Australia Post warns of delays during Melbourne’s stage 4 lockdown

The pandemic this year has created a perfect storm for the delivery industry but Victoria’s new lockdown could make it even worse.

2020 has been a disaster for the postal delivery industry.

Widespread lockdowns imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus have increased the reliance on online shopping and parcel delivery at a time when flights were essentially grounded.

The perfect storm means demand is high at a time when importing items from overseas and domestic transportation has greatly reduced.

This has created lengthy delays for deliveries from the beginning of the local outbreak in March but the wait is due to intensify after harsh lockdown restrictions were imposed in Victoria.

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Social media was flooded with complaints in May when delays were lengthened. Posties were slammed for failing to ring door bells, instead many reportedly dumped the collection card and moved on to the next delivery.

Australia Post were forced to issue an apology, blaming the increased error on the extreme demand created by the pandemic.

But complaints are beginning to flow once again on the Australia Post Facebook page and the government business has warned of increased delays as Victoria settled into the stage 4 lockdown.

“Please explain why parcels are not being delivered as stated on your tracking site,” one of many complaints said.

“It is most unsatisfactory that a parcel posted on 20th of July from Perth (WA) and arrived in Melbourne on the 27th of July be processed from Melbourne then sent to Dandenong and now have been informed that parcel has been returned to Melbourne Airport.

“So now informed the parcel will not arrive until 14th August. The service is a joke.”

Australia Post says it expects more delays due to the Victoria lockdown.

Australia Post told news.com.au it was working hard to keep up with demand.

“Ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic mean there may be some delays as our business operates with additional safety measures to protect our people and customers, as well as reduced domestic and international flights, while processing unprecedented parcel volumes,” an Australia Post spokesperon said.

“To help us, we ask our customers to make sure their delivery details are correct, and to respect and adhere to social distancing requirements when interacting with our people.”

Star Track, a subsidiary of Australia Post, also blamed the reduction in airfreight capacity and the passenger service essentially being grounded.

It also cited the need to introduce social distancing measures in its facilities as a hurdle to keep up with demand but was delivering seven days a week to try and keep up.

Star Track has repurposed and opened 16 new processing delivery sites and hired more than 600 more staff.

Melbourne has ground to standstill after new restrictions were imposed. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Meanwhile, delivery company DHL Express said it remains operational in Victoria based on it being an essential service but was forced to close all its customer reception sites.

“The safety of our customers and employees is paramount,” a company spokesperson said in a statement provided to news.com.au.

“All courier drivers have been trained on safety procedures and are wearing PPE in line with authority requirements.

“The temporary closure of all DHL Express customer receptions in Victoria, implemented on July 9, is in effect until further notice.

“Pick-up and delivery services to residential addresses and businesses that remain open are continuing in accordance with local authority measures.

“Customers are encouraged to utilise our online shipment booking tool MyDHL+ to book a courier pick-up from a residence or place of business.

“Receivers of shipments are encouraged to check and utilise the On Demand Delivery options activated for their delivery by the sender, such as authorising a signature release or nominating delivery to an alternate address.”