Why your letters could take longer to be delivered
Australia Post announces temporary changes to its postal service.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AUSTRALIA Post has announced temporary changes to its postal service in response to COVID-19 crisis.
A spokeswoman for the corporation said there would temporary changes to letter delivery in metropolitan areas, with letter volumes in May down about 36 per cent on the previous year.
She said the move had been requested to enable important community services to continue, including daily parcel delivery and Express Post delivery, daily letter delivery in rural and regional Australia and all PO Boxes.
"The temporary changes to letter delivery will only happen in metro areas and allow us to redeploy some of our posties to where their help is needed most - in parcel processing and delivery. We will still require posties to deliver letters," the spokeswoman said.
More stories:
Aussie tradies swap the tools for textiles
Caneland store serves up delightful desserts
Iconic store closes its doors after 45 years
"The shift to online retail has dramatically increased during COVID, meaning that many Australian consumers and small businesses now rely on Australia Post to get their product to their customers as their main channel of business."
Labor Senator Nita Green said Mackay was set to be among the hardest hit by the changes.
"Under the Morrison Government's plan, mail delivery time frames in regional Queensland will blow out from as few as three business days to seven full days," Ms Green said.
"And across Australia, any areas that currently receive daily postal deliveries will be cut back to every second day.
"At a time of economic uncertainty across regional Australia, now is not the time to be slashing jobs or services in regional areas."
Dawson MP George Christensen has hit back at Ms Green's claims, saying Australia Post was an independent public authority not funded by taxes nor government controlled.
"She also seems unaware that Australia Post have taken these temporary measures to deal with the surge in parcel deliveries because a lot of people have stayed home and ordered online rather than buying in store," Mr Christensen said.
Subscriber benefits:
How to make the most of your digital subscription
Daily puzzles and Sudoku another reason to stay subscribed
"Australia Post are urging politicians like Ms Green to support the temporary changes they have made and to stop spreading fake news about posties being sacked."
Australia Post has called on all Members of Parliament and Senators to support the critical role of the service.
Two injured after car rolls on rural road
Two young men were lucky to escape serious injury after rolling their car on a rural Queensland road.
Diesel fitting to dessert: Inside family’s sweet new business
A Mackay mum with baking in her blood is bringing a Cheesecake Shop to the Northern Beaches with her dedicated hubby even quitting his job to be by her side. VIDEO, DETAILS.
DV strangler breached court orders in under 24 hours
A man convicted of choking his former partner told a judge the bizarre reason he breached a court order the next day — but has kept his hands to himself since.
Cane train goes off the rails
A cane train has derailed on a Mackay road, with a crane called in to help clean up the mess — including full bins.
‘Pineapple man’ legacy fades as farmland faces housing takeover
A bold plan to turn farmland into a major housing development with 186 homes could shape Mackay’s fastest growing region. SEE THE PROPOSAL
Whistleblower stoush ends in massive settlement
A Queensland mine operator has agreed to pay a multimillion-dollar settlement over the alleged treatment of a former employee who accused the company of falsifying coal quality results.