Local MP Luke Donnellan, Holt MP Anthony Byrne and Parkhill Plaza Berwick News and Lotto Agency manager Lynne Ireland with Timbarra residents who want an Australia Post agency established.
By Callan Date
THE petition is in the mail for Berwick residents who want a post office established in Parkhill Plaza.
Almost one in every four Timbarra households has signed the petition calling on Australia Post to provide the Parkhill Plaza Berwick News and Lotto Agency with an official outlet.
However, Australia Post has marked the petition return to sender. Officials believe a Parkhill agency is not currently justified.
They say the five Australia Post outlets currently operating within five kilometres of the Timbarra Estate is adequate.
But residents believe access for the elderly and young mothers at the established centres is difficult and an agency in the Parkhill Plaza would make it much more convenient for locals.
The growing population living in the Timbarra estate currently travel to either Fountain Gate Shopping Centre or High Street in Berwick to visit a post office.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan has joined the residents’ push for a post office and said it was unfortunate Australia Post was ignoring the needs of local residents.
“Many residents simply wish to shop locally, undertaking banking, postal and bill payments in one place where they can park easily and maybe visit the supermarket as well,” Mr Donnellan said.
Australia Post Victorian state communications officer Gale Mantovani said many factors needed to be taken into account when deciding if a new outlet could be justified.
“We take into the number and placement of existing postal outlets, the potential impact a new outlet on the commercial viability of any already in the area and the potential commercial viability of the proposed new outlet itself,” Ms Mantovani said.
She said a close watch was kept on areas such as Berwick where the population was growing rapidly.
“Although we would not currently be looking at putting in another postal outlet, this is not to say that we would rule it out in future,” she said.
