Australia Post: Essendon branch closure criticised Moonee Valley City Councillor

A Essendon post office’s demise is drawing criticism as a “slap in the face” but Australia Post has defended their decision in the “well-serviced” area.

Australia Post is closing its Essendon branch on Mount Alexander Rd. Picture: Google Maps

The closure of an Essendon post office branch has been labelled as akin to ripping out the heart of the suburb as residents and councillors are worried by the lack of services in the area.

Australia Post has staunchly defended their decision, describing the surrounding area as “well-serviced” with 20 post offices within a five-kilometre radius still available to residents.

Signs recently appeared on the Australia Post Essendon branch – located on Mount Alexander Rd – announcing its permanent closure on March 24, 2023.

Australia Post say the Essendon store has seen a change in customer habits which prompted the decision.

“Closing a post office is never an easy decision, however this outlet has seen a substantial drop in customer visits over the past five years,” a Australia Post spokesperson said.

“The surrounding area is well-serviced, with three post offices within a two-kilometre radius, including the Essendon North Post Office which is only a two-minute drive away.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming customers at one of our other outlets.”

The closure left Moonee Valley councillor Cam Nation alarmed about the loss of services for residents.

“This decision to suddenly close the local post office is like ripping the heart out of a suburb that is 166 years old,” Cr Nation said.

“In the past few years we’ve seen a disappointing exodus of essential services from the area with the closure of the local branches of the ANZ, Westpac, National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank. Now with the departure of Australia Post, there really are very few core services remaining in the city.”

It comes after Westpac announced it would close 20 bank branches in Australia while the Bank of Melbourne – which is owned by Westpac – will close its Moonee Ponds branch.

Finance Sector Union national secretary Julia Angrisano slammed the decision as “simply outrageous” given it could see 91 jobs cancelled.

National Australia Bank recently announced the Niddrie bank branch would be closed by March 30. While the bank assured customers the change would be “as smooth as possible”, they said the change had to happen due to the rise in online banking.

“While the abandonment of the Essendon area by service providers like Australia Post and our banking sector is a slap in the face to regular customers who have been their biggest supporters, all is not lost,” Cr Nation said.

 “Australia Post can do the logical thing, and find another long term tenancy, or they can work with the land owner and continue on a short term tenancy basis until development plans for the site are finalised.

“What they shouldn’t do is just abandon long term customers without even looking for a solution.”

The council is pursuing lobbying Australia Post to continue at its current site or at a new tenancy nearby and the landowner for a resolution.

Australia Post options (Distance from Essendon post office):

• Essendon North (1.2km)
• Essendon West (1.7km)
• Moonee Ponds (1.9km)