VICTORY: Community Campaign Secures Extra Resources at Wallsend Post Office

Wallsend residents have achieved a significant victory following a campaign that has resulted in increased resources at the Wallsend Post Office. This comes after numerous complaints were raised about extensive wait times, with some customers facing lengthy delays and others being turned away due to overwhelmed staff.

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, took the issue to Parliament last week, highlighting the mounting concerns expressed by the local community. The lack of adequate staffing was leading to distress among residents, many of whom rely on the post office for essential services, especially in the fast-growing suburbs of Maryland, Fletcher, and Minmi.

“I’ve received countless reports from constituents about the stress these delays are causing,” said Ms Claydon. “One resident mentioned having to leave work early just to make it to the post office before it closes, while others reported that only three employees are typically on duty during peak times, struggling to manage the high demand.”

In response, Australia Post has confirmed the employment of an additional staff member to help alleviate pressure on the existing team. Additionally, they are in discussions to install a bank of Parcel Lockers at Wallsend Village Shopping Centre, providing a more convenient way for customers to collect their parcels.

“This is a big win for the Wallsend community,” Ms Claydon said. “I am grateful to everyone who voiced their concerns and proud that together we’ve secured this outcome. I’ll be monitoring progress closely to ensure the Parcel Lockers are installed as promised.”

The Wallsend Post Office serves a large catchment area, making it a crucial service for both the local community and surrounding regions. With growing populations in nearby suburbs, the demand for postal services has significantly increased, putting additional strain on resources.

This recent development follows earlier reports in which residents voiced their frustrations over the inadequate staffing levels, leading to widespread delays. Concerns were also raised about similar issues across other regional post offices, including those in Mayfield and Cardiff, where residents have experienced similar delays and service disruptions.

While this recent boost in resources is a positive step, ongoing pressure remains on Australia Post to address resourcing issues more broadly across the Newcastle and Hunter regions, with recent closures and potential cutbacks sparking further concerns.

As the Wallsend community continues to grow, the local post office’s ability to keep pace with customer demand remains crucial. For now, residents are celebrating this hard-fought win while keeping a close watch on further developments in the coming months.

Ongoing Concerns Over Post Office Closures

While the Wallsend community celebrates its recent win with extra resources at the local post office, there is growing concern across the Hunter regarding the closure of major post offices such as Glendale. These closures are putting pressure on remaining post offices and the closures are affecting the more vunerable people in our community who are unable to travel long disances.