After the 2022 floods took out the Lismore CBD Post Office with many losing their mail and parcels before a temporary Post Office opened on Dawson Street near the Workers Club.

Recently, the Post Office reopened its usual location at Shop 9/21-27 Conway St, Lismore CBD so we wanted to learn about the rebuild, what will occur in the case of future flooding, along with what measures are still available to those still affected by the February 28 2022 natural disaster.

An Australia Post Spokesperson told the Lismore App "The General Post Office is an important part of the community and it’s great to be up and running again."

"Like many businesses here in Lismore, we’ve needed to refit or rebuild. In doing so we’ve taken the opportunity to introduce a few improvements such as better customer signage and better energy efficiency. The new fit out also makes it far easier for people who use a wheelchair or mobility aid to move through the post office and to access writing desks and displays."

The wider spaces are designed to provide ample room to manoeuvre and lower display shelving supports community members who use these aides.

Manager and owner of the branch Glynn said that he is very happy to be the second of all Australia Post Offices with the new fit out, which also includes an increase in product offerings for the Lismore Community. Glynn also confirmed that there were ample Post Office boxes available and parcel lockers for ease of pick-up.

In regard to future flood events and safeguarding peoples mail, the Australia Post spokesperson said "Our responsibility to the community is something we take very seriously, and planning for floods – or any type of natural disaster – needs to take into account all of the logistics which go into the mail delivery network. In the event of a major flood warning we would look at predicted flood levels and act accordingly: re-routing delivery or ensuring mail is relocated from street posting boxes to the Lismore Delivery Centre."

There is a complex planning system that Glynn says "has been in place historically, and is comprehensive in its coverage of all mail, but does require accurate and early warning information, to be effective." As we all are aware, the warnings and inaccurate information was something that featured heavily in the Flood Inquiry findings.

Regarding the special provisions in place to support those impacted by natural disaster, the Lismore App was told "Nationwide, Australia Post offers up to 12 months free mail redirection for eligible households and businesses impacted by natural disasters. In Lismore, many people impacted by the 2022 floods have taken advantage of this service."

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the floods and needs their mail redirected, they can go to a local Post Office branch and request this service.