A new Community Postal Agency is now open at Shoalhaven Heads.

The new service opened on Monday January 12 and will operate out of the Shoalhaven Heads Pharmacy, following the closure of the village Post Office late last year.

Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said, after being contacted by concerned Shoalhaven Heads residents about the closure, she immediately began advocating for a Community Postal Agency.

“I know how important the local post office has been for the Shoalhaven Heads  community for many years, which is why I took up the fight to ensure a service was returned as soon as possible,” she said.

“I supported the community petition and made representation to the Minister for Communications Anika Wells to have a postal service re-instated.”

The new Community Postal Agency is located within the Shoalhaven Heads Pharmacy and will operate Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 12.30pm for the delivery and collection of parcels and the sale of stamps.

The outlet will offer a wide range of postal services, these include basic postage stamps, concession stamps, prepaid envelopes, and parcel/express post satchels.

“A new Australia Post post box will also be installed outside the shopping centre, which will save people driving to Bomaderry to mail their letters,” Mrs Phillips said.

“A huge thanks to Shoalhaven Heads residents, along with James Zhai and the generous team at the Shoalhaven Heads Pharmacy for stepping up to get the new postal agency up and running.”

As it has changed from a Licensed Post Office (LPO) to a Community Postal Agency (CPA), the new Shoalhaven Heads CPA will not be offering banking, bill payment, or any identity services.

Photo: Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips with pharmacist James Zhai and Australia Post Illawarra field engagement lead Jenny Walsh outside the Shoalhaven Heads Pharmacy which now houses the Community Postal Agency.