Banks set to ditch CBD Union fears job losses as branches lose traffic
tony. THE financial services industry is dealing a blow to Townsville’s CBD with Bank of Queensland set to close one branch and Westpac considering closing its outlet.
It is understood the moves are being driven by low foot traffic in Flinders St.
A Westpac spokeswoman confirmed yesterday its Flinders St branch was among five around the country being con- sidered for closure. She said the bank would consult with staff and customers about the move.
“It is a proposal at the moment,” the spokeswoman said.
She said low foot traffic was a big factor behind the move.
But the Finance Sector Union said banks such as Westpac and ANZ had an “aggressive agenda” to move customers from face- to- face to online services to save money.
The union’s Queensland branch secretary, Wendy Streets, said it was likely West- TWO Townsville mothers are on a mission to stamp out the city’s child obesity problem.
Rebecca Kent and Lauren Hannay have launched a healthy eating kids’ recipe book, called Hungry Kids E- Recipe Book 5+, to help parents get their children eating healthily.
Mrs Kent, a health coach, and A WOMAN from Melbourne’s east has become the sixth person to die as a result of the Bourke St rampage.
The 33- year- old from Blackburn South died in hospital last night.
Three- month- old Zachary Bryant, Thalia Hakin, 10, Matthew Si, Jess Mudie and an unnamed Japanese man were also killed by the car that sped along the city’s Bourke St and its footpaths on January 20. Mrs Hannay, a nutritionist, owners of holistic wellbeing business thefoodbabes. com. au, say their recipe book is filled with simple and nutritious foods that will nourish children and are tastebud friendly.
Latest Queensland Health statistics show 30.7 per cent of Townsville children aged 5- 17 are rated overweight or obese, second only to the Western Queensland Primary
Dimitrious “Jimmy” Gargasoulas, 26, originally from Coober Pedy, has been charged with five counts of murder. Victoria Police say there are “other charges pending”.
The City of Melbourne plans to remove a public floral memorial ( pictured) on Bourke St this morning.
Ten people remain in hospital, with one of those in a critical condition. pac’s Flinders St branch would close and that staff would lose their jobs. “I have seen a million of these consultations and I can’t name one of their decisions that have changed. I have worked for the union for 19 years,” she said.
Ms Streets said Westpac made more than $ 7.4 billion profit last financial year and the union would work with their members to put as much pressure as they could to stop branch closures or maximise opportunities for redeployment.
In a statement, a Bank of Queensland spokesman said they were in the process of writing to customers about closing its Flinders St branch.
“Customer trends across the industry are changing with more and more people choosing different ways, such as mobile device or online banking, to do their day- to- day banking,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately for some branches, this has reduced foot traffic and transaction volumes to a point where the branch is Health Network’s 38.8 per cent.
“As we know, Townsville is topping the state in child obesity so we decided to make it easier for parents to help children improve their waistlines,” Mrs Kent said.
“Our kids’ recipe book is a compilation of all the recipes we cook for our families. Our recipes are simple swaps from unhealthy options to nutritious whole foods and are glu- no longer viable. BOQ will remain well- represented in Townsville with three branches within a 14 kilometre radius.”
Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Troy Popham said it was disappointing to see any business, let alone financial institutions, move away from the CBD although he added he would be surprised to see Westpac not retain a presence in the CBD.
“ANZ, Suncorp, NAB, the Commonwealth, they are all ten and sugar free, like our coconut bread that is the perfect lunch box filler or afternoon snack.”
Mrs Kent and Mrs Hannay, who have six daughters between them, will launch their What to Eat during Pregnancy e- book this month.
To download Hungry Kids E- Recipe Book go to www. thefoodbabes. com. au
Townsville Families: p27 THE cost of crime in Australia has more than doubled in the past five years to $ 47.6 billion.
Despite this, the amount of government spending has increased just 2.2 per cent over the same period, a productivity commission report to be released today found.
It also reveals Queensland has fewer judges relative to its population than any other state or territory in Australia, despite having higher rates of physical assault and face- toface threats of assault than NSW, Victoria and the national average.
It finds the cost of crime to the community rose from $ 23.1 billion in 2011- 12 to $ 47.6 billion in 2015- 16.
This was based on government spending on criminal justice like police and the courts, victim assistance, insurance as well as household precautions.
Over the same period, Aus- still in the CBD,” he said. The council is very keen to try and hold as much opportunity in the city because we have a vision of having 30,000 people in the CBD.
“You don’t want to fracture the location for financial services away from the city.”
Bank of Queensland Flinders St branch franchisee Ashley Scott said he “can‘ t comment”.
Westpac is planning to close other branches at Kincumber, Wyoming and Laurieton in NSW and at Red Cliffs in Victoria.
Business Daily: p28- 29 tralian governments increased their spending on police, criminal and civil courts as well as corrective services from $ 14.79 billion to $ 16.15 billion.
But, the national rate of physical assaults and face- toface threats of assault have been falling since 2011.
“Levels of demand on justice services can be further driven by changes in legislative and policy environments,” the report states.