Prompted by the shock announcement that the St Kilda South Post Office on Shakespeare Grove will close on 19 July, nearly four thousand people have signed a petition calling Australia Post to reconsider.
Author of the petition and local resident, Levi Silcox said the community is clearly in uproar over the closure. ‘It’s an essential service and obviously very important to the local community.
‘It’s a bitter blow for the area and a set back to the revitalisation efforts on Acland Street,’ he stressed.
Josh Burns MP meets Minister
Local MP Josh Burns has backed the community campaign saying ‘the St Kilda South Post office is a vital local institution.’ He recently met with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to explain the depth of community disappointment with the proposed closure. He also made an adjournment speech in parliament about the closure.
Acland Court is keen
TWiSK understands that Acland Court management are interested in hosting a Post Office or licensed franchise in their centre. While there a currently no offers on the table, an LPO franchise would be a significant local destination and a boon to foot traffic.
Franchised outlets are part of AusPost’s strategy
According to their most recent Annual Report, Licensed Post Offices (LPOs) make up around two-thirds of their national Post Office footprint. In discussions with TWiSK, Post media people were keen to point out that LPOs can do almost everything except Passports. There are already two LPO’s in St Kilda: Fitzroy Street (near Grey Street) and Brighton Road (opposite Chapel Street). According to AP these nearby LPOs offer a full range of services (excluding passports) including identity, banking and Billpay. There’s also the Balaclava Post Shop at 244 Carlisle Street.
There’s hope yet for St Kilda
Levi Silcox is hopeful that a meeting of interested parties, including senior Post decision makers and hopeful locals, will be convened in coming weeks.
‘If you want to help, please sign the petition,’ said Levi.
Sign the petition
