Vital NT store re-opened
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The Federal Government says new funding will help address food insecurity in remote First Nations communities.
Outback Stores, a government-owned company, has provided over $260,000 in financial assistance, including $60,000 for stock purchases and more than $200,000 for infrastructure improvements, enabling the re-opening of the Janyima local store.
The re-opening comes in response to a request from the Bulla community, located 60 kilometres from Timber Creek in the Northern Territory, which had faced significant challenges accessing basic necessities.
First Nations communities in remote areas often rely on local stores for more than 90 per cent of their food, with the next closest store sometimes hundreds of kilometres away.
For Bulla, this store is vital, especially for those without transport, according to Bulla Store Director Shadrack Retchdford.
“Our residents now don’t need to travel to Timber Creek to get food and particularly the ones that have no transport will now have access to essential items within the community,” she said.
The store’s closure had left Bulla vulnerable to food shortages, especially during the wet season, when flooding cut off access to supplies.
During these times, the community relied on food drops.
With the store back in operation, it aims to provide a sustainable solution for food security in the region.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, emphasised the importance of this initiative, noting that many small communities struggle to keep stores open due to long transport distances and high operating costs.
“Outback Stores assist communities as part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to long-term, sustainable solutions to support food security in remote First Nations communities,” McCarthy said.
Outback Stores operates in 55 locations across remote Australia, working to ensure access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.
In many cases, stores in remote communities are not financially viable without external support, making government intervention critical.
Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari, says that the lack of access to nutritious meals often leads to higher rates of illness and disease in remote Aboriginal communities.
“Good nutrition is essential for good health and strong futures,” Scrymgour said.
The re-opening of the Janyima store serves as a key development in ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in remote areas.
Outback Stores CEO, Michael Borg, says the company remains committed to supporting the Bulla community store and working closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency on broader food security strategies.