‘Disappointing’: Elite suburb ‘ruined’ after critical service listed for sale

Residents of an affluent Sydney suburb have been left outraged by the closure of a vital service to make way for yet more “luxury apartments”.

One of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs is poised to lose its only remaining post office after the building was listed for sale, with the site being touted for its “luxury apartment potential”.

The Mosman Post Office, in Sydney’s Lower North Shore, is currently open to expressions of interest, offering wealthy buyers a chance to snatch up a landmark piece of the leafy suburb’s retail precinct - and locals are furious.

The listing comes as Mosman’s only other post office at Spit Junction closed its doors on Wednesday, on the same day a popular Mexican chain restaurant opened in the suburb.

According to Lowry Property Group, the lease for Mosman Post Office, which has served the community for over 100 years, is set to expire in two years.

With no option to renew, the sale casts questions marks over the future of suburb’s postal services.

“This mixed-use property is situated at the heart of Mosman’s retail precinct, offering unbeatable exposure and accessibility,” Lowry Property Group said in the real estate listing.

“It’s ideal for a luxury boutique residential project, with water views towards Manly.”

The Mosman Post Office, built in 1906, has been serving the community for over 100 years. Picture: Google Maps

Many shocked residents took to social media to express their outrage over the “depressing” news, with some claiming the move could see the suburb swamped with new apartments and spell trouble for elderly residents who rely on close access to postal services.

“This is such sad news. Soon Mosman will just be full of new badly built apartment blocks. Also where will the nearest post office be now?!” one person wrote.

“Didn’t we just lose Spit Junction already??? Are we gonna have any post office going forward???” said another.

“Who is doing this and just ruining our village … with Telstra and both post offices gone among other things it is utterly depressing news!” another wrote.

“Australia already has little historical/old buildings. Does everything need to be high rise something?! Disappointing,” said another, who urged locals to unite and “do something asap!”.

Residents feared the suburb will be swamped by ‘badly build new apartments’. Picture: Google Maps

Echoing online sentiments, Roy Bendall, an independent Councillor and former Deputy Mayor at Mosman Council said the news was creating a “a bit of fear and unrest in our community”.

“We cannot have a functioning municipality without a post office. It would be ridiculous,” he told news.com.au, sharing his own personal views.

Councillor Bendall said the closure of the second post office at Spit Junction is already a “huge loss to our community”.

“We’ve got so many elderly facilities around that area, and they’re the ones that really rely to physical post office and picking up parcels.”

With a lease in place for the next two years, Councillor Bendall said he plans to bring a motion to the next council meeting in November to seek assurances with Australia Post about the continuation of services for the community.

“I’m hoping that after the motion], we go and formally approach Australia Post and we can get some assurances that if the site is developed at Mosman Junction, that we will still have a post office,” he said, adding he’s hopeful other Councillors will agree.

In the meantime, he noted Mosman, with its incredible water views, is a prime location for any prospective buyers.

“The Mosman Junction sits on the crest of the hill, so you’re going to have amazing views all the way to the heads and to the other side towards the city.”

“We’ve got speculators all over the market here because we’re very lucky, we’re close to the city with good transport.”

The 753 sqm offers 10 car parks. Picture: Lowry Property Group

John Wakefield, who ran as a Labor candidate in last month’s local elections, is also “concerned” about the selling of the site, but he’s hopeful it won’t mark the end of Australia Post services in the community.

“There’s two years on the lease for Mosman Post Office and that’s enough time for them (Australia Post) to adapt,” he told news.com.au.

“In other areas where this has occurred – and there’s lots of other examples of it across Sydney – the post office doesn’t just withdraw. They set up alternative operations,” he said, noting exmaples of express post boxes cropping up in areas.

Mr Wakefield said it would be a worse scenario if Australia Post did not adapt to changing times.

“If they don’t adapt, then they will be less efficient and won’t be able to deliver the services into the future.”

“It’s about service provision isn’t about a building, and I’m hopeful that they will provide services in a different configuration in Mosman, in the future.”

In a statement to news.com.au, a Mosman Council spokesperson reassured it “considers it very important for the Mosman community to have a fully functional and operating Post Office in Mosman”.

“Should there be a prospect of the Post Office service closing or being withdrawn, Council would make strong representations for its retention,” the statement continued.

“All inquiries regarding the sale, rent or otherwise of the current building serving as the Post Office should be directed to Australia Post.”

The post office is being listed as an ideal site “for a luxury boutique residential project”. Picture: Lowry Property Group

An Australian Post spokesman told news.com.au they understand Mosman Post Shop is currently being listed for sale.

“We assure the community there are no current plans to close or relocate the Mosman Post Shop.”

They said the decision to close the suburb’s second Spit Junction Post Shop on Wednesday was “not made lightly and follows a drop in customer visits of 14 per cent since 2022 with customer visits now a long way below the state average”.

“We are working to establish a new self-service hub 30 metres away on Spit Road with 24/7 parcel lockers, Post Office Boxes and vending machine selling postal products.”

“In the meantime customers can continue to access Post Office Boxes and Parcel Lockers in their current location at 60 Spit Road.”

Popular food chain opens

The news comes as popular Mexican chain Guzman Y Gomez (GYG) opened its doors in Mosman on Wednesday.

The store, located on Military Road, was originally met with opposition from locals after an application to create a 24/7 restaurant was lodged to council last year.

Opening hours have since been walked back, with GYG stating it’s Mosman store is operational from 8am-11pm, seven days a week.

“I see it as a good thing,” Mr Bendall said of the opening. “Welcome to them, it’s good alternative dining for Mosman.”

Mosman residents have long been fighting developments in the community.

In 2018, Woolworths revealed plans to purchase a long stretch of stores along Military Road and build a “full line” grocery store with “longer shopping hours”.

In response residents formed the Mosman Village Community (MVC) to oppose the development.
Mr Wakefield said the group was opposed to the “Woolworths development which was for a full scale supermarket, not a Metro”.

After a lengthy battle, the decision was handed down to build a metro outlet rather than a “large scale” store that was originally planned.

Originally published as ‘Disappointing’: Elite suburb ‘ruined’ after critical service listed for sale