Organisations and community representatives have praised the transition of licensing services between the Collie Courthouse and Australia Post.
An Australia Post spokesperson told the Mail the Collie Post shop would receive more upgrades to improve customer service.
“From the end of this month, the Collie post office will receive an IT upgrade which will enable consumers to access more services including passports, land title checks and working with children checks,” they said.
Member for Collie-Preston Mick Murray MLA said it was a requirement for licensing services to be relocated from the courthouse.
“The change to licensing services occurred after concerns were raised regarding the confidentiality of certain applications being made at the courthouse that were of a highly private and sensitive nature,” he said.
“People should not have to be concerned that when attending the courthouse that word may get out in the community because someone may be paying their licence or renewing a rego.”
Mr Murray said it was vital to keep the services in Collie and not force people to travel outside of the district.
“While transferring the service to Australia Post may not have been convenient for everyone it delivered on our commitment to keep licensing services local otherwise the service may have been lost to Bunbury,” he said.
Department of Transport Driver and Vehicle Services A/General Manager Steve Mitchinson said Australia Post successfully applied to take over the services under DOT.
“When the Department of the Attorney General’s service arrangement was nearing completion, the Department of Transport issued a Request for Tender for the provision of driver and vehicle licensing services in Collie,” he said.
“The staff conducting these services are employed by Australia Post and receive comprehensive training from DOT’s licensing training team and ongoing support from DOT’s Bunbury regional office.
“DOT extends its thanks to the Department of the Attorney General for its support in providing professional and friendly licensing services to Collie.”
Since the transition, the Collie Courthouse has moved operations to its original trading hours – 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.
Do you have something to say about the changes? Email thomas.munday@fairfaxmedia.com.au
