Moonee Valley City Council discuss former Australia Post Essendon site

Local residents will be shut-out of discussions concerning a proposed Essendon development which led to the closure of a post office. See the details here.

The Australia Post office at 881 Mount Alexander Rd has now closed. Picture: Supplied

Moonee Valley residents will be shut-out of discussion about a controversial development which left a community post office shuttered.

The proposed multistorey development at 881 Mount Alexander Rd is set to be tabled in the confidential section of Moonee Valley City Council’s meeting on Tuesday.

The controversial development has been closed to public debate due to it containing “confidential information” which is related to “confidential meeting information, being the records of meetings closed to the public under section 66(2)(a); because the item is a VCAT Compulsory Conference matter”.

Part of the site included an Australia Post branch which closed on March 24.

Australia Post said the “difficult decision” was vindicated as the area was “well served” by the 20 post offices within 5km of the site.

“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,” Australia Post said in a statement.

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

It came after Cr Cam Nation slammed the move as a “slap in the face” to the Essendon community which had also seen the departure of major banks and brands in recent months.

The major development is not the only application in front of council which will also consider 691 Mount Alexander Rd just five minutes down the road. The development is seeking to build a “multistorey office” on the site which currently houses a two storey building but a series of changes have been suggested.

Under the changes, the development will be reduced from five storeys to four with the rear portion of the building and roof terrace removed. The changes will downsize the building from 1899sq m to 1247sq m.

The council officers have recommended to approve an amended permit for the development.