Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM, has commended Westpac Bank for its opening of a new Regional Service Centre in Moree, north-west NSW.
Mayor Firman says the banking giant is displaying what appears to be a vastly improved attitude towards servicing country NSW communities.
“Our Rural, remote and regional communities in NSW keep getting hit with bad news, like the recent Bendigo Bank agency closures. That one of the ‘Big Four’ is bucking the trend and re-investing in our non-metro economies is to be applauded,” Mayor Firman said.
Westpac officially opened its new Moree Regional Service Centre at 84 Balo Street last week. The opening of the centre comes more than two years after Westpac closed its Moree branch, one of 2,100 bank closures nationwide between 2017 and 2023.
Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor, Susannah Pearse said she was delighted with the about-face from Westpac, describing the new Service Centre as a show of faith in both Moree Plains and regional Australia in general.
“Council is so pleased and excited to see Westpac reopen doors to the general public here in Moree,” Mayor Pearse said.
“Westpac have recognised the vital role regional and rural areas play in the ongoing growth of Australia and Council welcomes the opening of the Regional Service Centre.”
The CMA said it was further heartened by Westpac Chief Executive, Anthony Miller’s comments following the opening in Moree, which alluded to further reinvestment in rural and regional financial services. He indicated that the new centre will help Westpac to improve banking services in in the Moree area, including for business and agribusiness customers.
“This is just the beginning. Regional Australia is vital to the economy and we continue to explore ways we can invest in these communities to help unlock their full potential,” Mr Miller said.
The Australian Government secured a moratorium on bank branch closures from the ‘big four’ until mid-2027. However, this has been treated with cynicism and contempt, says Mayor Firman.
“In a lot of cases, branches are operating reduced hours, across a reduced number of days. There are growing examples where customers are not dealing with a local manager with the authority to approve a modest or even sizeable loan,” he said.
“CMA also acknowledge that there are community owned banks and Credit Unions, which support rural, regional and remote
communities.
“There are other options to the ‘Big Four’, however, Westpac deserve our thanks and praise on this occasion. We couldn’t be happier for Moree Shire Council and their citizens. Our rural communities will repay loyalty with loyalty – it’s as simple as that.”
