Team members (from left) Bala, Deenorah, Michael, Kate and Leigh in Thursday Island’s new post office. Photos: Supplied.
A new post office has opened on Thursday Island and it took “months of work behind the scenes”, according to Cook MP David Kempton.
The new Thursday Island Post Office, at 79 Douglas St, officially opened on 30 March.
The old post office’s doors were closed for the last time at 5 pm four days earlier.
Mr Kempton said he understood the importance of mail services on the island and supported aspects of the transition arrangements to ensure continuity of services for the community.
“In the age of digital communication, a post office remains a critical service in remote areas, and I recognise that,” he said.
The new Thursday Island Post Office will service the community five days a week.
“As the most populous island in the region, home to almost 2800 residents, the post office plays a vital role as a community hub, allowing locals to pay bills, purchase stationery and access banking services.
“Access to core services such as postal services, education and health is essential, and I’ve fought hard for the community to once again have a reliable mail service.”
Sarah Coe, Australia Post’s general manager of Retail Operations North, said getting the new post office up and running involved strong collaboration.
“We’re proud to open a new, permanent post office for the Thursday Island community, ensuring local residents continue to have access to essential postal services,” she said.
“We appreciate the collaboration and support of David Kempton, Member for Cook, in working with us while we secured temporary arrangements that ensured continuity of service and progressed a long-term solution to meet the needs of the community.
“We also thank Mura Kosker for stepping up to support Australia Post during the transition.”
Not-for-profit Mura Kosker Sorority is a family and community wellbeing organisation providing services and programs in the Torres Strait.
The new post office is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. It’s closed for lunch from 1-2 pm.
Post office box holders were advised on Friday (10 April) that a new container location had not yet been confirmed.
Australia Post apologised for any inconvenience and is due to issue an update on the relocation of PO boxes soon.
