SBRC Wayne Kratzmann chats with protester Bruce Cox at last Friday's demonstration
February 13, 2013

South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann has joined the protest against Australia Post’s decision to close counter services at Kingaroy’s CBD post office.

Yesterday the Mayor met with a delegation from the group that organised an official protest outside the Kingaroy Street Post Office last Friday.

Attendees included representatives from Kingaroy’s residents, business owners, aged groups and disability groups.

KCCI President Rod Steele – who also attended the meeting – said the community was frustrated at what they saw as heavy-handed tactics from Australia Post, as well as a lack of consultation.

Mayor Kratzmann had previously said he thought the decision was “crazy”, and last week spoke with Australia Post to express his disappointment and urge the company to reconsider the idea of moving all counter services to Kingaroy Shoppingworld.

Following yesterday’s meeting, Mayor Kratzmann sent an email to Australia Post area manager Geoff Hyland to inform him the community was “extremely agitated” about the matter.

“At a time when the South Burnett is in the midst of another flood disaster, this proposed closure has evoked unprecedented anger and frustration from all sections of the community,” he said.

He urged Australia Post to delay the closure until it conducted public consultations and developed a plan to move all services to a single outlet.

He added that he was willing to work with the company to “help co-ordinate a positive outcome”.