MORE than 150 new Ipswich jobs will be created next year when retailing giant The Reject Shop opens its new distribution centre at Citiswich Business Park.

Managing director Chris Bryce said the centre would be the cornerstone for the discount retailer’s push into Queensland.

“The cornerstone of our expansion strategy is the construction of our distribution centre at Ipswich, which we are expecting to be operational by July 2010, and employ 150 people,” Mr Bryce said.

“Once our Ipswich distribution centre has opened, we are planning to significantly expand our Queensland store network across the state from our existing footprint of 21 stores.”

He said they expected to advertise for the new jobs early next year.

Construction on the 26,000sqm building started in June and is six weeks ahead of schedule.

Walker Corporation’s Citiswich project manager Ben Hamilton said the $1 billion estate’s proximity to Brisbane and major highways meant it was a drawcard for businesses looking to establish distribution centres.