Ipswich City Councillor Jim Madden is calling on Australia Post to reverse its decision to close the Amberley Post Office, warning the move will create major inconvenience for thousands of Defence personnel and contractors.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio, Cr Madden said the post office, located within RAAF Base Amberley, is scheduled to close on 28 August despite serving more than 5,000 people who travel to and from the base each day.
“It’s an absolute mystery why they’re doing this,” Cr Madden said.
Unlike most Australia Post outlets, the Amberley facility provides both postal and banking services, allowing staff to pay bills, withdraw cash and access everyday banking while at work.
Cr Madden said its closure would force personnel to travel more than 30 minutes to the nearest post office outside the base.
“It’s going to cause an incredible amount of inconvenience,” he said.
In response, Ipswich City Council has unanimously supported a motion requesting the Federal Government intervene.
Cr Madden said the Mayor would write to Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher and Communications Minister Anika Wells, asking them, as shareholder ministers of Australia Post, to reverse the decision.
He said the closure contradicted significant government investment occurring across Ipswich’s western corridor.
“At a time when services are expanding with new police stations, fire stations and schools, it doesn’t make sense to withdraw an essential Australia Post service,” he said.
Community courts receive upgrades
Cr Madden also highlighted improvements to sporting facilities across Division 4, with upgraded multi-purpose courts now completed at Henry Lawson Bicentennial Park and Stallard Park.
The refurbished courts now feature fresh acrylic surfaces and accommodate basketball, netball, pickleball and mini-netball.
Marburg will also benefit, with a new basketball hoop to be installed alongside the existing netball court after provisional council funding was secured.
“We’re trying to make the best use of those provisional funding projects,” Cr Madden said.
Roadworks begin on Evans Hill landslip
Meanwhile, long-awaited repairs have finally begun on the Rosewood-Marburg Road at Evans Hill following a landslip that reduced the road to a single lane nearly two years ago.
Traffic lights will remain in place while the Department of Transport and Main Roads carries out the repairs, with work expected to continue into 2027.
“At least Transport and Main Roads have listened and started fixing the problem,” Cr Madden said.
Councillor taking community meetings on the road
Cr Madden said he would continue holding community pop-up sessions across Division 4, including appearances at local shopping centres, markets and community venues.
With divisional councillors now based at Ipswich City Council’s headquarters in Nicholas Street, he said the pop-ups provided an important opportunity to hear directly from residents.
“This is a way for us to go to the community, speak with our constituents and hear about the matters that are important to them,” he said.
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