Politicians try to broker outcome for Tennant Creek’s only hardware store amid closure plan

With the final day of trading looming for one Territory town’s only hardware store, the owners have been called to an “urgent” meeting to hash out the store’s future – but a key player is yet to commit.

Left: Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist. Centre: Barkly Hardware and Gas. Right: Barkly MLA Steve Edgington.

A local pollie is pushing for the only hardware store in one Territory town to be sold and not shut, with an “urgent” meeting set take place early next year to determine the store’s future.

Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist has requested an “urgent” meeting with Centrecorp Aboriginal Corporation and Julalikari Aboriginal Corporation, who both jointly own Tennant Creek’s only dedicated hardware store.

Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist. Picture: Facebook

The request for the meeting comes a week after a letter emerged online, signed by Centrecorp Aboriginal Investment Corporation chief executive Randle Walker, which stated Barkly Hardware and Gas will shut January 31, 2025.

Centrecorp has a 50 per cent stake in the store.

This masthead understands three casuals were sacked from the store hours after the decision was made.

Following the release of the letter, Barkly MLA Steve Edgington said he wrote to Julalikari Aboriginal Corporation – which owns the other 50 per cent stake – “to suggest selling the store rather than closing it”.

Barkly MLA Steve Edgington. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“I suggested that if Julalikari no longer want to operate Barkly Hardware and Gas that they consider putting the store on the market for sale,” Mr Edgington said.

The purpose of the meeting, set to take place in early January, is to understand why the decision to shut the store was made, to see if any alternative options are available, and to find out how staff are being supported, Mr Vashist said.

Mr Vashist said Julalikari was prepared to come to the table to meet next year ahead of the store’s closure, however, he was yet to receive confirmation from Centrecorp.

“Randle hasn’t responded to me at all about this and his name was obviously on the letter. I’ve written directly … I’m hoping to give him some credit – I’m hoping he will respond,” he said.

“I’m hoping that a response does happen within this month even though we have Christmas and public holidays in the mix.

“It’s a time critical notice of closure provided by Randle, being the chairman for the Barkly Hardware joint venture.”

Barkly Hardware and Gas, Tennant Creek. Picture: Facebook/ Sid Vashist

Mr Walker did not respond to queries from this masthead by deadline.

Julalikari Chair Tony Miles confirmed the meeting will take place “early” January, and said he did not want to make any further comment until the meeting took place.

In 2022, Barkly Hardware and Gas was sold for $850,000 by Andrews Property.

Mr Vashist said the store closing could see Tennant Creek residents forced to go to Alice Springs or even Katherine to get their hardware supplies.

“We have some businesses who have already stepped up locally, like No Worries Nursery,” he said.

“They’re going to stock up, but they tell me that they clearly cannot stock the variety that’s actually on offer at Barkly Hardware and Gas,” he said.