Essential goods security

The Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations works closely with remote stores to ensure communities have reliable access to essential goods such as food, water and household items during the wet season when supply can be disrupted.

In many remote areas, the local store is the main source of everyday essentials.

That’s why the department focuses on supporting stores to stay prepared, resilient and well-stocked.

What we do

Find out what we do to support communities.

Partnering with remote stores

We work directly with store managers to plan ahead and respond quickly to challenges like:

• wet season isolation
• road closures
• supply delays.

Supporting store preparedness

We help stores prepare for high-risk weather season by encouraging:

• strong seasonal planning
• emergency preparedness
• adequate stock levels before isolation
• reliable infrastructure and backup systems.

Maintaining essential supplies

We support stores to ensure they:

• keep enough essential goods to meet community needs
• stock up ahead of expected disruptions
• store goods safely to prevent damage or spoilage.

Using data to stay ahead

The department collects information from stores to monitor stock levels and supply risks. This helps us:

• identify potential shortages early
• respond quickly when issues arise
• support better planning across the Territory.

Building stronger stores

We provide tools, guidance and training to:

• help stores improve operations
• strengthen resilience
• deliver better outcomes for their communities.

Connecting stores to funding

We can work with stores to explore funding and support programs to improve infrastructure, increase storage and strengthen supply systems.

Shared responsibility

Ensuring essential goods security is a shared effort.

Stores are responsible for maintaining stock and daily operations, and the department provides support, coordination and resources.

Together, we help remote communities stay supplied, even in challenging conditions

Our commitment

The department is committed to working in partnership with remote stores and communities to ensure essential goods remain available, accessible and reliable across the Northern Territory during the wet season.

Resources

For more information, read:

• communication during an emergency PDF (170.3 KB)
• freight assistance guide PDF (551.7 KB)
• guidelines for essential goods security PDF (1.9 MB)
• issues and response guide PDF (3.3 MB)
• store manager wet season readiness guide PDF (1.6 MB).

Contact us

For more information or support, email emergencymanagement.dtbar@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 7891.