NEWS that automated community mail hubs could replace the postman in some new communities has created outrage among seniors groups. However some councils are supportive of the idea, which Australia Post has confirmed it has already discussed with several Queensland councils as a conceptual option for future developments. It is believed parts of western Sydney are also being considered for pilot programs. An Australia Post brochure on the proposal said it was “keen to identify trial locations for the new system”. Under the concept, mail collection hubs containing up to 1200 individual mail boxes would be created at key access points in new developments. Residents would be notified by SMS if they had mail and would travel to the hub, where they would use a swipe card or pin number to access their mail box. Australia Post said there were no plans to change the current delivery arrangements or stop door-to-door delivery in existing communities. Systems like the proposed hubs are already used in Britain, the United States and Europe. However Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association spokeswoman Charmaine Crowe said the system would severely disadvantage older people.
“For pensioners it would be disastrous,” she said. “Many live in areas where there is poor public transport and very limited community transport. “It’s going to disadvantage a huge part of our community.” National Seniors Australia chief executive Michael O’Neill said community consultation was essential for councils considering trialling the system. “The majority of seniors would receive most of their communication by post, so it’s only going to increase social isolation if they can’t even get their post delivered to them direct any more,” he said “Such a proposal would impose a significant additional burden on the aged and infirm. “For example for those with limited mobility, getting to these centres would be difficult and they would have to rely on others.” He said increased petrol costs would also be an issue for those who did have access to a car. |
