May 22nd 2024.
Devon Meadows, a quiet semi-rural suburb located just 50km south-east of Melbourne's CBD, is experiencing rapid growth. Surrounded by new developments, this once small community is now bustling with amenities such as a McDonald's, Coles, and 7-Eleven convenience store, all just minutes away from Janni Linahan's home.
Despite the convenience of these amenities, there is one major inconvenience that residents of Devon Meadows have to face - the lack of direct parcel delivery. Due to the suburb's size and population, residents are not eligible for large parcel delivery and are forced to make a 40-minute drive through traffic to reach the nearest Australia Post pick-up point.
Linahan, who has been living in Devon Meadows for 14 years, expressed her frustration, saying, "We've never had parcel delivery here. It's just a pain." She went on to explain the impact this has on her daily life, saying, "If I want something quickly and I know I'm going to be at work all day, I have to start thinking, where am I buying things from."
The closest pick-up location for residents is the Cranbourne Parcel Collection Centre, which is out of the way for many. This has led to more than a hundred residents signing an online petition, calling for Australia Post to make changes to its delivery service.
The petition states, "As residents of Devon Meadows, we are regularly affected by the inconvenience and financial burden caused by Australia Post's refusal to deliver parcels directly to our area." It also highlights the additional costs and time incurred by residents who have to drive out of their way to collect their parcels.
Devon Meadows has a population of 1551 residents, according to the 2021 census. In comparison, the surrounding suburbs of Botanic Ridge and Cranbourne South have populations of 6739 and 17,400 respectively. Despite the smaller population, Devon Meadows residents feel that they deserve the same postal services as other areas.
Australia Post has stated that they are unable to deliver to the suburb due to its population and the size of its properties, many of which have long driveways. However, they have assured that they are monitoring the situation and will expand their services if the demand increases.
Linahan believes that the community needs the vital service of direct parcel delivery. "There used to be fields, but now there are thousands of houses there," she said. "It's a really hugely growing area. It's much bigger than it has ever been." With new estates and childcare centers springing up, Devon Meadows is a fast-developing suburb in need of efficient postal services.
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