Launceston's historic post office building will again be Australia Post's city home 18 years after it was put up for sale.
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In a win for persistent community negotiation, Australia Post will announce today that it will move all its operations back to the original Launceston site on the corner of Cameron and St John streets.
Australia Post spokeswoman Melanie Ward is announcing today that the business will spend more than $500,000 restoring the main postal chamber to offer a full range of postal services.
Work will start in October to give the community access to a fully serviced post office in the one location, Ms Ward said.
A jubilant former MLC Don Wing said the move was right for the city.
"The post office building is a landmark and a focal point of the community - it's a good location because everyone knows where the post office is," Mr Wing said.
Mr Wing and Launceston architect Lionel Morrell were part of the original Keep Our Post Office committee set up in November 1993, after a public meeting of more than 100 people opposed to the sale of the building.
The sale was part of Australia Post's plan then to become a stronger retail presence closer to the central business district.
It operated from rented premises in the old Launceston Hotel building before moving to 111 St John Street.
Mr Morrell said that the 1993 public meeting had been called after an advertisement for the sale by tender of the post office building.
Australia Post has maintained a small business centre and post boxes at its original site since its move.
A planned renovation of the old postal chamber before the move back will include five new counters and setting up a 24-hour, seven days a week parcel lockers service.
Mr Wing commended Australia Post for listening to the community.
"I know that the Northern community will be relieved and delighted by this announcement," he said.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said that the council had lobbied for some time to have postal services returned to "this grand building" opened in 1890.
The other members of the original Keep Our Post Office committee included Alex Petrovsky, Ken Partridge, former deputy prime minister Lance Barnard who was then a Launceston alderman, David Sice, Margot Smart, Ray Bailey, Patricia Sice, Audrey Partridge, Byron Dilworth, Tony King, Ian Routley, Helen Polley, Lalla Smethurst, Silvia Smith, Bill Tann, Peter Parsons and Mollie Campbell-Smith.
Australia Post expects to be back in its original quarters and open for business by the end of the year.