Jeparit residents voiced their anger last week after the sudden closure of Landmark left them without access to fuel.

The community was not told about the closure.

Co-owner of SMS Rural’s Jeparit and Horsham businesses Adrian King said he was delighted to be able to take over fuel sales in the town.

“We start operating the whole business on Monday – fuel, ELGAS distribution, greater range of stock feed and other agricultural supplies,” he said.

Mr King said that after he found out about Landmark’s closure he asked about the future of the fuel business.

SMS Rural will now lease the premises and the fuel sales from RTA Ag Services.

RTA Ag Services owner Tania Morrish said it was a good result for the community.

“Landmark only leased the chemical side of the business,” she said.

“We were the ones who ran the fuel business. We worked in partnership with Landmark.”

Mrs Morrish said Landmark did RTA Ag Services a favour by operating the fuel component of the business.

She said there was never going to be a situation where Jeparit was left without fuel in the long-term.

“We had this one-week hiccup,” Mrs Morrish said.

“We could have pulled the pin in September last year but we’ve tried to keep it in the community.

“It’s going to be a very good result for the community and it’s now back in the community’s court – they must support the business.”