Post Office Building to be Post Office again

At the meeting of Central Darling Shire Council in Ivanhoe today, two reports were considered regarding the future of the old Post Office building in Wilcannia and the purchase of the existing Licensed Post Office business from the current licensee.

The reports were adopted so the Council will now purchase the business and relocate it to the Old Wilcannia Post Office building. Council will also be investigating the possibility for the opening of a Tourist Information Centre in the same building.

Clr. Ray Longfellow, Mayor of Central Darling Shire, said he was delighted that Council had resolved to operate the Post Office and return it back to the building from which it had historically operated.

“It has been approximately 15 years since the Post Office business was removed from the original Post Office building. We are pleased to see the business returning to the old building, which had served as Wilcannia’s Post Office for over 120 years.”

“Based on comments within the community and the results of a recent round of community consultation, it is clear there is strong support for Council to operate the Post Office business and set up a tourist centre to promote the area and cater for the many tourists that travel in and through the Far West of the State.”

Council has commenced the process of transferring the Licence for the Post Office with Australia Post and is hopeful of being able to start operations from early November. The Post Office will be staffed by Council employees.

With the additional space available in the Post Office building Council will be looking to expand the range of merchandise currently sold in the Post Office. This will make it possible for the community to purchase items in town that previously would have required a trip to Broken Hill.

Further work on the tourism centre is required before it can proceed. In the meantime tourist brochures and some tourist merchandise will be available in the Post Office as well as friendly advice from the Post Office staff.