Woolworths boosts home deliveries to bay islands by 30 per cent

Retail giant Woolworths will step up its home delivery service to four bay islands, after a deluge of complaints from residents who could not get their weekly groceries.

Woolworths deliveries are taken by ferry or barge to the islands daily. Picture: Contributed

Woolworths will step up home deliveries to four Moreton Bay islands after hundreds of complaints after claims it planned to cut back home deliveries in the area.

Starting next month, Woolies will boost its island home delivery orders by 30 per cent, providing up to 200 additional orders a week for the southern Moreton Bay islands.

Residents will see available online delivery booking windows with Russell, Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay islands each receiving extra services, depending on the availability of Sealink barges.

An online notice from Woolies about the booking system. Picture: Contributed

The move comes after Woolworths faced criticism over claims it planned to cut back home deliveries to the Moreton Bay islands, a region with significant socio-economic challenges.

The average age of residents on the islands is 61 and many have physical conditions limiting their ability to travel to mainland shops.

Hundreds of residents were unable to book online delivery slots due to high demand, leading to more than 20 formal complaints.

“We’re always listening to feedback to better understand how we can best meet the needs of our customers,” Woolworths said.

“After careful consideration of community feedback, we are pleased to announce that in early June, we will be increasing the capacity of home delivery services to the southern Moreton Bay islands.”

This month’s booking blockage coincided with retailer’s announcement that group sales were up 2.8 per cent to $16.8 billion in the third quarter, but lagged behind its major rival Coles.

Screenshot one island customer took after trying to place an online order.

Island residents, including Kim Kelly and Lindsay Hackett, expressed frustration at being locked out of the Woolworths online home delivery service, unable to order their weekly groceries.

Ms Kelly said Woolworths told her some island areas would “unfortunately” be getting less delivery times as a result of the site hitting capacity.

Mr Hackett said he had to wake up at midnight once a week to log on so he was assured of a booking slot.

“It’s ridiculous that there is no more capacity and this week highlighted the problem,” he said.

“I was also told delivery schedules to the islands would be impacted when I rang Woolworths head office.

“I was told deliveries would be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to Macleay Island and Thursdays only to Russell, Lamb, and Karragarra.

“The spokesman did not know why the change had been made from daily delivery.

“Woolies is now saying there is no change to the online bookings. But it still means island residents are missing out on deliveries, as the booking slots are filled as soon as they go online.”

The closest stores to the bay islands are at Victoria Point and Redland Bay. Picture: Judith Kerr

Complaints about potential service cutbacks prompted federal MP Henry Pike, whose Bowman electorate covers the islands, to write to Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci.

Mr Pike highlighted the population surge on the islands and the severe parking constraints at the mainland Weinam Creek ferry terminal, urging the CEO to expand, rather than reduce, delivery services.

He also emphasised the essential nature of the delivery service for the island’s ageing and growing population, noting the community’s significant social disadvantage and the impact on residents’ quality of life.

Originally published as Woolworths boosts home deliveries to bay islands by 30 per cent