Cookernup hopes its number’s up

For most citizens within Australia a postcode is little more than a four-digit sequence used to categorise the area they live in.

But for 300 Cookernup residents, a postcode represents an identity they’ve been without for 45 years.

Since losing the 6219 postcode in 1974, Cookernup has been lumped in with five communities in the Harvey area under the 6220 postcode. Last Friday Cookernup residents gave their feedback at Customer Connect sessions hosted by Australia Post.

A sense of identity, concern over fire safety and worry about higher insurance premiums are behind a renewed push by Cookernup residents to get their postcode back.

Australia Post general manager for eCommerce delivery Rod Barnes said it was important the company had feedback from the community in relation to this issue and see what could be done.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback that all relates back to the people of Cookernup wanting an identity,” Mr Barnes said.

“Most of the time we’re dealing with towns wanting their own postcode, but with Cookernup the focus has been on getting theirs back.

“The key thing for us is that we can help support Cookernup as much as possible.”

Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke supports the push. “This issue was brought to my attention back in 2017 and I could see how strongly the residents felt towards it and thought something needs to be done,” Mrs Clarke said.

“To resolve this issue would be incredibly important to the sense of spirit in the Cookernup area.”

After the 2016 Waroona-Yarloop Bushfires, Cookernup resident Jac Taylor started a petition to reinstate the town’s postcode.

“We had big issues during the fire,” Ms Taylor said.

“While there was no connection between postcodes and emergency warnings, the fire began people thinking this is a serious issue.

“Cookernup is not looking to be famous, it is fighting together to not be forgotten. If we get our postcode back I’d be quite happy to run out and have it tattooed on my arm somewhere,” she said.