Target will cut between 130 and 180 jobs at its Geelong headquarters.

Up to 900 jobs at the retailer’s Geelong centre were reported to be in limbo after it flagged plans to close and relocate to Melbourne.

Senior management on Thursday told workers that the centre would be relocated to an unspecified location in Melbourne’s west.

The ABC has reported that 130-180 jobs will be lost as part of the move.

The Australian Services Union’s (ASU) Victorian branch has accused Target of turning its back on Geelong.

“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,” Victorian secretary Ingrid Stitt said.

“This is a dark day for Geelong and the wider Geelong community.”

In his last hours as the mayor of Geelong, Darren Lyons said he was “disappointed and disheartened” by Target’s plans.

“I understand this is a business decision, but that does not make it any easier for our region,” he said.

The new head of Target, Guy Russo, says management have had to make hard decisions to make sure Target is profitable and sustainable.

“The Geelong site for the national office is no longer a viable option if we’re to remain competitive and build a profitable business,” he said.

Employees will have the option of voluntary redundancies or redeployment at other Kmart or Target sites, as well as other Wesfarmers businesses, Russo said.

The state opposition says the closure of Target’s Geelong offices shows the government is not doing enough to create jobs in Victoria.

“Victoria is being smashed by New South Wales when it comes to creating new jobs,” opposition spokesman Michael O’Brien said.

