Australia Post office closing at Westfield Tea Tree Plaza

A post office at one of Adelaide’s largest shopping hubs is set to close within months as locals fear they’ll be losing a much needed service.

A post office in one of Adelaide’s largest shopping hubs is set to close its doors, leaving local residents worried they will be left without a vital service.

Westfield Tea Tree Plaza’s Australia Post location is set to close from September, making it the second major post office closure in under three months.

In a statement, an Australia Post spokeswoman said the decision came after seeing decreasing customer numbers.

“Australia Post has advised that it intends to close the Modbury Post Shop in Tea Tree Plaza in September this year following a drop in customer visits of about a third over the past five years.”

The spokeswoman said customers in the area are “well serviced” by four other post offices within a three kilometre radius including at Modbury North, Clovercrest and St Agnes.

“For customers looking to carry out their banking, there are also seven bank branches within the Tea Tree Plaza or Modbury Triangle shopping centres.”

She said Australia Post was “consulting with key stakeholders” following the decision.

Member for Newland Olivia Savvas told 5AA Radio said she first noticed the store put up a notice telling customers the location would be closed on Saturdays before the closure announcement.

Ms Savvas slammed the decision.

“To take out two Australia Post outlets … for South Australians in as many months for me, is a pretty appalling decision.”

She said the post office is a vital service and a “hub” in the area.

“It’s across from Modbury hospital, across from Service SA, you’ve got the O-Bahn right there.

“There are hundreds if not thousands of employees working in the centre as well.”

Ms Savvas recalled working at the plaza and using the post office during her lunch break “because that was the only opportunity I had to use the service”.

She expects backlash to the decision as she received “a large number of letters, emails and comments on social media” when the service closed on Saturdays.

Despite her condemnation of the decision, Ms Savvas said she understands the argument from Australia Post “that perhaps it doesn’t have the foot traffic” that other locations might see.

Australia Post has now closed two of its locations within three months. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

She said she would rally against the decision.

“We’ll be fighting against it, running a petition and a campaign against it.”

It comes after a southern community was left reeling after Australia Post announced they were closing a major store.

An Australia Post spokesman confirmed to the Advertiser in May they were closing the Oaklands Park post office, located in Westfield Marion.

“Australia Post has made the difficult decision to close the Oaklands Park Post Shop from June 30 this year, following a notice to vacate from the property landlord,” said the spokesman.

“The surrounding area is well-serviced, with seven other post offices within a three-kilometre radius. Australia Post is working closely with post office team members to ensure they are offered suitable roles at nearby outlets.

The news has left the local community speechless, with Member for Gibson Sarah Andrews displaying her concern for the closure.

“With the decline in the use of cash I am advised that the post office is one of the few places that those who rely on cash are able to pay their bills.

“It will be a substantial loss to the community and local businesses.”