Jena Carr
The Broadmeadows Progress Association is among those calling for the decision to close the Glenroy Post Office to be reversed.
Close to 45 people witnessed the Glenroy Post Office closure on August 25 and wrote letters to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, requesting help returning a postal service to Glenroy Shopping Centre.
Broadmeadows Progress Association assistant secretary Sonja Rutherford said the closure of the post office was “really unjust”, “very unfair”, and “cruel”.
The association said that several Broadmeadows and nearby residents use the post office for their mailing needs.
“It affects all of the community because it is busy and to say that it isn’t is not correct,” she said.
“Australia Post says 200 people a day are using it, which we think is modest, so that’s 1000 a week.
“Now 1000 people each week have to go to another shopping centre to do their post business… and therefore there is a threat to the small businesses in that area.”
Ms Rutherford said she was filled with “despair and anger” at the closure and that many people used the post office for different reasons like paying bills, getting passport photos and running a business.
“It’s not a trivial service, it’s a serious service for everyone and it’s a social service for people who have no alternative but to use a post office for their daily business,” she said.
“The Glenroy Post Office campaign is going to continue… and we will visit other areas that have post offices closing.”
An Australia Post spokesperson said the Glenroy Post Office had consistently traded at a loss over the past five years and that alternative options were available for the community.
“Australia Post’s decision to close the Glenroy Post Shop has not been made lightly,” they said.
“Customer visits at Glenroy Post Shop have fallen by around one-third since 2018 and are now well below the State average.
“The area is still well-serviced, with six post offices within a 3km radius of the Glenroy Post Shop, including Oak Park, which is 1.5km away and just 100 metres from the Oak Park train station.
“All Glenroy Post Shop team members have been offered roles at one of our surrounding outlets. Australia Post apologises to customers for any inconvenience.”
