CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Ms McBRIDE (Dobell—Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health) (16:14): In September Australia Post informed me of their decision to close the Tuggerah business hub, effective from Wednesday 22 October at 5 pm. The Australia Post business hub at Tuggerah offers a vital service for businesses across the coast, opening extended hours and receiving late parcel drop-offs.
I was disappointed when Australia Post suggested customers could access nearby retail post offices, which don't offer comparable drop-off services and are not open extended hours. In fact, if the hub was to close, the nearest business hub would be in Frenchs Forest, more than 80 kilometres away. Following Australia Post's decision, I met with local businesses, Australia Post staff, union representatives and the communications minister.
Our campaign to stop the closure reached more than 50,000 people and was backed in by a community petition opposing the closure. After my public call for a meeting on Friday 17 October, the CEO of Australia Post met with me. I presented the views of our community, including those from locals and businesses.
On Monday 20 October, three days before the scheduled closure, Australia Post called to inform me that they would keep the Tuggerah business hub open for a further six months while they monitor customer numbers. This is a pleasing outcome, and I would like to extend my thanks to the community and small businesses who joined me in calling for the business hub to remain open—but our work is not done.
I encourage locals and businesses on the coast to utilise the business hub to demonstrate to Australia Post the value of this service to our community. Recently I joined Father Ranson and my mother, Barbie, for the reopening and blessing of the Warnervale Wellness Centre following an extensive renovation. The centre means a lot to me and my family, as it provided support and care to my late father, Grant, while he was living with younger onset dementia.
I want to thank centre coordinator Michelle, Catholic Care, and all the staff for the deep care you showed not just my father but all the people who attend Warnervale Wellness Centre and their loved ones. The Central Coast Community Women's Health Centre, affectionately known by locals as Rose Cottage, has celebrated its 30th birthday. For 30 years Rose Cottage has provided a range of vital health services for women, including pregnancy planning, breast screening, cervical screening, menopause and perimenopause support, counselling and much more.
The CEO, Sara Foster, said: Despite the many obstacles the centre has faced, Rose Cottage has endured and flourished, becoming a cherished part of the social fabric of the Central Coast. Congratulations to all of the staff and the many dedicated volunteers at Rose Cottage for their ongoing work to make sure women on the Central Coast have safe, accessible and affordable care.