Australia Post talks to Beechworth

3 Beechworth jobs saved – delivery changes ‘off the agenda’
Beechworth residents are still working to keep the Post Office as a corporate office and, hopefully, a further 4 jobs in the town. Australia Post has ‘deferred’ the plan to move the mail sorting and delivery to a contract in Wodonga.

“It is good news that Australia Post is paying attention to our concerns” says Maria Harvey of the Beechworth Chamber of Commerce.

Two Australia Post Managers have visited Maria and they all had a frank discussion about what was being negotiated and how the community was reacting to the proposed changes.

A letter from Australia Post is being sent to all residents reassuring them that the high standard postal service will continue and explaining the changes. The name of the manager and his contact address is being provided for people with further questions – a dramatic improvement on the photocopied notice received previously to announce the changes as fait accompli and with just a general contact number.

“A heartening response … so much easier and much more satisfactory to deal directly with people who hold responsibility” says Maria.

The Chamber of Commerce estimates they will have collected more that 2,300 signatures for the petition, though this will come back closer to the 2000 mark as not everyone completed their full address information. Over the Queen’s Birthday weekend they were able to gather lots of signatures from visitors to the town who were supportive of our efforts. They will present the petition to their Federal Member so that the community’s concerns are on public record.

PWF readers sent emails of encouragement and suggestions for how to proceed. Maria says “Thank you to all those folk … we will respond a little further down the track.”

There has been lots of spontaneous activity from the Beechworthians. Apart from signing the petition various community minded individuals have taken it upon themselves to write letters to politicians and Australia Post. They have been on talk back radio and there has been tremendous interest from the local print and TV media. ABC radio’s Bush Telegraph program will be doing a feature story.

Hang in there Beechworth – as Maria says it is heartening to see Australia Post is prepared to listen, consider and then act on community concerns.