Postie leaves ‘warning messages’ on letters
An Australian Post worker has sparked a debate online after leaving a series of “warning messages” on letters to a Melbourne homeowner.
“Please clean the area in front of your letterbox,” the first letter read to homeowner Johnson Ong, who posted the photos to the Australia Post Complaints Facebook group.
A second letter read: “You need to clean the area in front of the letterbox. Not a small part. I have to ride through. There are rocks. All the front yard.”
A third envelope came with an ultimatum: “Good morning. I won’t be delivering anymore if front of yard is not clear 1m in front and 1m side of letterbox. Thank you.”
“Please last notice. Clean the area in front of letterbox,” a final letter said.
Mr Ong wrote on Facebook that his garden had not changed in the past 12 years and the “warning messages” had only started within the past month.
He agreed safety was “definitely very important”, adding: “Riding over nature strips in wet weather is not safe as it could be slippery, mud can get into his wheels, spreading to neighbours’ driveways. Encouraging all riders or drivers to use [the] driveway is the safest for themselves and others.”
Mr Ong contacted Australia Post, but the representatives sided with the postie.
“Looking at the photo of your mailbox, the area around it is not clear,” a customer service representative wrote.
“I apologise if you think the driver is threatening you, however they are entitled to ride across nature strips. This is to ensure safe, accurate and fast deliveries.”
“I would recommend cleaning the front area and removing the shrubs that are obstructing the mailbox,” the rep advised.
An Australia Post spokesman said: “We have apologised to the customer and are working with them to improve access to their letterbox. We’re glad that in this case we have been able to reach a satisfactory outcome.
“Posties are allowed to ride on the nature strip while delivering mail and for their own safety, require easy and safe access to letterboxes. We encourage them to report any access hazards to their manager who then works with the customer to fix the issue.”
Social media users were split on the issue, with many defending the postie’s messages and others believing the homeowner is in the right.
“You want your mail delivered, make sure it is a safe place for the postie,” wrote one person. “After all it is his workplace and he deserves safety!”
Another user described the garden as “atrocious” but others were quick to decry the criticism.
“It’s hardly atrocious, it’s a bit of fallen leaves,” another replied. “My kid could ride his tricycle safely over that, is your postie that frail?”
One said, “If he can’t find the letterbox he should hand in his licence or go to Specsavers.”
However, one user pointed out that “you can be sued if the postie gets injured and you didn’t do anything to resolve the issue”. “At least the postie gave you some chance to fix it,” they wrote.