"Post offices are a destination": Whitehorse Council pushes for local post offices to be reopened in Box Hill and Mitcham

Whitehorse Council has started early on advocating to the next Federal Government, in whichever form that will take, to reinstate Australia Post facilities in the area.

At the special council meeting on Monday April 28, Whitehorse councillor Peter Allan moved a motion to advocate to the Federal Government, especially the Minister for Communications, Minister for Finance and local MPs and senators, for the return of Australia Post facilities in central Box Hill and elsewhere within the City of Whitehorse where needed.

Councillor Blair Barker moved an amendment to the motion, initially requesting an additional part to the motion be attached thanking Menzies MP Keith Wolahan for his advocacy work in this space.

Following extensive debate, council passed a motion to acknowledge and thank all local MPs for their advocacy.

Which local post offices have closed recently?

Australia Post’s retail network includes a combination of Australia Post-owned corporate outlets (CPOs), Licensed Post Offices (LPOs) run by local licensees and Community Postal Agencies (CPAs).

At least 14 branches have closed across Victoria closing down since 2023, including Burwood, Mitcham, Westfield Knox and Box Hill.

Australia Post closed its Box Hill Central location in May 2023, leaving the area without a post office for the first time since 1861.

The closure of the Mitcham location followed in August of 2023, closing its doors almost 140 years after Mitcham’s first post office opened in June 1884 and the heritage-protected building was built in 1924.

Why is Whitehorse Council advocating for the reinstatement of local Australia Post locations?

Cr Allan said he found it “strange” that Box Hill’s CBD did not have a post office despite having 25,000 residents. The suburb's population is also set to double in the next 20 years.

“We’ve got one in Box Hill North and indeed in Box Hill South, but not in the main hub of the shopping centre,” he said.

“I think the residents have been calling out for it to be replaced, not only in Box Hill but there’s a loss in Mitcham as well.”

Allan said the loss of Australia Post facilities had been a shock to many elderly Whitehorse residents, who used the shops to pay their bills.

Councillor Kirsten Langford said the closures had a number of negative impacts on locals.

“The gaps that have occurred because of this closure include less foot traffic to the precinct, which doesn’t help the local economy, including a loss of jobs,” she said.

“Post offices are a destination.

“There’s a decline in banking services…there’s less support to the vulnerable in our community.”

Councillor Barker said the council hoped its advocacy towards the issue would help the Federal Government look at how to provide Australia Post services to Whitehorse and other nearby LGAs soon.

“This isn’t just a matter that’s limited to Whitehorse,” he said.

“It’s a trend that’s happening across our great city.”