Our seniors are no strangers to the term 'snail mail', but in some parts of Australia, it seems the term has taken on a very literal meaning.

Residents of the remote town of Doomadgee, in rural Queensland, have found themselves waiting an unbelievable five months for their mail to be delivered, despite Australia Post being an essential service. In today's technologically advanced and fast-paced world, one cannot help but wonder how this is still a prevailing issue for a nation like Australia.

The extended delay for locals in the Aboriginal community of Doomadgee, as well as neighbouring towns like Burketown, Gregory, Karumba, and Normanton, has been attributed to the devastating flooding that impacted the Gulf of Carpentaria earlier this year. With roughly 1,500 residents isolated due to flood waters cutting off roads for several months, the situation has been nothing short of a nightmare for these communities.

Located in north-west Queensland, there are about 1500 residents in the town of Doomadgee. Source: ABC News: Brendan Mounter

Local leaders are calling out Australia Post, saying that waiting five months for mail delivery 'is not good enough' and that improvements must be made promptly.

Barry Walden, a Gangalidda man and traditional owner who has lived in Doomadgee for 57 years, spoke on behalf of the frustrated community, stating that 'essential services are completely failing communities like Doomadgee.'

'We should not be forced to live like we're in a third-world country.'

The impacts of these delays are not minor inconveniences, as residents face hardships due to missing essential documents and items. With court and financial documents, bank statements, and car registrations arriving months late, people's financial and legal situations descend into disarray.

Moreover, having limited access to shops other than the local grocery store, residents heavily rely on ordering packages for basic needs and life events. Walden said, 'A lot of kids miss out on celebrating birthdays or Christmas because we can't get the mail delivered.'

Walden urges Australia Post to step up and focus on remote communities' needs, stating, 'Stop honouring the contract and start honouring the people. That's why you're here. You're an essential service.'

The desperate cry for help was taken all the way to the nation's capital, with Doomadgee Shire Council Chief Executive Troy Fraser and other Gulf leaders meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra this April. They requested $75 million worth of upgrades to roads and bridges in their region to ensure communities would never face such extensive isolation again.

'We have to build resilient communities, and a big part of that for us is dramatically improving road access to energy, food, and fuel,' said Fraser.

However, Barry Walden remains sceptical and critical of the government's involvement, stating, ' We're a forgotten community out here, except for when government ministers need a bit of PR [public relations] with an Aboriginal community. They come out here … then they walk away and take their promises with them.'

Key Takeaways

• Residents of a rural Queensland town experienced a five-month delay in receiving their mail posted back in November.
• Community leaders are calling on Australia Post to improve its service to remote communities and provide better essential services.
• Locals are missing out on important documents and basic items due to the long delays in mail delivery.
• Gulf leaders have called for $75 million worth of upgrades to roads and bridges in their region to ensure communities are not isolated for such an extended period.

In response to the raised concerns, Australia Post provided a statement to the ABC, mentioning that they are working with delivery contractors to 'resume road delivery for larger parcels to the community as soon as it was safe to do so.'

Residents in rural communities, of which there are 7 million, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness (AIHW), face health issues as well. Research shows they often have poorer health outcomes than those living in Major cities due to various geographic and socio-economic factors. For example, rural and remote Australians are more likely to be hospitalised and face higher death and injury rates.

At the Seniors Discount Club, we understand the importance of timely mail delivery, especially when it comes to essential services and staying connected with loved ones. We hope that Australia Post will take these concerns seriously and improve their delivery services for those in remote communities throughout the country. In the meantime, our thoughts go out to the residents affected by these lengthy delays, and we encourage all our members to remain vocal about such issues to ensure that they are addressed promptly.

 

[Pink lion]

That IS TERRIBLE having this occur inside our nation.

They could AIR DROP the mail with supplies if there's no access.

So many instances of miss management in Australia it's a wonder that anything functions.

There are over 120,000 homeless Australians and evidently 600,00 new immigrants are on the way here... that's pretty clever... ha ha ha ... we have to laugh, what else can we do.

We voted for them, and the other mobs to choose from are no better, where is the logical thinking that our country used to be world famous for?

Our government inaction, really is only three words instead of four words, hey.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

'We should not be forced to live like we're in a third-world country.'", the man said.
NEWS FLASH! Doomadgee, like most of the Gulf Coast, IS third-world country. It doesn't matter who the carrier of the mail, or parcels, or tucker is; when the Gulf Country goes into an old-man flood, NOTHING will get through for months. Forget about planes; no unflooded landing strip; even a helicopter will be flat-out getting there, due to the need to refuel before returning to Mt Isa, Cairns or other centre of 'civilisation', presumably not also in flood. Forget about coming in by sea, too; not unless the Army still has surplus amphibious landing-craft capability. Blaming Australia Post in this instance is simply not fair.

 

[Pink lion]

Air drop. reusable parachute. include medicines and food stores. it's done WORLDWIDE for people stuck in isolated communities and is a common practice. just saying

 

[Nana Zorak]

Having lived in Cairns during the 60s & early 70s we, up there then were considered to be at the end of the world. It seems now that the people who live even further north are suffering the end-of-the-world syndrome the same as we did all those years ago. If the government want to bring in 600.000 immigrants maybe they should place them outback so they can help the outback to become more accessible & developed. Not just dump them where they will expect to have all the benefits of Government handouts & modern living without working for it as we had to do when we first arrived. Give them something to aim for while they improve the lives of lives out there.

 

[Ezzy]

Definitely unacceptable. I too was of the opinion an airdrop could be done. This is nothing new, done in war times & other situations since. Forget about the Armed Forces to get necessary mail etc through. What about some sort of water craft? Nothing is impossible in today's world.

l am sorry to hear how people in this community have been treated.

Some members here are saying, 'don't blame Australia Post'. Who should we blame then, the Federal Government for not acting on this problem before now. If WE BLAME THE FEDERAL GOVT. FOR SITTING ON THEIR HANDS, WE MOST DEFINITELY CAN BLAME AUST. POST AS A FED. GOVT. ENTITY, CAN'T WE???

This is a shameful show of support for those unfortunate folk in this community!!! I hope people remember the shabby treatment given to these people when a Federal & State election is held!