Business
5 September, 2026
Yass Valley Council wants action on town’s post office
Yass Valley Council has expressed frustration over the length of time being taken to effect repairs and remove the hoarding and fencing around the town’s post office.
Yass Valley Council has expressed frustration over the length of time being taken to effect repairs and remove the hoarding and fencing around the town’s post office.
It has resolved to pursue the matter with the Federal Minister for Communications Anika Wells and the Minister for Local Government Kristy McBain.
It will request that they intervene and facilitate repairs to the heritage-listed building in Comur Street.
In his Notice of Motion passed unanimously at council’s August 27 meeting, Cr Allan McGrath said the protective hoarding and associated security fencing at the post office had been in place since March 2024 “with no apparent efforts having been made to address the deteriorating façade of the building beyond the temporary hoarding and fencing”.
He said he had tried on numerous occasions to speak with someone at Australia Post to get an update on the project but it had been “like the Berlin Wall”.
“Anyone with any authority isn’t available to talk to anyone,” he said.
Cr McGrath said he took the matter up with Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack in October last year.
He waited seven weeks for a response from Australia Post – without success – before taking it up with Mr McCormack’s office again.
Cr McGrath said the response he finally received from Australia Post was “fairly pathetic really”.
Australia Post said it recognised the vital role it played in providing services to the community.
It said the hoarding was in place as a “temporary precaution for pedestrians due to cracking and deterioration in the building’s façade”.
Australia Post told him that repairs to heritage buildings were “complex” and thanked the community for their patience while it sought advice from specialist heritage consultants.
“I’m pleased that they thank us for our patience but I think our patience is well and truly running out,” Cr McGrath said.
He said Australia Post was looking for alternative premises in most towns – given the older buildings were no longer fit for purpose – and assumed that was the case in Yass.
“I don’t have a problem with that but I do have a problem with the neglect of a heritage listed building in the middle of town.”
Cr Alvaro Charry – who seconded the motion – echoed Cr McGrath’s sentiments and commended him on his advocacy.
He said it had also been an issue discussed by the Yass Valley Business Chamber.
Mayor Jasmin Jones said the loss of the public seating in front of the building was a particular problem.
“It’s just not good enough for our community.
“Our elderly can’t sit and get the rest they need in the sunny spot on the sunny side of the street.”
She said it was also a problem for mums with prams who were unable to sit down and take a break.
“We have the luxury of a long country main street but it does have challenges and many of our residents do need to take a little break,” she said.
“It’s creating a less than desirable experience for visitors to the area as well.”
Cr Jones said she would take the matter up personally with Kristy McBain given she had successfully advocated for funding to upgrade the Goulburn Post Office.
“I commend your motion and I will attend to it with due diligence,” she told Cr McGrath.
Yass Post Office was designed by the Colonial Architect’s Office under James Barnett and completed in 1884. The clock turret was a later addition.
It was added to the NSW State Heritage Register on December 22, 2000.
--------------
Subscribe to The Southern Wire Newsletter for free at the link below.
https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/1986abc6-c89e-4781-9db2-cf35c9dd71e4
If you value independent local journalism across the Highlands, Tablelands and Wollondilly, please click the link below to support us to ensure we remain paywall free.
Read More: Southern Tablelands, Yass