To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in parliament:

The petition of certain residents and ratepayers of Beechworth, Victoria, and visitors to our community draws to the attention of the House that Australia Post proposes to convert (downgrade) the Beechworth Post Office from a corporate office to a licensed outlet. This is being done without any community consultation. Seven local employees will be transferred from the town with subsequent loss of local knowledge and negative economic impact. Mail delivery will be handled from Wodonga.

Any new licensee will have the option to operate from other premises. If Australia Post ceases to operate in the heritage Post Office the authenticity of that building still being used for the purpose for which it was built 140 years ago will be lost. The loss of local postal officers who have had a long term commitment to the town and its development will also be a blow to the community.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to declare this an exceptional circumstance and to urge Australia Post in the strongest possible terms to uphold its stated commitment to social and heritage values by maintaining the Beechworth Post Office in its present 140 year old location as a corporate Post Office in a nationally heritage listed streetscape.