And retail stores in regional Australia.
Narrabri Council calls for major retailers to close the regional retail gap in a new campaign #BringBackSocksAndJocks.
The campaign highlights the concern of residents in the Narrabri Shire who are unable to buy affordable cotton essentials such as bras, socks or jocks.
Narrabri Mayor Darrell Tiemens said the campaign is about more than socks and jocks, it’s also about closing the retail gap between regional and metro areas.
“It’s time retailers recognised the growing need in regions like ours,” Tiemens said.
“Narrabri Shire produces the cotton that clothes the country, yet our families are driving hours just to buy socks and undies. We’re not asking for luxury – we’re asking for basics.”
The campaign follows locals taking drastic steps in making their own clothes from the raw cotton available in the region.
It asks why regional and rural Australians, who help drive billions in export and industry value, should be left behind when it comes to buying clothes in their own communities.
"Narrabri grows the nation’s fibre, quite literally. So, the idea that we can't even buy socks and jocks in town? It’s laughable,” Tiemens said.
“We've had a bit of fun highlighting the issue, but the message is serious: it's time for a major retailer to come back and support us.”
Narrabri is home to almost 13,000 people and generates an annual economic output of almost $6 billion, according to the Narrabri Council.
They support more than 6,900 jobs across industries including cotton, grain, wool, beef, coal mining and gas.
The region contributes approximately 11.6% of the national cotton production.
“As an economically strong and resilient community, we are more than contributing to the nation’s bottom line,” Narrabri Shire general manager Eloise Chaplain said.
“We have a stable workforce, a growing population, and a 20-year rezoning strategy to deliver 2,100 new homes and a vibrant new CBD centre.
“This is the ideal environment for a major retailer ready to expand.”
