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Newstead’s post office: How a community can help secure its future

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Kerry CainTarrangower Times

For rural communities across Australia, local post offices play an invaluable role, providing essential services that go beyond just sending mail. Like many small towns, Newstead’s post office is a hub of connectivity and convenience, offering access to parcels, bill payments and a pharmacy under one roof.

While changes are coming to Australia Post, such as a decline in letter volumes and reliance on online services, which caused the closures of some metro outlets, closures of rural and remote post offices like Newstead’s are not on the horizon. Instead, Australia Post’s emphasis is on adapting to evolving customer needs and is supporting these country outlets to thrive in a shifting landscape.

The role of the community in supporting Newstead Post Office and Pharmacy

Australia Post has affirmed its commitment to keeping rural post offices open, recognising their importance to small towns. However, adapting to modern demands is essential for these post offices to thrive and community support plays a critical role. Newstead’s residents can make a significant impact by purchasing stamps, sending parcels, or paying bills in person—all of which keep their post office relevant and well-utilised.

Additionally, Newstead’s post office shares its space with a local pharmacy and support for the pharmacy directly benefits the post office. Revenue from the pharmacy helps offset operational costs, ensuring both services remain available to the community. By filling prescriptions locally or purchasing health items from the pharmacy, residents contribute to the financial sustainability of the combined services, reinforcing the stability of Newstead’s post office.

Adapting to new realities in mail and parcel services

With the shift from letters to parcels, Australia Post is rethinking its service delivery. As the frequency of traditional letter deliveries reduces, post offices are focusing more on parcel services and other modern conveniences. Newstead Post Office and Pharmacy is well-positioned to meet these changing needs, integrating services that bring added value to the community.

Mina owns the combined Newstead Post Office and Pharmacy and has observed how customer behaviours have changed over the years. “We’ve seen a big drop in letter postage but an increase in parcel services,” Mina said. “The pharmacy has helped balance things out, but community support for both the pharmacy and post office services is still important.” 

Looking ahead: ensuring a sustainable future 

With Australia Post committed to keeping rural outlets like Newstead’s open, the focus now is on sustainability and service evolution. For small towns, this means ensuring post offices continue to be active, well-supported hubs. Newstead residents can secure their post office’s future by making it a preferred stop for sending parcels, buying stamps, and accessing pharmacy services.

Through consistent community use and support, Newstead can help its post office and pharmacy not only survive but thrive, creating a sustainable model for years to come.

Tarrangower Times 15 November 2024

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 15 November 2024.

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