A copy of plans drawn up two years ago to allow entry and exit from the rear of the building on the corner of Camp and Ford streets were publicly revealed for the first time at an information session conducted by Australia Post on Wednesday following its decision to relocate to a nearby shop in Camp Street.

The move, which would have shut access from the front of the building, had the approval of Indigo Shire and the building’s owner, according to Cr Bernard Gaffney.

Australia Post state manager Roger Revere confirmed he had seen the plans, but confirmed a lift outside the Camp Street entrance was its preferred option.

“From a commercial perspective of making the shop work and meeting our legal requirements we couldn’t make (the rear access option) work,” he said.

“We needed to provide a solution to the disability and it’s not a money saving venture, absolutely not.

“It is really about providing the accessibility to the community.

“We didn’t expect to come here and everything to be positive.”

Beechworth resident Sandra Williams voiced her disapproval to Australia Post’s decision which was revealed late last week.

“An acceptable answer to that really important issue of access was provided,” she said.

“The thing with this town is it is a death by a thousand cuts and one thing starts and then another little thing creeps in.

“People come for an atmosphere, for an ambience and little, by little, it is chipped away.”

Cr Gaffney said he was certain the rear entry and exit option could have enabled Australia Post to stay in its present building.

He plans to raise the matter at next week’s council meeting even though the mail service is committed to relocating and operating from the new site by the end of the year.

“It would have worked. It was presented to them two years ago, but they rejected it,” he said.

“Australia Post said it was the lift or nothing. The other option would have been acceptable to the community, council and the owner.

“The only stakeholder who rejected it was Australia Post.”