Coles Automated Distribution Centre

Site Owner: Goodman
Contractor: Richard Crookes Construction
Project Manager: TMX Transform
Location: Kemps Creek, NSW
Services: Fire Engineering

To meet the growing demand for supermarket commodities, a state-of-the-art automated distribution centre was completed in 2024 to support Coles’ operations in the NSW market.

The facility’s automation, designed overseas by WITRON, integrates multiple systems across various operational zones, including high-bay installations. It employs both pallet-type and mini-load systems to accommodate the diverse range of goods being handled.

The automation infrastructure is supported by six extensive mezzanine platforms, designed to facilitate maintenance and error correction. A thorough fire engineering assessment, including an investigation of failure mechanisms, enabled the use of unprotected steel elements in their construction.

CORE worked closely with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) through numerous meetings to enhance their understanding of the facility’s complexities, particularly regarding emergency intervention. This collaboration resulted in a bespoke emergency management plan that incorporated FRNSW’s requirements. The performance-based fire safety design successfully balanced Coles’ operational needs with FRNSW’s intervention strategies,