Like many licensed post offices (LPOs) across NSW, Gulgong Post Office is struggling to remain viable with the commissions currently paid by Australia Post. 

Under a 21-year-old agreement between Australian Post and its franchisees, commissions paid to LPO owners have fallen around 40 per cent behind their cost increases. 

Although the volume of mail passing through Gulgong Post Office is stable, the business has also been affected by online services and direct competition with Australia Post itself. 

Gulgong Chamber of Commerce president Tony Harrison said while there was no suggestion that Australia Post intended to close Gulgong Post Office, the business could not stay open if the owners could not cover costs. 

He supported calls for residents to make submissions to a senate standing committee currently looking at the role of Australia Post and its relationship with licenced post offices. 

But he added that residents should also support the post office by learning what services it offers and making use of them.

“Most people wouldn’t know that the Gulgong Post Office is an agent for 72 banks and credit unions,” he said. 

“The Post Office can do all kinds of bank transactions, as well as paying power and telephone bills, NRMA bills, green slips… the facilities are all here. 

“The Post Office is a one-stop shop and it’s very good for the older fraternity who do not want to pay bills online.

“We need to educate the community and put it out there what they could do here in the post office.” 

The Gulgong Post Office also sells mobile and landline phones, printers, inks, smart pads and accessories, gifts, greeting cards,  travel accessories, and train and bus tickets  and handles passport applications, Centrelink self-service and Workcover applications. 

Mr Harrison said if the Gulgong Post Office closed, the knock-on effect would be felt throughout the town. 

The Gulgong Post Office has a staff of six, including licensees Vice and Alison Cooney, as well as three contractors who deliver to surrounding areas.

But Mr Harrison said if customers who currently do business though the post office had to travel to Mudgee, it was likely that other local businesses, such as the supermarket and pharmacy, newsagency, service station and other retailers would also suffer. 

“If people go to Mudgee, are they going to come back to Gulgong to shop?” he asked. 

Older residents who did not online banking or pay bills online would also be disadvantaged, he said. 

Mr Harrison said some residents of outlying areas who did not have a mail delivery service travelled as far as 60km to pick up their mail from the Gulgong Post Office. 

Without a post office in Gulgong, they would have to travel the further distance to Mudgee and would likely do their shopping there instead of Gulgong, he said. 

Mr Harrison said the Chamber of Commerce would be making a submission to the senate standing committee, which is due to report on August 27, and encouraged others to write the inquiry or to Member for Parkes Mark Coulton. 

“The Chamber is getting behind the Gulgong Post Office to ensure that it is here into the next century,” he said.