Lithgow City Council will formally object to the Commonwealth Bank’s plan to close the last remaining bank in Portland by writing to the bank’s group executive retail banking services Angus Sullivan.
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Cr Cassandra Coleman moved the notice of motion at the meeting on September 24 in response to the Portland Business Association’s campaign to protest the closure, which will take place in November 28. It was unanimously supported.
The association has circulated a petition opposing the recent announcement, which will be available to be signed in local Portland businesses until the middle of October.
“It’s important we show the Commonwealth Bank that as a community we are not happy with the decision (to close the local branch),” association president Andrew Neville said.
“The petition is just one way to voice our objection.”
Portland resident John Kearns addressed council, representing the “disappointment and disgust” of the community.
“We will be doing everything in our power to reverse this decision,” he said.
“The decision was thrust upon this community without any consultation and has created great angst in Portland and its surrounding districts.”
Cr Cassandra Coleman told council there were significant issues in closing the bank for residents.
“My concern is there was no consultation, we’ve lost the level of service, those who don’t have access to a vehicle have to travel to Lithgow or to Bathurst, and we have no public transport,” she said.
“There’s a loss of face-to-face contact…. I understand that the Federal Member Andrew Gee has made representation without success and I acknowledge him for that, however we as a community and a council need to back the decision of the Portland Business Association… we need to make a stand, irrelevant of the outcome.”
Cr Maree Statham said the closure was a “travesty”.
“It's been an icon in Portland for decades,” she said.
“I don’t think it matters how much you lobby, I think they’ve made a decision, however I support the lobbying.”
The Commonwealth Bank will also be closing its Blackheath branch in 2018.
Kirsty Horton
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
