The quiet town of Bute, an easy hour’s drive south of Port Pirie is a peaceful spot to stop on the way to Adelaide or the Copper Coast and it boasts a very successful Rural Transaction Centre (RTC) that has achieved remarkable growth in the past decade, handling up to 1000 transactions a month and delivering an income of $75,000 a year for Council.
The Bute LPO has been providing vital community services to the township of Bute and surrounding areas since 2003, when Barunga West Council entered into a licensed agreement with Australia Post.
The RTC opened in 2003 with the aim of re-establishing services and introducing new ones that would otherwise not operate in a small town like Bute.
The Bute LPO is the only banking service in town and has become a critical community service hub that not only offers post services but also accommodates a small library, and a physical space for social interaction.
The post office has played an essential role, handling a peak of transactions during COVID-19.
Barunga West Council CEO Ms Maree Wauchope said the Bute LPO represented valuable social infrastructure that provided not only economic value for the region but also important social value for the residents.
“Council has elected and has assumed the responsibility of this important community service since 2003. We are committed to providing the best possible services to our community,” Ms Wauchope said.
The income from the LPO covers salaries and other operational expenses of the facility.
