A grocery store will take on postal services in a Sunshine Coast town, to the relief of locals.
Mapleton IGA is set to open a new post office, within the supermarket on Flaxton Drive, early next year.
The announcement comes after the long-term operators of the Mapleton Licensed Post Office, at nearby Post Office Road, announced in early December that they will step down in February.
An Australia Post spokesperson said the new outlet would benefit locals.
“Australia Post is delighted to confirm the Mapleton IGA will be taking on postal services in town from February,” they said.
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“This change follows a decision from local licensees Elizabeth and David (Buckley), who are stepping away due to serious health concerns.
“Australia Post would like to express our sincere gratitude to Elizabeth and David for their dedicated service to the community over nearly two decades.”
The Buckleys have operated the Mapleton Licensed Post Office for almost two decades.
There is no street delivery service in the town, with mail instead sent to PO boxes at the local post office, which also serves residents in Flaxton, Kureelpa and Dulong.
Once the new post office is fully operational, it will offer a full range of postal services.
It will operate from within the IGA and there will be some minor modifications to accommodate this.
The spokesperson said Australia Post will “update the community as soon as there is more information to share”.
Mapleton District Community Association president Peter Gamgee was delighted to hear that services will continue.
“MADCA welcomes the news that Mapleton IGA will be taking on postal services from February,” he said.
“We’re pleased that Australia Post has worked to maintain postal services in Mapleton, and we thank the IGA for stepping up to provide this essential community service.
“The Anderson family, who own and have grown the IGA, are also great community members and contributors.
“We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth and David for their 18 years of dedicated service to the Mapleton community.”
MADCA had advocated for the continuity of postal services.
Group member Ian Stannard said, in early December, that the services, particularly the banking facilities provided through Bank@Post, were essential.
“This is framed as a crucial necessity for the range’s community profile, given the older demographic and the significant challenge posed by limited public transportation for those who would otherwise have to travel long distances for banking and essential postal services.”
Locals had also contacted Australia Post with their concerns.
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, provided Sunshine Coast News with a copy of a letter she had sent to Australia Post about the situation.
“Many elderly and mobility-limited residents in Mapleton rely heavily on our local post office for essential services.”
“These include accessing mail, withdrawing cash, lodging important documents, sending parcels, paying bills and receiving ID cards, Medicare cards, bank cards, registrations, and rate notices, all of which are typically delivered by post.”
Sunshine Coast News has reached out to the Mapleton IGA for comment.
