Hi all,
Thank you to those that have taken the time to sign this online petition, as I know not much notice was given. We've received 87 signatures in one week!
The consultation closes at 11:59pm tonight. First thing tomorrow morning, I will be sending a letter to AusPost with a copy of this petition's signatures (87 total) and comments (10 total).
Ironically, there is no option to email AusPost and they only accept letters. So I'll be posting my letter from the very post office in question!
A copy of my letter is below for information, which I have also forwarded to the Local Member for Adelaide.
Thank you all again for your voices on this matter.
RE: Proposed closure of the Gouger Street Post Office, Adelaide
To whom it may concern,
My name is Councillor Eleanor Freeman, and I write in my capacity as both a local resident and an elected member representing the local community and area in which the Gouger Street Post Office is located, that Australia Post announced on 31 July 2026 was planned for closure this year.
My local community are very disappointed by Australia Post’s decision to close the only post office within convenient walking distance of Adelaide City’s west, and due consideration of the impacts of this decision on local residents, small businesses and our community appear to have been grossly overlooked.
To city locals, it’s not just a post office. It’s a local destination to walk to and pay our bills, a place to chat with neighbours, and somewhere small businesses can undertake weekly tasks with ease. It’s an essential service that provides many opportunities for people to connect with their local community. But that relies on close proximity – and while you may be able to simply relocate a post office, you cannot simply relocate a community with it.
City living is a choice made by many to prioritise proximity over car dependence. This is reflected in the City of Adelaide’s low levels of car ownership, with over 30% of residents living without a registered vehicle, compared to just 7.1% state-wide. The city is home to a higher proportion of older retirees, younger renters, recent migrants and international students – many of whom do not, or cannot, rely on a car. Removing essential services from a walkable local circuit therefore has a greater impact on this community than it would in other parts of the state.
The proposed alternative post office locations, all at least one kilometre further away, fail to recognise this reality. The additional distance creates a significant barrier for residents – particularly those without access to a car or with mobility limitations. Current 15-minute journeys by foot would become 45-minutes, and no longer convenient for many to walk. An increased reliance on public transport or car parking would add further traffic to already congested parts of Adelaide City. For some, the additional distance may make the journey impractical altogether, reducing their access to essential services and contributing to social isolation.
This impact will not be limited to existing residents. The western half of Adelaide City has been identified as the biggest growth area within the City of Adelaide, with approximately 10,000 additional residents expected by 2036. Removing an established essential service needed to support this significant growth fails to cater to the needs of the future population and creates a legacy issue. Further, removal of the post office may diminish the amenity and attractiveness of the area for future developers currently considering investment in Adelaide’s west.
I am also concerned that the consultation has not provided a fair opportunity for all affected community members to have their views heard and considered. My understanding is that only PO Box holders were notified of the proposed closure, while other customers had to rely on posters within the post office for information. I was not aware of the proposed closure myself until alerted by a PO Box holder, despite being a weekly visitor and Councillor representing the area. I therefore question how Australia Post can genuinely consider feedback received when the broader community have not been given meaningful opportunities to participate.
Australia Post’s website statement published on 31 July 2026 confirms that the decision to close the post office has already been made, with consultation limited to how people can be supported during the transition. I fail to see what measures could adequately replace the loss of an essential service within a convenient, walkable distance for a community known to less car dependent. I firmly believe the only effective measure would be to retain the Gouger Street Post Office in its current location or relocate it to another location nearby.
I’d like to draw your attention to a petition containing 87 verified signatures from local community members that also oppose the closure of the Gouger Street Post Office and call for its retention within the western half of Adelaide City.
I also respectfully request a response from Australia Post outlining:
- Why retention of a post office in Adelaide City’s west has not been proposed, whether in the current location or an alternative location nearby
- How the proposed closure has considered the significant growth expected in Adelaide City's west towards 2036 of some 10,000 additional residents
- The transitional arrangements proposed to support residents accessing alternative post offices that do not, or cannot, drive regularly
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter and I welcome any opportunity to discuss it further.
Kind regards,
Eleanor Freeman
Central Ward Councillor, City of Adelaide
Sunday 16 August 2026