The Reject Shop has joined other major corporates to re-locate their operations to Walker Corporation's $1 billion Citiswich Business Park in Ipswich, last week opening its new Queensland distribution centre at the estate.

The Reject Shop is Australia's largest discount variety brand with 196 stores across the country and the opening of its new distribution centre underpins the company's Queensland growth strategy.

The Reject Shop plans to eventually quadruple its presence in Queensland as part of its long term growth target of 400 stores nationally, with the new Citiswich Distribution Centre having the capacity to service 200 stores.

Walker Corporation completed the project on time and on budget, having commenced construction of the 26,000sqm facility in March 2009.

The Managing Director of The Reject Shop, Chris Bryce, said: "Ipswich was a the logical location for our new Distribution Centre because of its strong labour market and strategic location on road networks, providing us the opportunity to service stores from metropolitan Sydney through to Queensland.

Executive Chairman of Walker Corporation, Lang Walker, said that it was extremely rewarding to have a major retailer like The Reject Shop open their doors at Citiswich.

"It goes to show that Citiswich is a smart business destination. Major national companies like The Reject Shop and API realise that by locating at Citiswich, they're setting their business up to prosper over the long-term.

"The site is located on major national highways, it is surrounded by a large blue & white-collar workforce, and the western corridor region offers the best economic and population growth of anywhere in South-East Queensland," said Mr Walker.

"Major government investment in transport infrastructure is also driving businesses to the estate – the completion of transport upgrades in the western corridor region has dramatically slashed travel times to key centres like the Port and CBD, reducing transport costs and improving overall business efficiency. These upgrades directly benefit businesses at Citiswich," he added.

The Reject Shop joins Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, Capral Aluminium, KSB, ThoroughClean, Caltex, and Australian Wood Panels at the estate. A further 200,000sqm of land at the estate is currently under negotiation.

"Things are picking up pace at Citiswich, we're fielding enquiries from large and small businesses from a wide range of industries for land sales, pre-leases and turnkey solutions" said Mr Walker.

Citiswich has zoned, serviced land, ready to commence construction with lots from 2,000sqm to 150,000sqm+ available for sale, lease or turnkey property solutions.

Citiswich Business Park forms part of a $3 billion portfolio of industrial projects that Walker Corporation is completing in growth centres around the nation, including the new 30 hectare North Point Business Park in Murrumba Downs on Brisbane's northside.

DRAFT PRESS RELEASE