NHULUNBUY – Woolworths has confirmed it is considering leaving the remote Northern Territory town of Nhulunbuy by mid-2027 after discovering that its most remote supermarket is in fact remote.
The store – the only supermarket within a 1,500-kilometre radius – has operated on Yolŋu Country since 1972. All stock arrives by ocean barge in a journey of several days. Woolworths says the upcoming closure of Rio Tinto’s bauxite mine raises “viability concerns.”
A company spokesperson issued a statement expressing the corporation’s deep respect for the community while also gently explaining that respect does not ship well by barge.
“We understand the importance of providing certainty” the spokesperson said. “That’s why we are providing the certainty that we will probably leave.”
Yolŋu traditional owners travelled to Canberra this week to meet with federal ministers about the town’s future. The delegation reportedly spent several hours explaining that people still live there.
The Northern Territory Government has appointed an assistant minister for the Nhulunbuy Transition. Local MP Yiŋiya Guyula said he was disappointed the government had not done more to retain businesses or plan for what comes after the mine closes.
“We’ve been here for 40,000 years. The mine’s been here for 50. The supermarket has decided 50 is long enough” Mr Guyula reportedly observed.
A government spokesperson confirmed that a consultation process was underway and would conclude sometime after the problem had resolved itself.
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