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Man receives 'warning' messages from his postie about his yard - but who's in the right?

An Australia Post driver has left a Melbourne resident confused after he wrote a series of “warning messages” on his mail.

Johnson Ong shared photos of the handwritten notes to Facebook on Tuesday showing the driver asking him repeatedly to clean the area in front of his home.

“You need to clean the area in front of the letterbox. Not a small part. I have to ride through. There are rocks. All the front yard,” one of the messages read.

Another said: “Good morning. I won’t be delivering anymore if front of yard is not clear 1m in front and 1m side of letterbox. Thank you.”

<span>A postie has left a Melbourne resident confused after he wrote a series of “warning messages.” Photo: </span>Facebook/ Johnson Ong
A postie has left a Melbourne resident confused after he wrote a series of “warning messages.” Photo: Facebook/ Johnson Ong
The Australia Post driver said Mr Ong had to clean the area in front of his letterbox. Photo: Facebook/ Johnson Ong
The Australia Post driver said Mr Ong had to clean the area in front of his letterbox. Photo: Facebook/ Johnson Ong

Mr Ong shared a photo of his nature strip to the Facebook group ‘Australia Post Complaints,’ claiming it had looked the exact same for the past 12 years.

He said the “warnings” had only started in the past month.

However, he did stress that “safety was important” and encouraged all riders to use the driveway, especially in wet weather.

The Melbourne residents also shared screenshots of his communication with Australia Post, where a customer representative apologised for the messages, but explained the postie is entitled to ride across the nature strip for “safe, fast and accurate deliveries.”

Comments on Mr Ong’s social media post were divided, with some agreeing the driver needed clear access and others saying the postie could “ride up the driveway instead”.

The resident shared photos of the messages he received to social media. Photo: Facebook/ Johnson Ong
The resident shared photos of the messages he received to social media. Photo: Facebook/ Johnson Ong

In a statement to Yahoo7, an Australia Post spokesperson said they have “apologised to the customer and are working with them to improve access to their letterbox”.

“We’re glad that in this case we have been able to reach a satisfactory outcome,” the statement read.

“Posties are allowed to ride on the nature strip while delivering mail and for their own safety, require easy and safe access to letterboxes.

“We encourage them to report any access hazards to their manager who then works with the customer to fix the issue.”

According to the Australia Post website, the ideal letterbox should be clearly in view and positioned on the boundary of the property or on the fence next to the driveway.

<span>A customer representative apologised for the messages, but explained the postie is entitled to ride across the nature strip. Photo:</span> Facebook/ Johnson Ong
A customer representative apologised for the messages, but explained the postie is entitled to ride across the nature strip. Photo: Facebook/ Johnson Ong