Narre Warren North residents say there is a desperate shortage of post boxes in Narre Warren North. Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, Narre Warren North resident Brendan Thompson, Casey councillor Roland Abraham and local resident Ben Mammone all agree. By Rebecca Fraser
NARRE Warren North residents claim Australia Post has forgotten about them.
The comments also follow a recent Casey Council report on the shortage of local postage boxes that stated that new estates in Narre Warren South, Cranbourne and Lynbrook desperately need post boxes.
Narre Warren North was not on the list.
Local resident Ben Mammone said his family had lived in Narre Warren North for the past five years but was still waiting for a post box.
“Since we have moved here the nearest place to post a letter is James Cook Drive in Endeavour Hills and the Narre Warren North township.
“My younger brother Daniel is in a wheelchair and enjoys writing letters to friends but for him to post his letters we have to go for a trip in the car.
“It is like Narre Warren North has been forgotten.
“They put up the houses but forget everything else such as bus services and post boxes.
“You should not have to get into the car to post a letter — you should be able to walk,” he said.
Fellow Narre Warren North resident Brendan Thompson agreed and said posting a bill or letter had become a nuisance.
“As I have gotten older and needed to post more things the lack of post boxes has become a real hassle.
“Have to go to Endeavour Hills or Fountain Gate to post one.
“This is a waste of time and petrol and it would be much easier if you could just walk,” he said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said Australia Post had failed to keep up with Casey’s population growth and it was unrealistic to expect residents to walk for miles to post a letter.
Mr Donnellan also said he planned to table a petition on the matter in State Parliament.
“My greatest concern is that post boxes are more than two kilometres away from these residents.
“It is very important that Australia Post keeps up with the growth as Casey and many of the new estates are growing at a million miles an hour.
“Trying to encourage people to be fit and healthy is one thing but expecting people to walk more than two kilometres to a post box is a bit much.
Casey councillor Roland Abraham agreed and said there was a chronic shortage of post boxes in the City of Casey.
“I have been speaking to residents and one of their biggest gripes is the lack of post boxes.
“Currently Australia Post policy says that there should be post boxes within a two kilometre radius of people’s homes.
“But currently people are having to walk much further than expected.
“I commend the council report but I just think the report has not addressed the shortages in Narre Warren North.
“We need to send a strong message that more post boxes are required in the growth corridor,” he said.
