Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, has expressed his anger regarding the future of the Walgett branch of the National Australia Bank (NAB).
The NAB wrote to Mr Coulton in April this year advising that the Walgett branch will close on Friday, 2 October 2015 because the premises in Fox Street no longer meet required NAB building standards.
“I am disgusted with the NAB’s decision to close its Walgett branch, particularly at a time when the Walgett community is struggling with the drought,” Mr Coulton said.
Mr Coulton understands the concerns raised about the safety of the NAB premises in Walgett; however he warns that this should not be used as an excuse to close the branch.
“The NAB needs to overcome the issues with the accommodation for the Walgett branch and ensure they do not use these issues as an excuse to desert Walgett.”
Walgett provides valuable services to many agricultural and small businesses in its area with face-to-face banking being one of these.
“The NAB and all other banks need to ensure they support rural and regional communities such as Walgett and continue to contribute to the local economies of these towns,” Mr Coulton said.