By NOEL MURPHY
LIBERAL candidate Sarah Henderson has jeopardised plans to expand Torquay Post Office, according to its owner.
Ken Ely accused her of playing politics with the project.
Ms Henderson issued two statements on the post office expansion weeks ahead of any Surf Coast Shire notification of his planning permit application for the Pearl St building, Mr Ely told the Independent.
He feared that politicising the post office’s need for expansion could make Australia Post seem desperate for the project to go ahead, which could potentially distort tender prices if he decided to proceed.
“She won’t pressure me,” Mr Ely said.
“If I decide it’s not worthwhile investment I’ll walk away from it very quickly.”
Mr Ely questioned how Ms Henderson knew of his planning permit and its particulars weeks before the shire began advertising the application.
“It’s advertised for 14 days and finishes on July 4. She’s way ahead of everyone. The only way she could do that is if she’s seen it ahead.
“It’s ridiculous her jumping and making something political about the damn thing. Why open your mouth so much?
“She’ll have mud on her face if I walk away and do nothing.”
Australia Post confirmed it had been dealing with architects for Mr Ely regarding the proposed expansion.
Ms Henderson issued a media release on 28 April, saying improvements to the post office were on the way.
She cited possible improvements such as an automated parcel locker.
Ms Henderson issued another media release on 31 May 31, citing more space for parcels, another customer service counter and a dedicated parcel hatch.
A shire spokesman said this week that council received the post office application after Ms Henderson’s media statements.
The application had gone to council’s infrastructure department, as standard practice, to review car parking requirements and adjoining owners had been notified of the application in writing, the shire said.
Ms Henderson said any commercial issues concerning the upgrade were a matter for the building’s owner and Australia Post.
“I took on the fight to improve postal services in Torquay because of the level of community concern,’’ she said.
The Independent revealed earlier this year concerns about the post office’s ability to meet demand, with staff diverting parcels for pick-up to Belmont.
