Doonside residents fired up over Commonwealth Bank branch closure

Fired-up customers have lashed out at the Commonwealth Bank, branding the impending closure of another western Sydney branch “a disgrace”.

The Commonwealth Bank has closed several branches across the Blacktown local government area in recent years. Picture: NewsWire / Glen Campbell

Fired-up customers have labelled the Commonwealth Bank “thieves”, branding its decision to close another western Sydney branch “a disgrace”.

The bank has moved to shut Doonside branch on November 29, citing a 50 per cent decline in customers over the past five years, following the closure of others in Rooty Hill, Kings Langley, Toongabbie, Pendle Hill and Blacktown’s Main St in recent years.

An online petition against the closure, created on October 22, had attracted 341 signatures at the time of writing.

One local resident, Michelle Oberman, called the decision “a disgrace”, writing that it hurt locals who had physical disabilities that prevented them from travelling long distances.

“My parents still do their banking at this bank, which is close to their property,” she said.

The announcement of the Doonside branch’s closure. Picture: Supplied

“There are people in Doonside who are unable to go to Blacktown because of their physical condition,” she said.

Another resident, Susan Maleszka, said she was “too old to queue up for hours” at one of the remaining branches in Blacktown’s Westpoint shopping centre.

Locals are furious with the Commonwealth Bank over the imminent closure of its Doonside branch. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

Kate Chris pointed out that the Doonside branch was a busy one, saying it “serves the community well”.

She said many people, including “busy mums” and those with disabilities, used the Doonside branch because they already found it “impossible to get to and line up at Blacktown and Mt Druitt”.

Resident Svea Mahoney slammed the latest closure in her comment on the petition, branding the bank “thieves” who take “our money and give us nothing”.

Blacktown councillor Allan Green, who has previously raised concerns about the continuous closures of branches, has contacted the bank about what he called its “heartless decision”.

Blacktown councillor Allan Green has been a staunch objector to the closure of the bank’s Doonside branch. Picture: Facebook

“I have been informed that the CBA Doonside branch will be closing in November,” Mr Green wrote.

“I note that in recent time the CBA has closed several branches in the Blacktown (local government area), which is the largest populated LGA in NSW, with over 430,000 residents.

“Many of these residents are disadvantaged people who rely on face-to-face contact with a local CBA bank branch.

“The recent closure of the Main St Blacktown branch has left only the remaining CBD Blacktown Westpoint branch, which is always crowded with the line often extending outside the door.

“The lack of respect and genuine concern for the community shown by the CBA in recent times is a disgrace and it needs to stop!”

In response, the bank told Mr Green the matter was “currently with our government and industry affairs team”.

“I have confirmed that they will endeavour to provide you a response by 24 November 2024 about the concerns you have raised on behalf of the Blacktown LGA community,” the response to Mr Green said.

Irene Rowlands, Commonwealth Bank’s general manager for the Sydney region, told this masthead the bank remained “committed to maintaining the largest branch network in the country” and that it would “warmly welcome our Doonside customers to our nearby branches”.

“Our Westpoint Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Seven Hills Shopping Centre branches are popular banking centres for the Doonside community, and as a result we’ve invested $5.1m to expand our services for customers in the area,” Ms Rowlands said in a statement.

“These are larger branches, with more staff at each location, including home lending specialists, business bankers, and access to convenient self-service technology.”