URGENT UPDATE: Westpac Bank has just opened a new Regional Service Centre in Moree, NSW, a major move that signals a renewed commitment to regional communities. The centre, located at 84 Balo Street, officially opened on October 13, 2025, just two years after closing its Moree branch in February 2023.
Mayor of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), Rick Firman OAM, hailed the opening as a significant step forward for rural and remote communities that have been facing increasing financial hardships. “Our rural, remote, and regional communities in NSW keep getting hit with bad news, like the recent Bendigo Bank agency closures,” he stated. “That one of the ‘Big Four’ is bucking the trend and reinvesting in our non-metro economies is to be applauded.”
The new service centre comes as a relief to residents, particularly after Westpac’s closure of its Moree branch, which was part of a staggering 2,100 bank closures nationwide between 2017 and 2023. Cr. Susannah Pearse, Mayor of Moree Plains Shire Council, expressed her excitement, describing the opening as a “show of faith in both Moree Plains and regional Australia.”
In a statement following the opening, Westpac Chief Executive Anthony Miller emphasized the bank’s commitment to improving financial services in the area. “This is just the beginning. Regional Australia is vital to the economy, and we continue to explore ways we can invest in these communities to help unlock their full potential,” he said.
Despite the Australian Government securing a moratorium on bank branch closures from the ‘big four’ until mid-2027, skepticism remains prevalent among local leaders. Mayor Firman voiced concerns, noting that many branches continue to operate with reduced hours and limited staff capacity. “In a lot of cases, customers are not dealing with a local manager who can approve loans,” he pointed out.
While acknowledging other community banking options, Mayor Firman stressed, “Westpac deserves our thanks and praise on this occasion. We couldn’t be happier for Moree Shire Council and their citizens.” He added, “Our rural communities will repay loyalty with loyalty – it’s as simple as that.”
As the situation develops, residents and local businesses will be closely watching Westpac’s next moves in enhancing services in Moree and beyond. The opening of the Regional Service Centre marks a pivotal moment for banking in rural Australia, reigniting hope for better financial access and support in these vital communities.
