Seven months after being downgraded to a Community Post Office co-located with Marilyn’s Pharmacy, Australia Post has confirmed full postal services and banking through Australia Post will resume from late October.
The service will continue to be located at Marilyn’s Pharmacy.
The announcement follows months of community advocacy after the downgrade was implemented with little warning on February 6 this year.
The decision sparked immediate backlash, with locals rallying alongside Member for Murray Helen Dalton, who pressed Australia Post for answers both in writing and directly to CEO Paul Graham at Parliament House.
“This is proof that when rural communities fight back, we can win,” Mrs Dalton said.
“When you close post offices, you kill off economies in rural towns like Coleambally.”
Mrs Dalton said the initial lack of consultation was “a disgrace”, and says her decision to confront the CEO in person was “necessary”.
“It was important to me that Mr Graham understood the pain this closure was causing the people of Coleambally,” she said.
“And it wasn’t just me fighting this closure. The whole community marched through Coleambally with me to protest the closure, and clearly, we got Australia Post’s attention.”
Marilyn’s Pharmacy pharmacist Ross Myers said taking after acting as CPO, becoming an LPO was the natural next step.
“It’s going to return services back into the community - banking and bill paying mainly,” he said.
“We did have an agency, so becoming a Licensed Post Office is the next step up.”
Pharmacy staff are now undergoing in‑depth Australia Post training, with the shop being redesigned to better handle parcels and customer flow.
“When we first made the transition there were some initial hiccups. For instance, the shop wasn’t designed for holding packages, so we’re being redesigned,” Mr Myers said.
A new counter will be installed to allow Bank@Post and bill‑pay services, with the upgraded LPO expected to open late October.
Australia Post said the decision to re‑establish an LPO in Coleambally followed an extensive review of postal services and a successful expression of interest process.
“The pharmacy has already demonstrated its commitment to the community, having operated a Community Postal Agency after it stepped in at short notice when the previous LPO closed unexpectedly,” said an Australia Post spokesperson.
“We thank all applicants who expressed interest in supporting postal services in Coleambally and look forward to keeping the community updated on when Marilyn’s Pharmacy will begin providing full postal and banking services.”
Ms Dalton said it was a win for rural and regional Australia.
“I congratulate Australia Post on prioritising the restoration of postal services to Coleambally,” she said.
“Everyone involved in this fight should be very proud of what we have achieved.
“Make no mistake, rural Australia will fight back when we are threatened with cuts like this.”
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