Central Coast Labor MPs stand firm that Council post office payments should be reinstated.

28 October 2026

 

SINCE 29 September, ratepayers have been unable to pay their rates and water accounts at Post Offices following a decision by the Liberal and Team Central Coast Councillors at Council’s meeting on 22 September.

 

This is notwithstanding attempts by Labor and Independent Councillors to have the decision rescinded and for the Service to be reinstated.

 

Labor MP offices have been inundated with residents and ratepayers who have been negatively affected. An initial petition campaign run by local MP’s received well over 3,000 signatures from those whose voices should really have mattered. Sadly, the outcome proved otherwise.

 

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris said: “The Liberal and Team Central Coast block of councillors has deprived ratepayers of a key service since 29 September and we’re calling on the new mayor to restore common sense and revisit this issue.

 

“Many in our Coast community are dismayed at losing the convenience of their local post office as the place to pay their rates and water bills.

 

“We urge Council to revisit this issue and listen and act on what the ratepayers are telling them, especially the more than 3,000 who put their name to the petition.”

 

David Mehan,Member for The Entrance, said the decision made by Liberal and Team Central Coast Councillors was a bad one and has let the community down.

 

“The newly appointed Mayor now has the opportunity to revisit the service cut and acknowledge that the decision was not in the best interests of the community," Mr Mehan said.

 

“Our community deserves better from all of us. It’s high time that Council sees this decision for what it really is and reverses it.”

 

Correspondence sent to Mr McNamara dated 26 October from Frank Donaldson illustrates the human impact of the so called “budget saving measure” and the real-life impacts this has had on the community.

 

Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said that the Central Coast Council have decided to cease rate payments at post offices, locals are seeing firsthand the impacts the Liberals cuts are having on their lives.

 

"After going door-to-door with a petition to stop this, I am now hearing from residents who are furious at the way they have been treated by their Council and the challenges this is creating in paying essential bills, She said.

 

“It’s time the Council listened to the community and reversed this callous decision.”

 

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch commented that so many in our community rely upon our post offices to be able to settle their bills and pay with cash. "Council’s decision leaves so many ratepayers stranded," Ms Tesch said.

 

“We’re asking the new Mayor McNamara to rethink Council’s position, so Coasties have a fair chance to pay their bills in the way that works best for them.”

 

In a letter to the Grapevine, Mr Donaldson said that in frustration with Council's attitude he drove up to the library at Lakehaven Shopping centre to pay his rates only to find it closed. "One sign said, Open for Rates, etc., on Wednesday and Thursday. ANOTHER SIGN SAID, CLOSED. No other indication was displayed for paying our rates, or even a kiosk set up. Typical Council, couldn't give a stuff attitude."

 

It was the last day for rate payments to be made Mr Donaldson told the Grapevine.

 

Mr Donaldson, at great inconvenience, finally made his way to the Council building Wyong - frustrated and angry at the whole balls-up.

 

When he tried to pay his rates, which he has always done previously by tendering cash, "to add insult to injury I was told this Council doesn't accept cash."

 

It was lucky for Mr Donalson that he had a credit card with him.

 

"If ever an organisation needs a shakeup," he said, "it's Central Coast Council."

 

Although some councils won't accept cash at their premises, ratepayers are still afforded the convenience of paying council rates in cash through Post Billpay at any Australia Post outlet - except when it comes to the inconsiderate, scrooge-like mentality of Central Coast Council. Acts of pure bastardry to their ratepayers and voters seem to be their current playbook, just to save a few meagre dollars - the Trumpian disease has spread to the Central Coast.

 

Ratepayers of the Central Coast should think hard about this type of attitude, which seems to prevail, when the next council elections come around.

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