As the Port of Brisbane announced that it has once again delivered strong trade volumes for FY25, it also highlighted ongoing, sustainable developments that are bringing increased economic activity to the port precinct. Notably, the Port drew attention to a cutting-edge facility for the Electrolux Group – the first tenant to open this year within Stage 2 of its Port West industrial estate – in Lytton on Brisbane’s Bayside.
Targeting a 6-Star Green Star rating (v1.3) from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the facility includes rooftop solar, low-carbon concrete, and a striking timber structure crafted from Glulam and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), positioning it as the Port’s most sustainable development to date.
The Port sees this purpose-built distribution and Experience Centre – delivered by PBPL in collaboration with the Electrolux Group, JLL, McNab, Johnstaff, Sparc Architects, and Northrop Consulting Engineers – as a significant milestone in the estate’s expansion and sustainability ambitions.
The new 21,255 square metre facility sits on a 4.22 hectare site and includes warehouse space, a premium Experience Centre, a two-storey office, a repair workshop, a hardstand/truck apron, and car parking. Through PBPL’s embedded energy network within Port West stage 2, Electrolux Group will also have access to 100% renewable power for its operations.
Other sustainability measures include water efficiency and recycling initiatives, which capture rainwater for use in bathrooms and workshop appliance testing, as well as the recycling of water used for fire system testing. Additional elements include a Building Management System (BMS) and an optimised design, which reduced embodied carbon wherever possible.
PBPL CEO Neil Stephens said at the launch earlier this year that “the arrival of the Electrolux Group, to Port West Stage 2 marks the beginning of a new benchmark in sustainability at the Port of Brisbane”.
“Taking direction from Electrolux Group’s sustainability ambitions, the project pushed the boundaries of what sustainable development looks like in an industrial setting. We’re proud of what we’ve been able to deliver on this project, collaborating with our long-standing delivery partners to achieve both design and embodied carbon reduction outcomes that were beyond our expectations”, according to Stephens.
At the opening of the facility, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand for Electrolux Group, Kurt Hegvold, said: “We’re ensuring our Queensland operations continue to provide amazing experiences for our consumers and customers and, importantly, an outstanding workplace for our employees”.
“I extend our gratitude to the Port of Brisbane, JLL and the many partners who enabled us to deliver on this project, a testament to our sustainability commitment for the future.”
The site features an advanced Experience Centre capable of hosting events for up to 150 guests, showcasing Electrolux appliances in action with live cooking demonstrations by leading chefs. An emphasis was placed on employee well-being at the site, which features several outdoor spaces and terraces that capitalise on the unique riverfront setting at Port West.
JLL Project and Development Services (PDS) Industrial Sector Lead, Brian O’Connell, who oversaw the project’s delivery, said ambitions for the 6-star rating played out across the entire build. “From our earliest discussions, Electrolux Group was very clear that they wanted to achieve a maximum Green Star rating,” Mr O’Connell said, placing a firm focus on initiatives such as the procurement and use of products and materials with sustainable credentials.
“The most striking example of this was the Cross-Laminated Timber that was used in the main office and Experience Centre. It stands out as an innovative design element in an industrial setting, and it also highlights Electrolux Group’s leadership in sustainability.”
Port West is home to a growing community of global and national businesses, including Bunnings, Fisher & Paykel, and Steelforce. Stage 2’s strategic location, adjacent to Stage 1 of the estate and just six kilometres from the Port of Brisbane’s terminals, ensures cost-effective first- and last-mile transport with direct access to global trade networks.
The new Port West facility strengthens Electrolux Group’s operational footprint in Queensland, supporting the distribution of products under its well-known brands – including Electrolux, Westinghouse, and AEG – to households across Australia. The site reflects the company’s focus on long-term investment, local employment, and sustainable growth.
