 15km west of Melbourne’s CBD was first announced in February 2024 and is owned by $160bn superannuation fund UniSuper.
The centre will take around three years to complete and will help provide more efficient service to customers.
Asahi confirmed it is a key step simplifying its Victorian warehousing and distribution network and does not affect any manufacturing operations.
Once complete, it will offer state-of-the art facilities with strategic links via arterial roads to Melbourne’s planned intermodal freight precincts, the Port of Melbourne, Melbourne Airport, and other industrial and retail precincts.
To mark the start of construction, Asahi Beverages General Manager of Manufacturing Project Delivery, Adrian Benson today attended a sod-turning event with Nick Stephens from UniSuper, Luke Wilson from developer HB+B Property and Chris Davis from real estate investment manager, The GPT Group.
Benson commented on Asahi’s long-term investment in efficiency and sustainability with the construction of the centre.
“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 Victoria.
“More than 95 per cent 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,” said Benson
He added: “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.”
The GPT Group’s Davis also commented on the ideal location and the benefits of the strategic partnership for major stakeholders.
“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,” he said.
While UniSuper’s Stephens welcomed Asahi to the industrial precinct 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.”
With Asahi’s investment signalling value in the site, HB+B Property’s Wilson said this presents opportunities for further development and tenancies in the region.
“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.”