Plaza post office call

By Kelly Yates
A PETITION with more than 1500 signatures calling on Australia Post to open a post office at Parkhill Plaza in Berwick was last week handed to Australia Post officials.
The petition was put together by Michelle Frazer – the Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North – and Berwick traders.
“People are frustrated they can’t pay their bills, send or receive mail at Parkhill Plaza,” Ms Frazer said.
“Local shopping centres like this are supposed to provide for the daily needs of the community, but the people who shop at Parkhill Plaza have to drive elsewhere to find a post office.”
There are presently five post offices within a five kilometre radius of Parkhill Plaza in Fountain Gate, High Street in Berwick, Narre Warren, Harkaway and Narre Warren North.
“People tell me it’s inconvenient, wastes time, is costly and adds to greenhouse gas emissions and congestion on the roads,” Ms Frazer said.
“These post offices are at capacity and, despite the best efforts of staff, customers often have to wait in long queues. Many of these customers are elderly and standing for long periods is not possible.”
Three businesses in the shopping complex, at the corner of Parkhill Drive and Ernst Wanke Road, have expressed an interest in opening a sub-agency within their premises, Ms Frazer said.
“There aren’t any vacancies at the centre at the moment,” she said.
“But the newsagent, pharmacy and even the video shop, are willing to make room for a post office. They see first-hand the frustrations of the customers and want to help provide a solution.”
Trish Mernica, who owns Parkhill Berwick News and Lotto, said she often had customers asking where the Australia Post store was.
“Just about every day, we have two or three people asking for it,” she said.
Berwick resident Terry Hornbuckle agreed a post office was needed at the “busy little shopping centre.”