Breamlea residents oppose ‘crucial community hub’ closure

Breamlea residents are petitioning Barwon Coast to keep their post office open, saying it is a crucial community hub in a sensitive, isolated area.

Clark Coleman, left, and his fellow Breamlea residents are petitioning to keep their general store open. Picture: Alison Wynd

Angry Breamlea residents are fighting to keep their Post Office and General Store open, saying closing the ‘crucial community hub’ could significantly isolate the ageing community.

Breamlea General Store, the town’s only shop, has been managed by Barwon Coast since they took over from Geelong council in 2022.

Residents learned of the planned May 5 closure after Australia Post placed a notice on the door.

A “save our shop” petition was launched on March 7 and in less than a week had received more than 180 signatures — representing 90 per cent of the residential population.

The community requested Barwon Coast delay closure of the store in order to collaborate on solutions, but residents say they were denied the request.

Local Clark Coleman said the community had all been stunned by the news, and loosing the store would impair the small town’s ability to communicate.

“It’s a focal point, the only way of getting news from neighbours,” he said.

“You’ve only got to say one rumour in Breamlea, and everyone knows.

“That’s a good thing, if someone’s not well, or needs help, that’s how it gets around.”

He said for the elderly in the community it was where they went to pay bills and stay connected.

Mr Coleman said many local residents felt the closure showed Barwon Coast management never wanted to run the store.

“Their core business is the caravan park and foreshore, that’s what they run in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads and that’s what they wanted to do here,” he said.

“Let the council run it again.”

Clark Coleman, left, and his fellow Breamlea residents are petitioning to keep their general store open. Picture: Alison Wynd

Barwon Coast chief executive officer Gareth Smith said in response to the petition it held a community meeting but ultimately decided to reduce store operations.

“We take our responsibility as coastal land managers very seriously, which includes ensuring we balance community priorities with our key responsibility – caring for the coast – in a financially responsible way,” he said. .

“The post office and store operate at a $80,000loss.”

He said Barwon Coast had investigated potential operating models following community consultation in 2023 but keeping it open was not financially viable.

Mr Smith said Barwon Coast had invested more than $340,000 into Breamlea foreshore and caravan park since 2022.

Breamlea caravan park and general store. Picture: Alison Wynd

He said the store closure has been delayed until an alternative postal service was in place.

Resident Dean Warren said residents were sceptical Barwon Coast had attempted to make the shop financially viable.

“It seems they never wanted it,” he said.

“But it has been an asset to the community.”

Geelong council executive director placemaking Tennille Bradley said the City was

advocating on behalf of the community to ensure postal services continue there.

“We’ve had discussions with Barwon Coast and Australia Post about how services can be maintained until a solution is found,” she said.

An Australia Post spokeswoman said it was working towards replacing the post office with Community Mail Boxes, accessible 24/7.

Originally published as Breamlea residents oppose ‘crucial community hub’ closure