Centre aims for speedier parcels

A NEW parcel delivery centre has opened in Delacombe to cater to ongoing population growth across the city, and particularly in Ballarat’s west.

Australia Post has established the large indoor facility and the company is aiming to improve the speed at which packages go from sender to receiver, with about 8000 parcels processed a day.

By early-2024, the centre is expected to operate with automated parcel sorting technology, which will process 3000 more packages within 60 minutes.

Australia Post executive general manager network operations Rod Barnes said the new facility is a commitment to improved service, and an investment in the Ballarat community.

“As one of Victoria’s biggest regional cities, we’ve seen parcel delivery volumes increase by 80 percent over the past three years, with data indicating that four in five Ballarat households are now shopping online,” he said.

“We expect this trend to continue, as the needs of local and other eCommerce businesses grow. Our new centre will enable faster parcel processing and turnaround times, getting deliveries to customers’ doors sooner.”

The parcel delivery centre replaces the temporary facilities at Bakery Hill and Wendouree, and will be a workplace for about 160 Australia Post employees.

“Australia Post and its hardworking staff have been at the heart of the Ballarat community since our first post office opened in a tent in Golden Point way back in 1851,” Minister for Infrastructure, and Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said.

“This investment will give local Ballarat workers the facilities they deserve, as well as helping ensure our parcels and letters arrive safely and on time.”