THE Kinglake West post office is closing, four years after it was burnt down in Black Saturday and had to trade from a temporary shed.
The operator, Mohmed Melhem, said he had given back his post office licence. The post office on the Whittlesea-Yea Road, which opened in 1902, burnt down in the 2009 fires and has been trading from a temporary shed since.
Some locals have been offended by the Australia Post sign it carries which mistakenly calls it King Lake West, not Kinglake West. Roger Cook, a Kinglake West resident, said Australia Post had been informed of the error but had not changed it.
Australia Post spokeswoman Mel Ward said the post office would close this month but if re-opened the signage would be corrected.
“Australia Post can confirm that the licence for the Kinglake West Licensed Post Office has been handed back to Australia Post,” she said.
“Despite extensive community consultation undertaken by Australia Post, a new operator has not been secured to ensure the ongoing operation of [this office, which] will cease to operate in March.
“We are currently working to find alternative arrangements and we will ensure the community is notified of new arrangements for mail and PO Box services as soon as they are finalised.
“Residents are able to continue to access postal services at Pheasant Creek Licensed Post Office.”
– Sue Hewitt
