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ABC News
Business
By Lee Robinson and Stewart Brash

Australia Post recommences mail delivery to Alice Springs homes after meetings with NT Police

Australia Post confirmed deliveries would recommence following "close consultation" with authorities. (ABC News: Christopher Gillette)

Australia Post has recommenced delivering mail and parcels to hundreds of homes in Alice Springs, almost a fortnight after halting the service due to staff safety concerns. 

Following multiple allegedly violent attacks against a veteran postie, some residents in Sadadeen were notified that their mail would be redirected to the town's post office for collection.

A spokesperson for the government-owned postal service confirmed deliveries would recommence from Monday following "close consultation with local police and relevant authorities".

"We thank our customers for their understanding and appreciate the support of the community and local authorities to ensure the safety of our team members," the spokesperson said.

The ABC understands a federal government minister's office was involved in meetings with NT Police to find a solution for impacted residents.

The incidents that led to Australia Post's extraordinary decision allegedly involved rock-throwing and the use of a knife and occurred over a period of several months.

It comes as NT Police report a significant drop in crime and anti-social behaviour in the central Australian town in the weeks following the implementation of strict new alcohol restrictions.

Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole says Australia Post did not consult with police before halting its delivery service. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

NT Police Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole said the force was now working with Australia Post management to ensure posties could safely carry out deliveries throughout Alice Springs.

"The management of Australia Post made that decision to withdraw services without any consultation with NT Police, without asking us what we were doing in that space," he said.

"After some meetings with our management team and Australia Post, I think we've reassured them that we are actively doing some proactive stuff in that space, and it should be a lot safer for their postal delivery workers."

Assistant Commissioner Dole said there were additional "concentrated efforts" in the Sadadeen area, and police were working to identify those responsible for the alleged attacks.

"My understanding is that there was a child well below the age of criminal responsibility — a very young child — and there was another person involved who we haven't yet identified," he said.

"Nobody should be subjected to assaults coming to work at all, and it's absolutely abhorrent behaviour that shouldn't be tolerated."

Country Liberal Member for Braitling, Josh Burgoyne, said he was glad the situation had been resolved but had ongoing concerns about the safety of workers in the Northern Territory.

"I'm still yet to hear what [government agency] Territory Families are doing in relation to the young person alleged to have assaulted the postie worker," he said.

It's believed one of the alleged attacks in Sadadeen involved a "very young" child. (ABC Alice Springs: Lara Stimpson)

Mr Burgoyne, whose electorate encompasses Sadadeen, said he believed police would now be undertaking additional patrols in the area, and mail would be delivered earlier in the day.

He said a spate of youth offending needed further attention, although the recent drop in crime reported by police was encouraging.

"Unfortunately, one thing that has been left out of many conversations that have been had of late is the young people roaming our streets late at night," he said.

"We're continuing to see cars stolen, businesses and homes broken into, and that, for a lot of people in our community, continues to be a major issue."

In a leaked NT Police document, the force has recommended implementing additional alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs, including further limiting bottle shop opening hours and introducing volume limits for customers.

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