Council lobbies Target, seeks alternatives

Narrabri Shire Council has been in contact with the managing director of Target Australia regarding the decision to close the Narrabri Target Country store.

Council stated its disappointment with their decision and expressed the inherent need for the provision of the essential items that the Target Country store provides to the wider community.

Council brought to their attention key economic data for the Narrabri Shire, proving the economic viability for their business long term, as well as the results of the community petition that had over 1300 signatories.

It was clear from the responses to the petition that an overwhelming 97 per cent of respondents supported the store remaining open.

Ninety four per cent of respondents were in support of a small format Kmart to replace the Target Country store should the current format not be viable.

Eighty seven per cent of responses were from the Narrabri Shire. Responses were provided from all Shire towns and villages. Six per cent of responses were from neighbouring towns and shires who travel significant distances to shop for essential items at the Narrabri store.

Mayor Cathy Redding indicated she had received a reply from the managing director of Target Australia who has confirmed their decision is final and that it was ‘not driven by short term profits and returns’.

“While I am disappointed, I am not surprised at the response from Target,” Cr Redding said.

“Target Australia had made their decision based off their own criteria to determine which stores would close.

“The criteria does not consider individual community situations such as the lack of accessibility of these essential items without these stores in our regional towns.

“The objective of the petition and the submission I sent to the Managing Director of Target was to demonstrate the driving economic factors that would clearly justify the existence of the Narrabri Target Country store and its viability to become a small format Kmart based on patronage and support demonstrated from the petition.

“The information we have obtained from the community and the economic benefits of the Shire will be used to lobby other businesses that may fill this gap left by Wesfarmers.

“While we can’t make the decision for Wesfarmers, we certainly can use our strengths to open our shire to new investments from other interested businesses – be that local businesses looking to fill the gap or businesses looking to establish in our Shire.”