By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Geelong has lost its Target headquarters, with its 900 jobs.
Target senior management announced on Thursday the headquarters would be moving “in a year or so” to an unspecified location in Melbourne’s west.
Up to 25 per cent of jobs will be axed and the remaining jobs would go with the relocation.
Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder said a voluntary redundancy process would be put in place.
Staff at the Thompsons Road, North Geelong, headquarters were told on Thursday.
Mr Goyder said the number of jobs to go had not yet been finalised but expected them to be less than the 25 per cent being rumoured in the last few days.
He said the move was being made to attract quality staff and drive change through the poorly performing business.
Mr Goyder said he hoped the site could be rezoned and turned into a shopping centre.
The Australian Services Union condemned the announcement to close the Geelong Head Office Support Centre.
Victorian Private Sector branch secretary Ingrid Stitt said the move was “a complete disgrace”, impacting the lives of more than 900 workers.
“Just this morning, the union called for an urgent meeting to discuss management’s plans following media speculation that one in four jobs were to be axed,” Ms Stitt said.
“Now we find out that they are walking away from the Geelong community altogether. Geelong can ill afford another blow to the local economy like this.
“It is utterly reprehensible that workers at Target are the ones paying the price for the highly questionable business practices of the former management team with suppliers, aimed at boosting profits.
“We fail to see how relocating to Melbourne at great expense will help turn around the company.
“This is a dark day for Geelong and the wider Geelong community.”
The ASU said it would meet with members and Target management on Friday.
Ms Stitt said the union would demand details about the company’s plans including the likely number of jobs impacted, and why this decision was taken at all.
Mayor Darryn Lyons said he was deeply disappointed and disheartened to hear the “sad news”.
“Target has been part of the fabric and tradition of Geelong since 1925, when founder George Lindsay opened his first store here.
“I understand this is a business decision, but that does not make it any easier for our region.
“Most importantly, my thoughts are with the many hundreds of Target employees and their families who will be impacted by this decision.”
