The City of Stirling has ramped up its fight to save a nearly 60-year-old Innaloo post office, calling on the Federal Government to intervene as it prepares to close its doors today.
The Australia Post shop, located inside Westfield Innaloo shopping centre, is scheduled to be permanently closed on Friday October 23, after operating for the community since 1967.
At the city’s meeting on Tuesday night, councillors unanimously backed councillor Elizabeth Re’s motion to continue to advocate to protect the service.
In response to the notice of motion, Stirling mayor Mark Irwin wrote to the Federal ministers who oversee Australia Post calling for their support in opposing the closure and retaining an accessible postal service presence in the local area.
The push comes after growing community opposition against the decision, with residents raising concerns about the impact the closure will have on older residents, people living with disabilities and those who rely on public transport to access these services.
Cr Re, who represents the Doubleview ward, said the branch had played an important role in the community and that its closure would leave some residents struggling to access face-to-face postal services.
Mr Irwin has now written to the Federal minister responsible for Australia Post seeking their support in opposing the closure and retaining the service to the area.
He pointed to significant future population and employment growth within the Stirling City Centre as a key reason to maintain accessible postal services in the area.
He has also asked the Australia Post CEO to outline the accessibility and transition arrangements that will be provided to affected customers if the closure cannot be avoided.
He has also asked for clarity on the grounds of the proposed closure, questioning whether the needs of the community had been fully considered, particularly the needs of older residents, people living with disability and those who rely on public transport.
In an announcement posted by the city on Thursday it said “the post office has been a fixture of the community since it opened in 1967 and continues to play an important role, servicing residents living in nearby aged care and retirement villages due to its strong public transport links and co-location with retail, banking, health and community services”.
The nearest alternative outlets are about 2km away, at Morris Place in Innaloo, Osborne Park and Woodlands.
Residents raised concerns about how the closure would impact people who did not drive, had mobility issues or lacked confidence in technology.
Australia Post said declining visits, fewer letters and reduced over-the-counter transactions, alongside financial losses, made the outlet no longer viable.
The store was still scheduled to close at 5pm today.