Wee Waa Chamber fights to retain ANZ Bank branch

Wee Waa Chamber of Commerce is determined to fight to retain the Wee Waa branch of the ANZ Bank.

The bank has announced that the branch will close in March next year.

The chamber has expressed dismay at the announcement and has embarked on a campaign to ensure the branch stays.

“The chamber believes that the ANZ bank branch is too important to the community to be shut,” said chamber publicity officer Janelle Schwager.

“Chamber members and the wider community are extremely concerned about the proposed impending branch closure.

“This will have a detrimental effect on Wee Waa and the district,” Ms Schwager said.

“The ANZ branch employs three and provides an essential service to business and residents.

“We have written to the ANZ district manager inviting her to attend the next meeting on November 18.

“We are going to follow up and ask that if we can’t get together we hold a virtual meeting,” said Ms Schwager.

The proposed closure comes at a time when Wee Waa district is looking forward to greatly improved seasonal prospects and anticipated growth as various developments including the Inland Rail project begin to gather momentum in the shire – the ‘rain and the train’ equation, as one businessperson commented.

There is already demonstrated interest from investors and demand for residential accommodation in Wee Waa ahead of the upswing in commercial activity.

“The chamber is very proactive in fighting this decision,” said Ms Schwager.

“We are seeking the meeting with ANZ to hear reasons for the closure and for a representative to listen to concerns presented by Wee Waa business houses and residents.”

Driving to Narrabri for bank transactions is not a realistic option, the chamber points out.

“Closure of the branch will affect so many people – business houses won’t be able to deposit money there, their cash for the day, they would have to drive to Narrabri at the end of the day,” said Ms Schwager.

“It will affect so many services – our elderly residents want to be able to go into the bank. Not everyone does online banking and not everyone has a computer to do online banking.

“Wee Waa is central to Burren, Gwabegar and Pilliga, so people in those areas will have to travel to Narrabri, at least a two hour trip all round to get to the bank.”