So the ANZ were planning on closing Bega, Portland in Victoria, Katoomba and Murwillumbah. They have flipped on two of them, Bega and Portland. This greedy corporation still intend to close OUR branch, Katoomba, a large tourist town who needs it banks just as much as any other Australian community. 

But...

Today I have received some important information. This has been passed on to the media and the Treasurer Jim Chalmers who actually imposed a set of conditions on the ANZ when they took over Suncorp in June this year. One of those conditions is that the ANZ cannot close any regional branch for at least 3 years! 

These are the exact words written by Jim Chalmers:

To ensure the transaction is in the national interest, I have decided to approve this proposal subject to strict conditions.

The conditions I have imposed are legally‑binding and ensure Australians continue to have access to vital banking services, employees aren’t left behind, and Queensland and Australia benefit from the transaction.

The Commonwealth’s conditions prohibit regional branch closures for three years, require ANZ to make every effort to join Bank@Post, ensure no net employment losses across Australia for three years due to the transaction, and insist on proper engagement with employees and the Finance Sector Union.

Presence Commitments
No changes to the total number of Suncorp Bank branches in Queensland for at least three years.
No regional ANZ branches closed Australia wide for three years.
No regional Suncorp Bank branches closed Australia wide for three years.

Now, the ANZ will claim that Katoomba is not regional, but they have refuted that by giving us a 6 month notice period, as required by their own protocols for REGIONAL BRANCHES. What is also disappointing is that proper consultation with affected communities like ours does not get a mention. The ANZ bank owes us an explanation, an apology for the distress and inconvenience it has caused by an illegal act, and the immediate removal of our branch closure notice.

Tonight I have written to Jim Chalmers, made an official complaint to the ANZ with notice that we will be taking this to the ACCC and any media that will listen.

Let us see if they care a bit more about Katoomba and Murwillumbah after this. 

In the meantime YOU can help by signing this petition and continue the fight to keep our branch open.

We live in Mount Victoria, and if the Katoomba branch closes, we face a 1.5-hour drive either east or west to reach the nearest ANZ branch. This is not just an inconvenience; it's an outrageous disregard for customers from a bank that reaps significant profits. The proposed closure of this branch - the only one between Penrith and Bathurst - shows a lack of care or concern for customers, especially those who are elderly, without transport, or on lower incomes. It's disgraceful behaviour from what should be a community-focused bank.

The ANZ bank made over $6 billion profit last year (source: ANZ Annual Report). Yet despite these substantial earnings, it seems willing to abandon its loyal customers in Blue Mountains NSW by closing their local branch.

We cannot stand by while our community is disregarded in such a manner. We need your support to show ANZ that we value our local banking services and will not accept this decision without protest. Please sign this petition to prevent the closure of our local ANZ Bank Branch in Katoomba.