Wilcannia co-op a step closer

Wilcannia is closer to having a co-op that would foster small businesses in the town.

The process towards starting a co-op began at the end of last year when the town's only supermarket closed for a week when the owner was injured.

Centacare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO Phil Lawler has been leading the process after being asked to do so by Fair Trading NSW to ensure food security in the town.

He says a recent meeting in Wilcannia about the co-op was very positive and another will be held later this month.

"I think across the town people have now said 'enough is enough, we want to grab these opportunities, we want to create small businesses or small enterprises'," Mr Lawler said.

"It creates employment for people, the money stays in the town."

Mr Lawler says the co-op will not compete with the local supermarket but will instead help people who are struggling to buy food.

"People are struggling to get fresh produce or their means of purchase is limited, and so we're supporting those people in the community, but in its current form and for the foreseeable future it would not be a commercial level arrangement," he said.

The owner of the Wilcannia supermarket was contacted for comment.

Source: ABC News 7 May 2013