A race against time

Tablelands town desperate to find post office buyer

WITH the owner of Millaa Millaa’s post office ready to take a well deserved break, the search is on for someone to take up the mantle.

Millaa Millaa Post Office and Gift Shop announced on Facebook last week that the owner would be putting the business up for sale at a reduced price due to health reasons.

The decision came with a proviso – the business must be in new hands by January 1 or they will be forced to close.

Tablelands and Malanda real estate saleswoman Suzanne Reynolds said nobody in town wanted to lose the post office, making it vital to find a new owner before the end of the year.

“It’s such an important meeting point in the town, and so many people use it for banking, paying bills and rates,” she said.

The licensed post office has 160 post boxes, 145 of which are currently leased, and is also an access point for Centrelink.

The gift shop stocks local products, unique giftware, exclusive souvenirs and women’s fashion items.

Residents are concerned that if the post office is forced to close, it will move business to Malanda, north.

Tobin’s supermarket employee Karen Stinson said if people had to start travelling to Malanda for mail and banking, they might start doing their shopping there as well.

“Not having a post office could take people out of town, which would make it hard for businesses like us,” she said.

“It’s difficult – the owner 22 kilometres needs to retire, but the town also can’t afford to lose another business.”

Ms Reynolds said a single person would be able to run the business with completion of a three-month course from Australia Post.

The post office is listed for sale at tablelands.com.

An Australia Post spokesman said a successful licensee would need to ensure their premises were suitable for operations, including a counter and secure and sufficient space to accommodate the receipt and distribution of mail.

“Australia Post is committed to retaining a presence in Millaa Millaa and will work with the community to ensure the ongoing provision of postal services in the area,” he said.

The owner declined to comment.