February 5, 2013

Australia Post isn’t budging on its decision to close the counter at the Kingaroy Delivery Centre in Kingaroy Street despite howls of protest from the local business community.

In fact, an Australia Post spokesman says the decision is based on the “needs of its customers”.

From February 15, there will be no retail services … ie parcels cannot be weighed and then posted, bulk mail cannot be posted and stamps and other items such as pre-paid envelopes and mailing boxes etc cannot be purchased, at the Kingaroy Street premises.

All customers, including businesses, will have to use the AustPOST shop in Shoppingworld.

A protest against the closure is scheduled to be held near the Kingaroy Street building from 11:00am on Friday.

An Australia Post spokesman told southburnett.com.au today that “the needs of our customers are changing and Australia Post must continue to evolve and adapt its business to meet these changing needs”.

“We currently serve around 100 retail customers a day at the Kingaroy Delivery Centre, which continues to decline year-on-year,” the spokesman said.

“The Kingaroy Post Office at Kingaroy Shopping World has also been experiencing a significant reduction in customer numbers. Combined, this customer decline is around 18 per cent over the past five years.

“Given the close proximity of the two outlets, 300 metres, combining retail postal services at the Kingaroy Post Office will contribute to the long-term viability of the outlet and postal services in the area.

“To help ensure the amalgamation of postal services at the Kingaroy Post Office is as seamless as possible for Kingaroy residents, we are:

  • Retaining all Post Office Boxes at the Kingaroy Delivery Centre – Boxes will continue to operate and be serviced as they are today,
  • Continuing to provide customers with access to collect carded parcels from the Delivery Centre,
  • Retaining the red street posting box outside the Kingaroy Delivery Centre to ensure that residents continue to have 24/7 access to post letters and parcels,
  • Transferring the retail staff from the Kingaroy Delivery Centre to the Kingaroy Post Office, and implementing an additional counter terminal to help cater for any increase in customer foot traffic,
  • Introducing a dedicated counter at peak times for business customers to lodge bulk mail in-store to help ensure both retail and business customers are served as effectively and efficiently as possible,
  • Changing the layout of the Kingaroy Post Office to better accommodate our customers in-store,
  • Working closely with our major business customers and providing additional support and services to help ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for them,
  • Continuing to trade six days a week at the Kingaroy Post Office to provide customers with greater access and convenience – 9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday and 8:30am-noon on Saturdays.’

The spokesman said it was also important to note that there would be no change to the operations of the Delivery Centre.

“It will continue to operate as a Delivery Centre and be managed by Australia Post,” the spokesman said.

“Australia Post remains committed to supporting the Kingaroy community and providing residents with ongoing access to postal services in the local area. We have notified all our Post Office Box customers about the changes and have a customer notice displayed at both the Delivery Centre and Post Office.”

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