November 20, 2017
Cooyar residents have been advised by Australia Post their local postal agency will be closing on November 30.
The short notice, especially close to Christmas, has angered residents who have approached their local MP, Member for Maranoa David Littleproud.
Elderly residents who no longer drive will be especially affected.
The agency has been based in the Cooyar Store in Munro Street.
An employee of the store could not comment when contacted by southburnett.com.au on Monday afternoon, however we understand local residents have received information from Australia Post advising them to use the Yarraman Post Office, about 33km north along the New England Highway.
Mr Littleproud said Australia Post had decided to not work with the Cooyar community and was shutting the town’s direct postal service without consultation.
“This lack of consultation is inexcusable and extremely disappointing. I was in Cooyar today and Australia Post’s heartless decision to not engage has left this community reeling and without a mail run.
“In rural areas, Australia Post isn’t just about letter delivery. It offers a community service, like delivering medications, and challenges the tyranny of distance.”
Mr Littleproud said the community has tried to find an alternate provider but Australia Post said it was too late.
“I understand Australia Post only spent one week trying to find an alternate location for the CPA and when the local show society made contact to see if it could take on the role, an Australia Post representative said the service would no longer be offered in Cooyar,” Mr Littleproud said.
“I think, at the very least, the community should’ve been given a proper opportunity to save the service without Australia Post just pulling the local mail run out of their grasp.
“I’ve made urgent representations to Australia Post’s CEO to investigate the cancellation of this service as a matter of priority and requested an urgent meeting to discuss a way forward to restore this vital service for the Cooyar community.”
Cooyar has had a mail receiving office since 1904 and a post office or postal agency since 1907.
Australia Post has been contacted for comment.
