Big bank puts regional branch closures on hold

By Bree Harding

May 2, 2024

Refurbishment: The Deck says it will be doing pop-up burger delivery days and collaborations with its sister venue Downtown during the closure. Photo by Bree Harding

Westpac is putting a freeze on regional branch closures until at least 2027 to strengthen regional banking services, including 21 locations across Victoria.

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“Westpac has been in Australia for over 207 years. We know regional communities play a critical role in Australia’s economy, and we want to make sure we are there to support them,” Westpac chief executive, consumer Jason Yetton said.

“We’ve heard the feedback from customers about the impact of branch closures in the bush and understand they face many challenges such as limited internet connectivity and increased travel times to their nearest branch.”

The bank will invest over $150 million in its branch network in the next two years.

Mr Yetton said the commitment would support more than 2.2 million customers and 1000 employees who lived and worked in 182 regional areas.

“It means we continue to give customers who prefer to do their banking in-branch access to face-to-face service for their banking needs and cash transactions,” he said.

Westpac’s partnership with Australia Post is critical to many regional Australians, with 96 per cent of Westpac customers living within 20km of a Bank@Post.

The partnership provides cash services to 1800 communities in rural and regional areas.

“We’re investing more than $200 million over 10 years in our partnership with Australia Post,” Mr Yetton said.

“This allows customers to perform the majority of cash and cheque transactions at a Bank@Post.”

The Deck closes for 10 weeks

Shepparton restaurant and bar The Deck announced last week on its Facebook page a forced 10-week closure of the popular nightspot.

“To all our dear and local customers, due to council demands and the refurbishment of the Harris Scarfe building we will be closed for a total of 10 exact weeks as ordered,” the post, signed The Deck management and staff, read.

“During this time, the love and happiness will continue to roll out every Wednesday for Parma Night, pop-up burger delivery days and events on weekends in collaboration with our sister venue, Downtown Shepparton.

“We will also be giving The Deck some TLC and renovating the venue over this time.”

Balcony work: Renovations have begun to the Harris Scarfe building in Maude St. Photo by Bree Harding

The building is privately owned.

Greater Shepparton City Council said it issued a building notice for remedial works to be carried out on the balcony at the Maude St, Shepparton location.

“A building permit was subsequently issued by a private building surveyor in October last year for these works to be undertaken by the property managers,” a council spokesperson said.

“Council has been informed that the works are expected to commence this week and will take around 10 weeks to complete.”