Postal delivery expanded in Alice Springs town camps

Regular postal services to a further four Alice Springs town camps have begun, supported under the Australian and Northern Territory Governments’ $150 million Alice Springs Transformation Plan.

The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton welcomed the delivery of mail to these town camps.

Ms Macklin said the new mail service was an important step in the ongoing transformation of the town camps.

“The new service will make a real difference to people’s lives and provides them with better connections to businesses, services providers and the broader community,” Ms Macklin said.

“This initiative is part of our work to ensure residents of the town camps have access to services, just like any other household in Alice Springs.

“The houses have been numbered and letter boxes installed, and along with the new street signs, there is a renewed sense of pride in this community.”

Mt Nancy will receive door to door mail delivery as it is inside Australia Post’s regular catchment area.

Palmers, which is also inside Australia Post’s regular catchment area, will receive delivery to clustered letter boxes in line with the community’s wishes.

Karnte and Little Sisters will have roadside delivery to clustered letter boxes as they are outside Australia Post’s catchment area.

Minister for Indigenous Health and Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, said the people living in Alice Springs’ Town Camps will benefit from the roll out of the new services.

“As part of the Transformation Plan, street signage and postal services are also being progressively rolled out to other town camps.”

“Locals will see the benefits of regular mail services, better connecting them with their families and loved ones,” Mr Snowdon said.

Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton said the work happening in the town camps was already having a positive impact.

“Eighty-six new houses have now been built across the town camps, and all 196 rebuilds and refurbishments have been completed, providing people with better housing,” Mr Hampton said.

“Since it began, the construction program has also provided employment for 92 Indigenous people.”

Australia Post Executive General Manager Mail Services, Steve Ousley said that Australia Post is pleased to begin delivering mail to four more town camps.

“We understand how important it is for residents to stay connected and communicate with family and friends and the important role mail delivery plays in this,” Mr Ousley said.

“The Alice Springs Transformation Plan is working to have all appropriate infrastructure in place in the remaining 13 town camps by September, with Australia Post commencing postal delivery when this is complete.”

The Minister for Indigenous Health and Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon said the Australian and Northern Territory Governments would continue to work together with the Alice Springs community to improve the lives of residents and visitors to the town camps.