Post Office to keep operating | Whitsundays News | Local News in Whitsundays

THE Airlie Beach Post office will continue to operate from its current location but as a mini-branch.

As construction of an additional 1500 post boxes at the new corporate Australia Post outlet in Cannonvale gets underway, details are being finalised in Airlie between the company and a new licensee.

Concerns about the closure were allayed by Australia Post area manager for North Queensland Shane Devereaux this week when he confirmed the service would continue in downtown Airlie but in a smaller capacity.

A local business owner has signed up as the new licensee and is expected to shift to the current location and be up and running by February.

While delivery and operational functions have been shifted to Cannonvale, Mr Devereaux said Airlie's mini branch would provide the services expected from a stand alone Post Office.

It will be business as usual at the outlet until December when renovations will start and all mail will be redirected to Cannonvale.

Once complete - postage, banking, bill pay, recharge, post boxes and retail products will all be available from the mini branch in Airlie, which will be housed inside another business.

"In conjunction with another business, it'll be much, much less rent," Mr Devereaux said.

"It's a solution as well for the new licensee."

He said box preference for the expected 500 at Airlie would be given to the current 480 box holders that have Airlie, Jubilee Pocket or Shute Harbour addresses.

He said customers would receive a breakdown of changes from Australia Post in their mail next week.

Changes as of December nAll customers will collect their mail from Cannonvale while renovations are underway at Airlie Beach. nAirlie Beach post boxes reduced to 500 by February - box holders to remain will be issued a new number and given stationary and 12 months to adjust to the new address. nJubilee Pocket, Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour businesses/ residents will be given preference for boxes in Airlie. nRemaining customers retain their Airlie Beach Post Office box number but collect their mail from Cannonvale.