WTF: Delivery chaos, the Barrabool block, the principle cost
Online shoppers Geelong’s eastern suburbs descended into chaos when a number of parcels showed up at the wrong addresses.
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Residents in Geelong’s eastern suburbs might be questioning the wisdom of online shopping after a delivery driver had a nightmare of a day.
Residents in Geelong’s eastern suburbs might be questioning the wisdom of online shopping after a delivery driver had a nightmare of a day.
Members of the St Albans Park, Moolap, Newcomb, Thomson and Whittington Community Page went postal after a multitude of mail was misdirected recently.
Members took to the Facebook page after they discovered packages they hadn’t ordered had arrived on their doorstep, or had received notification their package had been delivered, only to discover it’d been dropped at a completely different, but mystery address.
To make matters worse, it seemed the driver’s idea of photographic proof of delivery was, in some cases, from the back of the car, not the doorstep where the package was delivered.
Some parcels eventually found their intended recipients after neighbours joined the dots and completed the delivery, while others hoped Facebook posts would flush out where their packages ended up.
While Australia Post was initially in the frame for the epidemic of parcel misdirection, erstwhile residents soon realised another courier that delivered for Chinese online shopping juggernaut Temu was probably to blame.
It appears iMile might need to speak with at least one of its drivers after the postal nightmare unfolded.
Residents’ mail-related frustrations continued on the Facebook group even after an exasperated admin asked members to keep their parcel-related queries to the comments of earlier posts after the postal maelstrom went viral.
Members continued e-hunting their packages, with messages bouncing back and forth before a member set up the Geelong Missing Parcels Facebook group.
Almost 400 people had joined Geelong Missing Parcels a few hours later, but that page might have provided a bigger forum for people whose parcels remain missing to vent their frustrations.
iMile is no stranger to delivery controversy in Geelong, after a Grovedale couple’s security camera captured footage of a magpie meeting with the wrong end of a delivery driver’s boot after making a delivery.
But think of the upside, at least it’s not one of those scam text or voice messages wanting your personal information so you can get your non-existent Amazon package delivered.
BLOCKED IN THE HILLS
This Friday at 6pm evening marks the deadline for returning council ballots, marking the end of what could only be described as an eventful campaign.
We’ve seen multiple corflute controversies, one of which is expected to result in charges, a former Cats captain get riled up over bikes being used as an advertising medium, and more than 20 candidates pledge support to a campaign that put the focus on Palestine.
Now we can report a behind the scenes battle between candidates over access to a community Facebook.
Barrabool Hills candidate David McGinness believes he was blocked from the Highton page by incumbent councillor Ron Nelson, who just happens to be an administrator.
“He obviously does not want his community to be exposed to all information, including new and different ideas,” Mr McGinness said.
So is the untapped power of the humble community Facebook group being harnessed for political gain?
Mr Nelson, a former state Liberal candidate, unequivocally said he didn’t boot Mr McGinness, a Labor Party member.
He inferred it must’ve been another administrator and suggested the decision was likely due to a breach of the group’s rules, such as Mr McGinness using the platform for political campaigning – an act that isn’t outlined in the rules.
Mr McGinness confirmed he posted about his campaign upon its launch, but only because he thought that was allowed.
He’s unsure if Mr Nelson, or fellow Barrabool candidate Aleta Moriarty, are actively involved in the group because his only other way of checking – his wife – has also been blocked.
THE PRINCIPLE COST
More than one local resident fronted the Geelong Magistrates’ Court this week after being pinged for failing to participate in the democratic process.
One man told the court he had never voted previously and was at a loss as to how his name ended up on the electoral roll.
The Australian Electoral Commission can level a $20 penalty against you for failing to vote unless a compelling reason is put forward.
This non-voter said he hadn’t paid the $20 penalty “out of principle”.
Magistrate Franz Holzer noted that the court costs the man was now liable for were more than four times the cost of the fine.
“How far does your principle go?” Mr Holzer said.
The charge against the voter was proven and he was ordered to pay costs.
The electoral commission collects information from multiple government agencies, such as Centrelink, the tax office or VicRoads, to ensure the electoral roll is up to date.
These details include a voter’s name, date of birth and address.
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Originally published as WTF: Delivery chaos, the Barrabool block, the principle cost
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