A DECISION on whether Millicent’s supermarkets will be able to open around the clock will be made today by Treasurer Rob Lucas as the State Government continues to manage the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week the State Government lifted regulations which restrict Adelaide’s supermarkets from opening 24/7, saying the move would provide “much needed flexibility for both consumers and retailers as they manage the ongoing impact of coronavirus”.
Mr Lucas has sought feedback from Millicent’s regulated stores, Wattle Range Council and the Millicent Business Community Association before making a determination to expand the 24-hour week day trading option to Millicent.
The exemption will allow Millicent’s three regulated stores – Target Country, Woolworths and Foster’s Foodland – to open 24 hours on weekdays, midnight to 9pm on Saturdays and 9am to 9pm on Sundays.
Mr Lucas said he was aware of “some criticism” about the inability of Millicent residents to get certain staples after 6pm on weekdays.
“One person did recount to me that it was slightly ironic that in this town that manufactures toilet paper for the rest of Australia, they could not get a roll after 6pm in Millicent,” he said.
“The coronavirus has brought all of this to a head in terms of the irrational and unacceptable behaviour of many shoppers in terms of panic buying and behaving in a way many of us are horrified at.”
Mr Lucas said he will consider all feedback before making a decision today.
Restrictions have been put in place across Millicent’s two regulated supermarkets – Foster’s Foodland and Woolworths – following unprecedented demand on staple products.
Woolworths has implemented a two-item limit on most item limit on most packaged items and follows the store issuing a one pack limit on toilet paper, baby wipes, antibacterial wipes, paper towels, pasta and rice.
Shoppers at Foster’s Foodland are required to provide identification at the counter if wanting to purchase toilet paper following mass purchases by non-Limestone Coast residents.
Toilet paper is only available to individuals residing in the 5280 area code.
Foster’s Foodland manager Dave Foster said the store had implemented other measures of control, including establishing a station at the front of the store to distribute flour, sugar and pasta to customers.
“The demand from local customers for toilet paper was so high and we needed to do something to make sure they were looked after,” he said.
“The store has been cleaned out by other people and the only way I could make sure locals were able to get what they needed was to make a rule only people in the 5280 area could buy toilet paper.”
Mr Foster did not however support extending shopping hours, labelling the move as “stupid”.
“My staff are absolutely stuffed at the moment, I could not ask them to do a late shift,” he said.
“They will be exposed to an extra 12 hours of work a day and people need rest.
“My staff have been fantastic as they always are, but it has not been easy.”
Woolworths recently trimmed its trading hours, shutting its doors at 6pm on Thursday nights instead of the regular time of 9pm.
For the second consecutive week, the Davenport Street store is also shutting its doors to regular shoppers until 8am.
However, its is allowing the elderly and disabled pensioners to shop between 7am and 8am.
More than 60 people flocked to the supermarket at dawn on Thursday.
A Woolworths spokesperson did not confirm whether it had provided feedback to Mr Lucas, but said the store was looking at the trading hours week to week and “will adjust according to the needs of the community”.
“Flexibility is key,” the spokesperson said.
Millicent Business Community Association chair Lee Morgan said extended trading hours would help residents maintain a safe distance while shopping.
“There was no way we were not going to support this,” he said.
“We have to keep our social distance and if that means shopping around the clock, we have to do it.”
Wattle Range Council chief executive Ben Gower said the move “makes sense given the unique circumstances we are currently facing”.
