A community petition is calling on Australia Post to drop its 19 July closure plan, saying many businesses and residents, including older people with limited mobility or who aren't confident in using the internet to communicate or pay bills, rely on the outlet.
The Acland Street Village Business Association is urging Australia Post to take up an offer to move the post office to the nearby Acland Court Precinct if it is determined to proceed with the Shakespeare Grove site closure.
Acting Mayor Louise Crawford said existing sites suggested by Australia Post as alternatives after the closure were not as convenient or accessible, particularly for those without transport or who found walking challenging.
"We understand our community's concerns and are adding our voice to theirs to fight to keep this business and social hub close to the Acland Street community and its traders," Cr Crawford said.
The Communications Minister has referred a letter by Council to Australia Post's CEO, as Australia Post controls its outlets. Australia Post says it is closing the outlet after a drop in customer numbers over the past five years.
Cr Crawford urged people concerned about the closure to write to their local federal MP Josh Burns, who is supporting the campaign, or sign Petition · Stop the St Kilda South Post Office from closing - St Kilda, Australia · Change.org
A joint statement by Council, its Older Persons Advisory Committee and the Acland Street Village Business Association can be found at Joint statement on the closure of the St Kilda South Australia Post site - City of Port Phillip
Acland Street Village Business Association President Janet Rosenberg
A post office is a vital piece of the jigsaw that creates vibrant local shopping strips, just like banks and supermarkets. It is essential for the health of our community that we retain this post office. There are no convenient, easily accessed post offices nearby and these services will be overrun if St Kilda South post office closes. As well as being important for local traders sending and picking up parcels, Australia Post customers provide important foot-traffic by stopping to shop at Acland Street or have a coffee. St Kilda is also one of the most visited tourist precincts in Melbourne - it would be a tragedy to lose such a well-utilised necessity for tourists and locals alike.
Older Persons Advisory Committee
This Post Office is an important community resource that is particularly used by older local residents. Many frequently visit to deal with mail and parcels, identification issues and to pay their bills and there are often queues, indicating it is well patronised. Having their Post Office close to shopping makes it much easier for older residents to complete their tasks in a simple, straight-forward way, without too many trips either by foot, car or public transport. The alternatives are too far away and don't have all the other conveniences near them that older people can use and enjoy in one trip.
