Bidyadanga General Store

The Bidyadanga General Store has been in operation since 2001. The business has grown steadily since then and remains an important part of community life in Bidyadanga.

The “Store” is owned and operated by BACLGI. It is an essential service to our community and customers. The store operations provide employment opportunities in the retail and fast-food sectors for our community members. The BACLGI council is the sole shareholder and there is a separate board of directors with council representatives, community members and the BACLGI CEO overseeing the operations of the business.

This management structure allows for community input and control of stock for sale. The policy around what is sold at the store aims at encouraging healthy choices at affordable prices. Based on customer demand, less healthy items are sold at the shop, but these are not subsidised.

Profits from the business are returned to BACLGI each year and then used to provide unfunded community programs and activities. These include the community hardship support program that provides a monthly power allocation to 150-households, food hampers and sorry-time support for families.   

The store sells fuel and some general household items as well as takeaway food and power.

Bidyadanga store is participating in the Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme through the commonwealth government and NIAA. In 2025 this scheme provides 30-subsidised items for sale, allowing access to affordable items without the normal margins required to ensure the store remains financially viable and our customers are not faced with financial hardship when purchasing these items.