Manly Post Office, which shut in mid-March during an East Coast Low that inundated surrounding streets with stormwater and caused minor flooding, remains shuttered over a month later. A for lease sign was erected, and was removed after our story was published.
The shop, at 22 Central Ave Manly, previously attached an official Australia Post printed poster in the window stating: “Due to ongoing fallout from the recent flooding, Manly PO is temporarily closed from Friday 18 March. This is because the health and safety of our customers is our highest priority…”
Customers were advised to collect PO Box mail and carded parcels from the Dee Why Post Office at 32 Oaks Ave – at least 15 minutes drive away – or, for counter services, to visit Balgowlah, Balgowlah Heights, Freshwater, Harbord West and Warringah Mall. An accompanying hand-written notice recommended customers visit the AusPost website or call a customer help line for further information. It has caused considerable frustration for locals, many of whom have informed us the redirect is difficult for non-drivers and already overloaded with long wait times.
Australia Post has responded to our queries and stated there are no plans to shut up shop in Manly, or anywhere on the Northern Beaches, but a full refit will take some time. A pop up will be temporarily installed but will take weeks they advised in early May. We will update this story once the pop location is confirmed and ready to open.
A spokesperson for Australia Post told Manly Observer, “Manly Post Office was temporarily closed in March due to severe flooding, which resulted in extensive damage. Following a detailed assessment, a full re-fit of the premises is required, which will take some time to complete.
“Australia Post is working to confirm its temporary pop-up site in Manly in the coming days, and once confirmed it will look to open in the coming weeks. Australia Post remains focused on restoring a full-service Post Office to Manly as soon as we can. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused our local customers and we will keep the community informed of our progress.”
Australia Post has confirmed to Manly Observer they have a lease on their primary site in Central Avenue until December 2022.
Previously, 28 April 2022:
Will a post office reopen in Manly?
Given the concern in the community over the prospect over Manly losing its post office, we approached the local federal member asking for an answer.
Warringah MP Zali Steggall, said Australia Post advised her that “The plan is for the current office to re-open in the same location (despite the ‘For Lease’ sign), once all the [flood damage] repairs have been made.
“In the meantime, they are planning on opening up a temporary site in Manly for parcel and PO Box collection, but this is a couple of weeks away.”
The “For Lease” sign cannot be explained, and Belle Property did not respond to our enquiries.
Ms Steggall said earlier: “The Manly Post Office provides an essential service to the people of Manly. It’s not just mail delivery and parcel pick up – it’s other things from processing passports to providing stationery to in-person banking.
“I would oppose any move towards not having a post office located in the Manly CBD area.”
