Pipped by the post

By Bridget Brady
THEY have their own postcode, but no post office. And Lynbrook residents say it’s about time that changed.
Residents and business owners have lobbied for an Australia Post Shop in their town for more than two years, and this week they reignited their calls for a post office by setting up a petition for people to sign.
Chairman of the Lynbrook Residents’ Association Neil Smith said a post office would also cater for people who lived in Lyndhurst and worked in the nearby industrial area. The closest Australia Post stores are in Hampton Park, Cranbourne North and Dandenong.
“There are plenty of reasons why we need one (post office). Getting it is the hard part,” Mr Smith said.
Owner of Lynbrook Village News and Lotto Peter Connell said the Lynbrook and Lyndhurst area was growing rapidly.
“There is already a big demand for it now. Imagine what it will be like in the next few years … we need one now,” he said.
Casey Mayfield Ward councillor Amanda Stapledon said a post office in Lynbrook was well overdue.“It would also take a lot of pressure off the other stores,” Cr Stapledon said. “They’re bombarded.”
Mr Connell said he had tried to speak with Australia Post about getting an outlet set up in his store.
“They (Australia Post) told us a few years ago that it was not viable to open a store here … they have not really given us the time of day.”
And the message from Australia Post remains the same.
Spokesperson Nadine Lyford said Australia Post had no current plans to open a post office in the area.
“This locality is already well serviced,” Ms Lyford said. “At the moment, the area could not sustain another outlet. However, we are very aware that Lynbrook and Lyndhurst are developing suburbs and will certainly reconsider our options as the population increases in the future.”
Mr Connell said it would “make sense” to open an outlet at his store.
“People already come in to my store and ask where they can post letters. And if the service out-grows the store then we can look to move it elsewhere to an independent outlet.”
Cr Stapeldon said she was confident the council could achieve a positive outcome for residents. People can sign the petition at the Lynbrook Village News and Lotto.