Council disappointed by Target Country Kerang closure

Gannawarra Shire Council has written to Wesfarmers to express its disappointment regarding the recent announcement of the closure of Target Country’s Kerang outlet in early 2021.

Wesfarmers – the owners of various retail chains such as Coles, Kmart, Bunnings, Officeworks and Target – announced in May plans to rejuvenate its operations, closing 50 Target Country outlets nationally and converting the remainder into Kmart sites.

“The closure of the Target Country Kerang branch will end a 142-year association with the retail sector in the township, with the outlet located in the former Hawthorne’s Department Store site, which in its heyday was the largest retail outlet in northern Victoria,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“Council is extremely disappointed by Wesfarmers’ decision, and wrote to the company in late May expressing our position and calling on them to reverse their decision.

“Council does not like to see any jobs lost, especially in the current economic environment, and we urged Wesfarmers to work with us to provide some creative options aimed at maintaining the current employees and supporting the local economy.”

Council received a response from Kmart Group General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Tracie Walker at the start of the month, confirming that the company is “unable to revisit the decision to close or explore other options for the Kerang store” and that discussions with other employers are ongoing to find opportunities for staff members impacted by the store’s closure.

“Council will continue to work with the Kerang Traders group and other retailers that would be interested in setting up business in Target Country Kerang site,” Mayor Learmonth said.