Australia Post to deliver mail to homes in Virginia in Adelaide’s north after backlash

Australia Post was unmoved by community uproar over its “no mail for you” policy in a fast-growing Adelaide suburb – but media scrutiny changed everything.

The Virginia Post Office. Picture: Russell Millard

Australia Post has reversed a long-held, unpopular policy against delivering letters to homes in a growing Adelaide suburb, just days after The Advertiser shed light on the difficulties faced by residents.

An Australia Post spokeswoman on Tuesday said home delivery of letters in Virginia would start in the coming weeks in light of “population growth and some urgent circumstances affecting the local owners of the Virginia post office”.

“Households will need a letterbox to receive this service,” she said.

“We acknowledge the concerns expressed by the community and thank customers for their patience while we have worked to put a plan in place for updated postal logistics.

“Australia Post is also exploring options for the installation of parcel lockers in these areas to ensure, free 24/7 access to parcels for customers.

Virginia residents Will Shrubsole, 39, and Andrew Williams, 24, at the Virginia Post Office. Picture: Russell Millard

“Customers who currently lease a post office box at the Virginia LPO can choose to continue using their PO box, or transition to home letter delivery.

Virginia resident Weky Nisnona was lucky enough to score one of the post office’s in-demand PO boxes. Picture: Russell Millard

“Australia Post will provide more information to customers soon.”

Letters will still not be delivered to Riverlea Park residents, who must continue to collect their letters from Two Wells post office unless they have a box at Virginia post office.

It comes after Australia Post last month told Virginia residents they would need to travel to the Burton post office – almost 10km away – to receive their mail because of an indefinite pause on deliveries to Virginia.

The pause threw fuel on the fire for residents frustrated with the organisation’s policy of not delivering letters directly to homes in the suburb north of Adelaide, which has grown rapidly.

Playford Council Mayor Glenn Docherty said the reversal was a “commonsense outcome”.

“Reliable mail delivery is a basic service, and council is pleased to see Australia Post acting on the concerns raised by the community,” he said in a statement.

“It is a commonsense outcome that reflects the value of listening to local voices.

“Council will continue advocating to ensure that people living in growing areas like Playford aren’t left behind.”

Playford Council last month voted to write to Australia Post chief executive Paul Graham requesting he reinstate local collections and start mail deliveries at Virginia.

Labor member for Spence Matt Burnell, who has campaigned against the policy, previously said 92 per cent of residents who had responded to a poll were in favour of home mail deliveries, but Australia Post had counted it as a majority “no” vote because of its policy of treating unanswered responses as “no” votes.

Originally published as Australia Post to deliver mail to homes in Virginia in Adelaide’s north after backlash