The remote Tasmanian community of Queenstown is bracing for a significant blow to its local economy and accessibility with the announcement that the Bendigo Bank branch will permanently shut its doors. The closure, scheduled for November 15th, will leave the historic West Coast town without any physical banking facilities.
A Community Cut Off
For the residents and business owners of Queenstown, the branch's shutdown represents more than an inconvenience; it severs a vital lifeline. Locals will now face a daunting 180-kilometre round trip to the nearest bank in Burnie, a journey that takes them over treacherous mountain roads. This poses a particular challenge for the town's elderly population and those without reliable transport.
The End of an Era for West Coast Banking
This closure marks the end of an era for banking services in Queenstown, a town once bustling during its mining heyday. The Bendigo Bank branch has been a cornerstone of the community, not just for transactions but as a social hub. The decision is part of a wider trend affecting regional Australia, where digital banking adoption is cited as the primary reason for scaling back physical networks.
Community Backlash and the Search for Solutions
Unsurprisingly, the news has been met with frustration and concern. The Queenstown community feels abandoned, arguing that the unique challenges of their remote location have been ignored. In response to the backlash, Bendigo Bank has stated it is “working with the community to explore ongoing access to banking services,” potentially through a Bank@Post arrangement at the local post office.
However, many locals remain sceptical, viewing this as a stopgap measure that fails to replace the full service and personal interaction of a dedicated branch. The closure raises serious questions about the future viability of remote towns and the growing divide between urban and regional access to essential services.
