Post office expansion raises doubt

GROWING confusion surrounds the reason behind Australia Post's decision to close popular services at its Chapple St facility.

Australia Post said in November that it would close over-the-counter services at its Chapple St Business Centre because of "declining customer numbers".

The organisation is standing by that reasoning, but it has now acknowledged the facility's delivery centre, which was crippled by a lack of capacity over Christmas, is being expanded into the space currently occupied by the business centre.

News the business centre area is being used to expand the delivery centre has raised doubt over whether the closure is purely about customer numbers.

Federal Member for Flynn, Ken O'Dowd, said there appeared to be inconsistency in Australia Post's messages.

"I believe the second response (that the space is being used to expand the delivery centre) was a direct result of the number of complaints received over the late delivery of Christmas parcels," Mr O'Dowd said.

"It appears getting a straight answer out of Australia Post is as difficult as receiving your Christmas parcels on time."

In a response to questions from The Observer, an Australia Post representative said: "The Gladstone Delivery Centre will be expanded into the space currently occupied by the business centre to allow us to handle the increased volumes of parcels more efficiently".

"By focusing only on parcel pick-up and bulk mail lodgement services, we believe customer service times (for deliveries) will improve."

A steady stream of customers have expressed disbelief since the organisation said the closure was due to declining customer numbers.

The Observer has asked Australia Post to provide data showing there has been a decline in customer numbers. Australia Post did not respond to that request.

Mr O'Dowd said it was frustrating, as the community's concerns and objections appeared to be falling on deaf ears.

"This is completely unsatisfactory, keeping in mind the dramatic effect the closure will have on our community."