Another local post office is closing in the North Shore.
At the site of the Pennant Hills Australia Post Office, the community was informed of a proposed development application at the end of January. Though a chance was given to submit feedback, the community was only allotted a two-week window.
The development application was submitted on the 13th of January, lodged on the 21st of January, and community notification began on the 29th of January. The applicant is Mokishide Pty Ltd, a private Australian company.
The DA details that the site of the Pennant Hills Post Office would become a commercial Korean BBQ restaurant. Australia Post must vacate the premises by April 2025.
When asked why the opportunity for community period only extended two-weeks, Hornsby Shire Council responded, ‘The timeline is the standard timeline for this kind of application.’
Councillor Monika Ball tabled a petition signed by over 600 locals in Council’s February meeting.
‘The community is not happy, in fact they are very angry, about the lack of notice, the lack of transparency from Australia post,’ said Cr Ball. ‘Australia Post offices are an essential service to the community… How did our federal member not know about it sooner?’
Member for Berowra Julian Leeser did not reply to questions about his involvement by The Post’s deadline.
Independent candidate for Berowra Tina Brown has launched her own petition, seeking to cancel or suspend the development application, extend the objection period for the public, and transition the post office into a franchise “operated in partnership with the local newsagent, a solution already supported by local businesses”.
See Tina’s Facebook Post here. (opens in a new window)
Hornsby Shire Council moved a motion to appeal to Australia Post about maintaining a post office in Pennant Hills, to seek further dialogue with Australia Post, and to liaise with state and federal members.
