Tennant Creekâs only supermarket destroyed by fire, as work gets under way to keep region supplied with food
TENNANT Creek, a town of about 3000 residents, is now without a grocery store after it was engulfed in flames on Sunday night, but plans are under way to ensure the township and surrounding stations and communities have access to essential foods and goods.
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TENNANT Creek, a town of about 3000 residents, is now without a grocery store after it was engulfed in flames on Sunday night.
It’s estimated about $900,000 worth of stock at the Tennant Creek IGA was destroyed in the fire, which police are treating as suspicious.
Plans are under way to ensure the Barkly township and surrounding stations and communities have access to essential foods and goods.
The nearest supermarket is a five-hour drive away in Alice Springs.
There are plans to open a temporary store at the BP servo but it is unclear when that will happen.
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The IGA is Indigenous run and owned and managed by IRAM, whose chief executive John Kop said the fire was devastating for the employees and town.
“Our heartfelt sorrow that this has happened and the sadness for the town people. The Barkly region has been through lots and they are a resilient group and they will bounce back,” Mr Kop said.
“It’s a difficult situation because you need a lot of refrigeration and racking to hold the food.”
Mr Kop said the loss of the supermarket meant many people’s jobs were now affected, including an apprentice butcher and 11 Indigenous staff members.
Authorities are working with the owners of the IGA to ensure access to food is not impeded.
A Trade, Business and Innovation Department spokeswoman said a small fruit and veg mini mart had been set up at the United Service Station until the supermarket owners could set up a temporary store at the BP servo.
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NT Fire and Rescue Services were called to the scene of the large fire on the main street of Tennant Creek on Sunday at 7.25pm.
Police are calling for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them on 131 444 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
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