Bushfires force Event to shut Thredbo; CBA, NAB close bank branches

Hospitality businesses and bank branches are shutting across the country as the bushfires escalate.

Event said in a statement to the ASX that the evacuation of Thredbo would be completed by 10am on Friday. Picture: Steve Cuff

Event Hospitality and Entertainment said on Thursday it would close the Thredbo resort until further notice due to the impending threat of bushfires.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has taken the decision to close and evacuate the entire Kosciuszko National Park, where the popular ski resort resides.

Event said in a statement to the ASX that the evacuation of Thredbo would be completed by 10am on Friday.

An Event spokesperson said it was currently assisting authorities in evacuating people directly impacted by the threat of fire.

Airbnb has urged holidaymakers using its service to evacuate the NSW Tourist Leave Zone, designated by the NSW Rural Fire Service.

“Guests forced to cancel or avoid going on their trips due to the bushfires in NSW can contact Airbnb for support,” said Airbnb Australia and New Zealand Country Manager Susan Wheeldon.

“We would encourage anyone looking to visit a bushfire-affected area this summer to be vigilant and to check local fire authority websites before travelling.”

Banks

Commonwealth Bank said a number of branches were closed, partly because of the damage bushfires and smoke have caused to key power and telecommunications services.

“The continuing bushfire emergencies across the country are impacting Commonwealth Bank services, particularly on the south coast of NSW and in Victoria,” a CBA spokesperson said.

“We are endeavouring to keep all of our branches and ATMs operating, but this is subject to advice from the emergency services about the proximity of the fires, access to locations, the safety of our staff and customers and the availability of power and telecommunication services.”

As at January 2, there are 10 Commonwealth Bank branches closed in NSW and Victoria. In Victoria, the branches are in Bright, Corryong and Orbost. In NSW, the branches closed are in Batemans Bay, Batlow, Huskisson, Merimbula, Narooma and Ulladulla.

NAB updated the number of branches closed and said on Thursday that 19 branches had been shut throughout the day across NSW and the ACT.

NAB said on Monday it closed 11 branches, noting that the safety of its staff and the community was the bank’s “priority”.

Branches in Lakes Entrance and Orbost in eastern Victoria were closed as the Emergency Management Commissioner warned residents and holiday-makers to evacuate East Gippsland, with temperatures of up to 40C, strong winds and thunderstorms forecast.

Across South Australia, which was bracing for catastrophic bushfire conditions in a number of regions, NAB closed branches in Clare, Gawler, Jamestown, Mount Barker, Nuriootpa, Stirling, Strathalbyn, Victor Harbor and Murray Bridge.

ANZ branches in Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Bright in Victoria have closed and two in NSW (Batemans Bay, Tumut). An ANZ spokesperson said the number could change over the coming days if conditions worsened.

Two St George branches in Batemans Bay and Ulladulla have been closed. A spokesperson from its parent company, Westpac, said the closures were due to staffing capabilities.

“Westpac branches are unaffected by the current bushfires and remain open to support our customers with their banking needs,” a spokesperson said.

“The decision to temporarily close a branch would be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the advice of the relevant authorities.”

Bendigo Bank has closed eight branches including Milton, Mallacoota, Sussex Inlet, Sanctuary Point, Tumbarumba, Corryong Business Centre, Batemans Bay (Alliance Banks), Bemboka (Alliance Banks).

Supermarkets

Woolworths supermarkets in Narooma and Bermagui have been closed. The Batemans Bay stores are currently only accepting cash as the EFTPOS system is down.

A Coles spokesperson said none of its stores had been closed because of the bushfires.

“All stores are open and we have re-routed deliveries where necessary to ensure our stores remain stocked with essentials for customers,” a Coles spokesperson said.

“As a thank you to all volunteer firefighters, Coles is providing over $3m in gift cards to more than 6000 rural fire brigades across Australia.”

KPMG has cancelled its annual corporate bash on Victoria’s Morning Peninsula for the first time in more than two decades out of respect for the victims of the bushfires raging across the state and nation.

Additional reporting by Adeshola Ore, Nick Evans, Michael Roddan