Liam McNally
A new Australian Post post box is on the way for Aintree, meaning residents will no longer need to travel to Caroline Springs or Melton to post their mail.
There are currently no post boxes, or post offices in the suburb of more than 10,000 people, an issue councillor Steve Abboushi raised at a recent Melton council meeting.
Cr Abboushi moved for council to write to Australia Post chief executive Paul Graham requesting the immediate installation of a post office box in Aintree to service the growing Aintree population and surrounds.
“…to our residents in Rockbank and Aintree, I hear you and I know that you’ve been petitioning for a post office box and their may be some discussions with Australia Post but I just find it very frustrating that our residents have to wait so long to be able to post a letter and having to travel,” he said.
“The other issue is, there’s no retail LPO or Australia Post direct office and so they’re having to travel to pick up parcels to Melton, which is already experiencing significant queues, or Caroline Springs… I think Australia Post needs to have a look at our local government area and plan accordingly, and our residents shouldn’t have to wait in long queues.”
An Australia Post spokesperson told Star Weekly, Australia Post is well-progressed with plans for a new red post box in Aintree, with installation expected to take place in coming weeks.
“We closely monitor growth areas, including new suburbs, to focus our postal services where there is community need and demand,” they said.
Star Weekly understands that Australia Post has worked with council and developers in recent months and have been working to select a site for the post box, while parcel lockers are also being considered, but there are no plans for a post office.
Aintree resident Mehandra Deva said he would welcome the addition of a post box, but still would like a post office.
“I think it’s a good thing to get [a post box] for the area…it’s a half hour to 45 minute job to get or post a package,” he said.
“Melton has two [post offices], we don’t have one. Population is coming up and so is demand so it would help having one in this area.”
