Shire of Carnamah urges community to send in submissions to Federal inquiry into regional bank closures

A Mid West shire has accused Westpac of not bothering to examine the social impacts before it shut the town’s only branch. In a submission to the Federal inquiry into regional bank closures, the Shire of Carnamah has urged their community members to make their own individual submissions so the town’s collective voice was heard. Westpac closed its Carnamah branch on February 24, which was the only bank within 120km, leaving residents without means of face-to-face banking. The branch was also the lifeline for neighbouring towns Three Springs, Morawa and Perenjori which saw their banks permanently close in 2021. The rationale provided by Westpac indicated 84 customers completed 161 transactions monthly. This figure was down 18 percent since 2020. The banking giant added 96 per cent of these transactions were able to be performed using the bank@post service at the local Australia Post. In the submission, the Shire said those without access to a reliable vehicle would need to take a bus on a Tuesday or Thursday from Carnamah to Moora, and complete a two-night stay until the next bus back to Carnamah. Shire president Merle Isbister said Westpac ignored council and community’s request to maintain the bank and to carry out a social impact assessment. “The Senate committee’s investigation is most welcome because it can address why banks such as Westpac refuse to consult with communities before closing branches or even give clear reasons for the closure.,” Cr Isbister said. “Westpac refused to carry out an assessment that would have identified the impact the closure has on the community. Just one example can be seen where those community members that need to attend the closest bank some 120km away cannot practically do so by public transport. “Had Westpac undertaken a social impact assessment as requested, they would have identified this fact.” Cr Isbister noted that unfortunately for Carnamah and many other communities around Australia, the Senate inquiry and its findings would come too late. Submissions are open until April 28.