Australia Post: Mount Helena

About

Our sites range from Post Offices, to mail processing sites and warehouses, to offices and call centres.

Of our total portfolio of owned properties, 73 are classified as heritage properties and are included in the Commonwealth Heritage List. These buildings date from the Colonial era, through post-Federation to post-WWII structures.

All of these buildings have social worth in heritage terms, as they are valued by their local communities for the services they have provided in the past, as well as for their appearance and architectural qualities.

Changing technologies have resulted in changes to the layout and design of our buildings. In the late 1800s the introduction of telegraph offices led to extensions and alterations to many buildings. Similarly, changes in mail handling in the 1900s led to alterations to post offices and construction of new dedicated mail distribution facilities. More recently, we have opened shops in major shopping centres and constructed new large-format retail stores.

As a result of these trends many of our heritage properties are no longer suitable for use for postal services but are let out on commercial terms to external businesses and organisations.

To care for our heritage properties we have developed our Australia Post Heritage Strategy (4.59mb). In 2010, following a comprehensive assessment, the Chairman of the Australian Heritage council congratulated us on our exemplary management of the extensive heritage assets, and stated that Australia Post had established a benchmark in identifying these heritage assets.

In the 5 years to June 2013, we will invest $10 million nationally on our heritage portfolio, to provide specialist painting, maintenance and preservation works. Many of these buildings are adapted for reuse for the benefit of the local community.