The topic dominated discussion at the recent Bonny Hill Progress Association Annual General Meeting. According to President, Roger Barlow, the issue has caused a fair bit of anxiety.

Peter O’Donohue has been the Australia Post Licensee since 2006. Signs on the wall at his Jungarra Crescent premises state Westpac has given notice to vacate the premises by April 1, 2011. Another sign points out that as the service has nowhere else to trade, the Post Office will be forced to close permanently.

❏ Do you use the post office? Have a say in our readers' poll

Important services will be lost if Mr O’Donohue is forced to close the doors. An Australia Post spokesman has confirmed Australia Post is committed to providing ongoing postal services to the Bonny Hills area.

“It is disappointing the licensee is facing eviction from their current premises, which is beyond our control,” he said.

“We will work with the licensee to ensure the community is kept up to date with any changes which may occur to current postal arrangements.”

The short notice has fuelled uncertainty and concern from those who rely on the service. Some post office box holders contacted on Friday for comment were completely unaware of the situation.

The decision to shutdown postal outlets in Sydney created headlines earlier this year. Australia Post was criticised for announcing attempting to close suburban branches that they were no longer “commercially viable”.

In the case of Bonny Hills, Australia Post said viability is not the issue. The shopping complex in Jungarra Crescent was owned by GR8M Group and in 2007 a development application was lodged with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to redevelop the centre.

The plan was to demolish the current building and replace it with a 12-shop neighbourhood centre, which would include a medical centre, IGA supermarket, chemist, post office and health food shop, an estimated $5 million investment. During the process developers arranged for the post office to stay on the premises or in a relocatable building during demolition and construction, ensuring the service remained operational. Other tenants, a beautician and hairdressing salon, chose to move out of the building.

A spokesman from the development group said they are still pushing for a sale of the building to ensure its future development.

He said the global financial crisis prompted banks to be more conservative in their lending and Westpac had decided to pull funding for the development.

"We are working towards a sale which we think is in the best interest of the community," the spokesman said.

"I would hope the bank would look to keep the post office lease running. As owners we would like to see the post office stay."

Whether postal services can be reinstated elsewhere in Bonny Hills is unclear. What is clear from local people is the need for the full range of post office facilities to remain in Bonny Hills. The services are well-liked and well-patronised. Residents and business people alike said they value the full range of services Mr O’Donohue provides. They are also easy to access.

Lyn and Bob Smith have lived at Bonny Hills for many years. Mrs Smith says she would be very disappointed if the post office closed.

“I pay all my bills there,” she said.

“It’s just so convenient for everyone, particularly the older people who can just walk there.”

Community groups like the Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Club and the Black Tie & Barefoot Ball organisers have post office boxes at the Bonny Hills outlet. Losing access to the facility would be inconvenient and potentially costly for them too, committee members said. Efforts are being made to find a resolution to the problem. Bonny Hills Progress Association representatives have approached Westpac to find out why the bank would want the property to be vacated.

“Surely a secure tenant in place would be to everyone’s advantage,” said President Roger Barlow.

A spokesman from Westpac said the lease arrangement with Australia Post was an arrangement with the owners, not the bank. The spokesperson said any notices to vacate had gone through proper legal procedure.