An Australia Post branch on Hampden Road in Artarmon will permanently close on the 12th of March to make way for new housing development.
Architecture firm Sjb Architecture submitted a development application (DA) on behalf of developers Ignazia Pty Limited in October of 2023. The DA, which is still under consideration, outlines the demolition of the existing Australia Post structure for the construction of a new 5 storey shop-top housing, consisting of 18 apartments, a communal open space, and a commercial ground floor premises.
The nearest alternative post office is located 1.79 km away in Chatswood, leaving the local community deeply concerned. Displaying their outrage at the closure, over 130 locals rallied together in early January, including Willoughby City councillors, Mayor Tanya Taylor, Member for Willoughby Tim James MP, and Federal candidates Gisele Kapterian and Nicolette Boele.
‘The community are up in arms,’ says Valerio Domenici, owner of Zucchero Caffe Bar and Treasurer of Artarmon Village Inc. ‘We’ve lost our banks, we’ve lost all the ATMs… There’re solutions out there, it’s a matter of finding them.’
In response to the closure, Councillor Anna Greco, in her personal capacity, initiated a petition to the federal government. With the help of the Artarmon Progress Association, Artarmon Village Inc., and businesses along the strip, the petition was signed by 1,811 residents within the span of a week. Federal MP Kylea Tink for North Sydney has submitted the petition to the Petitions Committee in Canberra.
Australia Post has cited a 25% decrease in customer visits since 2021, making the Artarmon facility “well below the state average”.
‘All Artarmon team members will be offered new roles at surrounding outlets or closer to home,’ says an Australia Post spokesperson.
In addition, the organisation emphasises that the area is well-serviced, with five post offices within a 2.5 kilometre radius, including the Chatswood Post Shop 1.7 kilometres away.
The community, who recognise that other post offices are available, believe that with Artarmon’s population expected to grow, and the demand for accessibility for older residents, having Chatswood with limited parking as the nearest alternative is unsuitable. Not to mention, the community believe that the closure directly contradicts with Australia Post’s legal obligations under the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989. The Act requires that mail services be “reasonably accessible to all Australians” and emphasises the social importance of equitable access.
National post office numbers at the end of the 2023 financial year were 4,271, while the 2024 financial year saw a drop to 4,198.
‘A Post Office is the bedrock of a functioning village,’ said Community Independent Nicolette Boele. ‘There are no banks present on the high street in Artarmon; it’s critical that the Post Office stays open.’
Tim James MP released a statement expressing his disappointment, saying that the solution is to find a new location within Artarmon shops.
The outcome of the community advocacy, and whether federal intervention will occur, is pending.
