'It's painful': Australia Post refuses to deliver large parcels to this suburb
Just minutes from Janni Linahan's home lies a bustling array of amenities, including a McDonald's, Coles, and 7-Eleven convenience store.
Surrounded by new developments and located just 50km south-east of Melbourne's CBD, the semi-rural suburb of Devon Meadows is well and truly growing.
However, due to its size and population, residents are not eligible for large parcel delivery, forcing many to endure a 40-minute drive through traffic to reach their nearest Australia Post pick-up point.
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The Cranbourne Parcel Collection Centre is the closest pick-up location for residents living in Devon Meadows, which is out of the way for many.
"We have lived here about 14 years now, and we've never had parcel delivery here. It's just a pain," Linahan told 9news.com.au.
"You have to go out of your way.
"If there's no traffic and you get a good run on the lights, you're probably looking about 15 to 20 minutes.
"But if there's school traffic and you're driving in peak hour, it's taken me up to 40 minutes before, that's one-way.
"If I want something quickly and I know I'm going to be at work all day and (won't) get to the pickup point, then I have to start thinking, where am I buying things from."
Janni Linahan is one of many residents angry over the lack of access. Nine
Frustrated residents have had enough, with more than a hundred people signing an online petition calling for Australia Post to make changes to its delivery service.
"As residents of Devon Meadows, we are regularly affected by the inconvenience and financial burden caused by Australia Post's refusal to deliver parcels directly to our area," the petition said.
"We pay for postage, yet we are forced to drive out of our way to collect our parcels, which incurs additional costs and time.
"This situation is not only unfair but also unsustainable for many local residents.
"Devon Meadows is a community that deserves the same postal services as other areas.
"The lack of direct parcel delivery impacts our daily lives and adds unnecessary stress."
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Residents living in Devon Meadows have to travel to pick-up large parcels. Jason South
Devon Meadows has a population of 1551 residents, according to the 2021 census.
The suburb is surrounded by Botanic Ridge with 6739 residents and Cranbourne South with 17,400 residents.
9news.com.au understands Australia Post is unable to deliver to the suburb due to its population and the size of its properties, as many have long driveways.
An Australia Post spokesperson said the service was yet to receive the formal petition.
"Australia Post currently delivers letters and small parcels to households in Devon Meadows, with customers able to pick up larger parcels from our parcel collection centre at Cranbourne."
"As with all smaller townships, we carefully monitor deliveries at Devon Meadows and will expand our services if customer demand increases."
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The fast-growing community of Botanic Ridge is minutes from Devon Meadows. Botanic Ridge.
Despite this, Linahan believes the community needs the vital service.
"It's quite busy with new estates up and coming (where) there used to be fields. There are thousands of houses there," she said.
"There's a McDonald's that's 24/7 and is always busy.
"There are about seven different new child childcare centres in the area, it's a really hugely growing area. It's much bigger than it has ever been."
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