Western Sydney residents are outraged over the closure of a popular bank branch.
Commonwealth Bank has announced the closure of its Doonside branch, which residents labelled a “huge blow”.
The branch is set to close on November 29.
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Blacktown MP Stephen Bali spoke against the closure in NSW Parliament last month, saying it was done “without any community consultation”.
“The branch first opened 60 years ago on September 21, 1964,” he said.
“Its closure will exacerbate long wait times and other issues related to access to banking services given that other Commonwealth Bank branches have closed throughout the area.
“We have been told to go to branches in Blacktown, Mount Druitt or Plumpton.
“Similarly, St George Bank once had ATMs in Woodcroft, but those were closed down and replaced with private ATMs.
“In 2023 the four major banks closed 384 branches, of which the Commonwealth Bank closed 73.
“Doonside has become the latest statistic.”
‘Devastating loss’
Other banking options are “a fair distance away”, Bali said.
He noted the recent Senate report on the effect of branch closures on consumers and businesses recommended the existing banking code of conduct — which is currently voluntary and requires banks to undertake meaningful consultation with communities before shutting down any branch — be made mandatory.
The code also requires banks to fund transition and other ongoing services to ensure customers have access to cash and essential banking services in the event of a closure.
It also requires banks to mail a notice to customers of a branch at least 90 days before the proposed closing date.
“The Australian Banking Association (ABA) will require its members, of which the Commonwealth Bank is one, to apply the code,” Bali said.
“I am in possession of some of the letters the bank sent to its customers.
“They are dated October 18 … and the branch is set to close in 40 days.”
He said he would contact the ABA to “ensure the Commonwealth Bank adheres to providing proper consultation”.
“The Commonwealth Bank and Westpac stated publicly that they had extended their moratoriums on branch closures to December 2026.
“I am not sure why the Commonwealth Bank has shut down its Doonside branch during that moratorium period.”
On social media, Bali has called the closure a “devastating loss for our community (and) a blow to accessibility (that) will have ripple effects on other small businesses”.
The community has also slammed the closure.
“It really sucks for the elders of the community that have used that branch for many years, they now have to travel to a further location the poor things,” one local said on Facebook.
“That’s terrible,” another person said. “It’s a busy branch.”
However, others pointed out that many people do not use cash anymore and that people can still access some services at the post office.
“The people in the post office are not bank employees and cannot answer questions about accounts,” one local responded.
CommBank has been contacted for comment about the closure.