Australia Post has announced a significant restoration and upgrade for the heritage-listed Yass Post Office, offering a glimmer of progress amid ongoing community frustration over heritage repair delays in both Yass and Goulburn.
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While the 1880s Yass building continues to operate despite exterior deterioration, Australia Post revealed on October 2 that it is in the early planning stages for a refresh that will include the installation of free 24/7 parcel lockers.
Australia Post retail operations general manager Sarah Coe said preserving the Yass Post Office was about investing in the future and respecting its rich history.
"The Yass Post Office has been serving the local community for more than a century, and we're now focused on its refresh," Ms Coe said.
"Restoration work takes careful planning, and we can't wait to unveil our new, upgraded Post Office."
The announcement comes after Yass councillors unanimously supported a motion at their August meeting to ask federal Communications Minister Anika Wells to intervene on the "long-delayed repairs". Hoarding was erected along the frontage in March 2024 as a temporary safety precaution due to structural issues and facade cracking.
Cr Allan McGrath previously noted that material had fallen from the building, describing the delay as treating the community with contempt.
Mayor Jasmin Jones also pledged to make representations to Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain, citing Ms McBain's advocacy for the Goulburn Post Office.
In Goulburn, Australia Post has declined to outline preliminary work undertaken on the 1880-1881 James Barnet-designed building before an expected mid-2027 reopening.
The Goulburn Post Office at 165 Auburn Street was closed in mid-February 2025 for lead contamination remediation, with services temporarily moved opposite the old premises to 172 Auburn Street.
An Australia Post spokesperson said the Goulburn restoration works required specialised expertise, adding that the project is progressing well through a competitive tender process. The provider declined to provide a cost estimate, citing commercially sensitive information.
Goulburn man Barry McDonald welcomed the eventual reopening but remains sceptical of the timeframe, especially before a 9 per cent rise in letter postage from September 1.
"It wouldn't be the first time Australia Post has discovered lead in its painted surfaces. I would have thought they'd know by now what was required to fix it," he said.
Australia Post will provide further updates to the community on the Yass construction timeline as planning progresses.
Louise Thrower
Sally Foy
I've been a journalist working for regional communities spanning southern NSW for the past two decades. I am also a mother and advocate for children with a disability and epilepsy.
