Midwest Logistics Hub sets a new standard for industrial estates

Our next-generation Midwest Logistics Hub is still at earthworks stage, but Industrial Delivery Manager Dom Meese is already excited about what a game-changer it will be for the industrial property sector.

The 60-hectare master-planned estate sets a new benchmark in Australian warehouse and logistics facilities thanks to its state-of-the-art design features and sustainability initiatives. Once complete it will underscore our position as market leaders in Melbourne, where we already have the city’s largest industrial portfolio.

“This is the last large parcel in the established industrial area of Truganina, and we’re offering leases of up to 70,000sqm,’’ says Dom. “Anyone with a requirement of over 30,000sqm has very limited options in that area, so it will appeal to large multinationals and other big logistics companies.’’

Midwest Logistics Hub’s large sites and location, so close to the city and the Port of Melbourne, and with multiple access points to the Princes Freeway, Western Ring Road and Western Freeway, make it unique. But its cutting-edge planning and design make it truly special.

“Because it's a greenfield site, we have an opportunity to make it truly next-generational,’’ says Dom. “Most traditional and older logistics sites are typically aesthetically industrial, consisting predominantly of warehouses, trucks and lots of concrete. At MidWest, we're looking to create a business estate where our tenant customers feel they are part of a community. An estate that provides amenities and sustainability features not found in your traditional logistics estate.’’

Once fully built out, Midwest Logistics Hub could accommodate over 2000 people daily and attract a large number of visitors. To cater to all their needs, it will include a wide range of facilities and amenities seldom seen in industrial estates.

“We're investigating the viability of a hotel on site, along with with a community area and shared office space,’’ says Dom. “We expect our tenants will host colleagues from interstate or overseas and this will offer them a convenient place to stay, and from which to work.

“For those living locally we are currently investigating whether there's any scope to provide an on-site childcare centre. We're also looking at small-format retail such as cafes, and we want to provide office space for ancillary businesses such as our CBRE Facilities Management team so they can be based on site to quickly respond to our tenants’ needs.’’

Sustainability considerations are central to the planning of Midwest Logistics Hub, as they are to all our projects today.

“Three to four years ago, sustainability in industrial wasn’t a consideration, It was more of an office-sector, inner-city CBD building issue,’’ says Dom. “But now it's definitely at the forefront of our investors’ and tenants’ minds and an essential part of all our industrial developments.’’ 

For every new project we evaluate all sustainable options, from high-efficiency LED lighting to embedded power networks, alternate or co-generated power systems, use of recycled materials, rainwater harvesting and sensitive design and landscaping. 

“We have the mandate to install solar on the roof of every warehouse we build in this estate,’’ says Dom. “Payback periods are at a level that makes solar a no-brainer for us and our tenants, and we're happy to work with them by providing a capital outlay toward the system if they require it, or paying for it outright where they do not require it.’’

Gardens and landscaping will be critical to making Midwest Logistics Hub a truly welcoming workplace.

“We envisage our landscaping to be second to none—the aim is to create a space that feels more like a business and community estate rather than a traditional industrial estate,’’ says Dom.  

“For example, we are looking at ways to incorporate a jogging track around the estate. It would be pretty exciting if I returned to the site one day and saw people out exercising and enjoying green spaces in an industrial zone!’’

The Midwest Logistics Hub is expected to be fully built out within the next two to three years, and once complete will be the jewel in the crown of the Charter Hall Prime Industrial Fund, our largest industrial fund.

With the first tenant already on board - a large global 3PL provider - the hub is expected to appeal to a wide range of warehouse and distribution operators including e-commerce, last-mile distributors and large multinationals.

“We've probably got close to 50 hectares’ worth of inquiry in the market at the moment. so we expect it to fill out quickly,’’ says Dom.