Alarm over bank branch closure step

THERE are concerns Westpac customers living on the East Coast will need to travel farther to access banking services, as the Westpac Sorell branch prepares to shut its doors.

Federal Labor MP Brian Mitchell said the closure of the branch on October 15 was a blow to the local community and the East Coast.

“There will be no Westpac anywhere on the East Coast, the closest one is in Rosny, that’s a 20-minute drive from Sorell,” Mr Mitchell said.

He said as the population of Sorell continues to grow, there’s a greater need for services. “The amount of growth in Sorell is extraordinary,” he said.

“To have a big bank abandoning a fast-growing regional hub like Sorell makes no sense.

“If a bank can’t figure out how to turn a profit in a fastgrowing region like Sorell, what hope do other towns across regional have of keeping

The impending closure of the Westpac Sorell branch comes after the sudden closure of a Commonwealth Bank branch at St Marys, along with the shutting of a Kingston Bendigo Bank branch last month.

Operating hours have also been cut back at Commonwealth Bank branches in Deloraine, Longford and St Helens.

“In recent years the ANZ and NAB have also cut their networks,” Mr Mitchell said.

“This closure shows that the big banks are determined to close their regional branch networks, replacing them with online services and limited Australia Post banking.

“Is this the future of banking in Tasmania?”

Tasmania their branches?”

He said it wasn’t good enough for small businesses to rely on the post office for face-to-face banking.

“The businesses in St Marys, they can’t do their business with Australia Post, so they have to travel.”

Mr Mitchell urged affected customers to move their business to other banks.

“What we need to get back to is the idea of humancentred service where people can get the information in person,” he said.

A Westpac spokesperson said there was declining foot traffic at bank branches.

“When we do close a branch, it is not a decision we take lightly,” they said.

“We take into consideration customer usage, location, and proximity to other banking services.

“Westpac will continue to support Sorell customers via our Bank@Post option with Australia Post, which is located just 380m from the current branch.”