THE impending closure of the Bendigo Bank in Korumburra on August 29, has seen local groups, councillors and MPs working together in an effort to keep a bank open in the town.
Members of the Korumburra Round Table and the Korumburra Community Development Association Inc. have joined forces to form the Korumburra Save Our Bank working group (KSOBWG). As part of their campaign, the KSOBWG met with the Bendigo Bank's head of retail banking, and the senior manager of national operations last week.
“A few ideas are on the table that they are having a closer look at. We are working tirelessly to get the best outcome for the community. Korumburra does not deserve to be left without a bank,” said Noelene Cosson.
“In the meantime, Bendigo Bank have agreed to waive deposit and withdrawal fees made via Bank@Post for 12 months.”
South Gippsland Shire Councillors, John Schelling, Nathan Hersey and John Kennedy also met with the Bendigo Bank representatives. They discussed their disappointment at the decision, customer concerns, the future growth of Korumburra and advocated for the establishment of a Community Bank.
“(We) pointed to some community concern that perhaps the service at the site hadn’t been up to the expected standard over the past few years, which could be an indicator as to why the use of the site has actually dropped off,” explained Cr Hersey. “We also talked about the planned expansion for both industrial growth and residential growth in Korumburra, pointing to the fact that there will be a future need for a bank of some sort in the town, which was received, I think, better than expected. We pushed for strong consideration of a Community Bank branch from the Bendigo Bank to be established in Korumburra.”
A Community Bank has not been definitively ruled out by the bank officials, offering hope to the community.
“We would be seeking the support of the Bendigo Bank to at least provide an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with both the community and perhaps other community bank branches in the region as to how that may be established,” said Cr Hersey.
In this light, Mayor Schelling has written to the Bendigo Bank requesting a round table meeting to be convened, and that Milpara House be used as a site for people who need practical banking support, if the closure goes ahead.
Mary Aldred MP, Federal Member for Monash, is supportive of the campaign and also met with the Bendigo Bank personnel, putting forward the option for Korumburra to join with other Community Banks and continue operating as a branch as part of an existing network.
“They have taken on board the suggestions that I’ve made on behalf of local residents and particularly around the community banking concept. They’re going to come back to me once they’ve been able to fully consider the option and what that might involve,” said Ms Aldred, who will also raise the issue at Parliament.