Kulin opens new Community Bank

15/10/99
Regional Development Minister, Hendy Cowan congratulated the people of Kulin on the opening of their Community Bank, a branch of the Bendigo Bank.
Mr Cowan said it was inspiring to see a rural community working co-operatively to enhance its economic future.
"The effort local people have invested in ensuring the town has access to banking services signals their faith in the future of their community," Mr Cowan said.
"Many similar small communities have been affected by the loss of services such as banking, not only do staff and their families leave, locals who have to travel elsewhere to access services such as banking tend to take their business with them.
"The Kulin community has worked together to investigate the feasibility of establishing a local bank and has raised $270,000 to ensure it was established."
Mr Cowan said he was pleased the Western Australian Government had been able to support the community with a $5,000 contribution to the feasibility study.
He said the Regional Co-ordination Fund, administered by the Department of Commerce and Trade was available to help other small communities conduct similar studies with dollar-for-dollar grants up to $5,000.

Media contact: Julie Cole 9481 2044