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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Plans for community bank

 

The Peninsula could have a community bank in a year, according to Cr Debra Wales, who is leading moves to establish the bank.

"With the community's support and a strong hardworking steering committee, we could have a Bendigo Community Bank, a Peninsula Community Bank, up and running by this time next year," she said.

Cr Wales said a steering committee would survey businesses in town, collect pledges to meet an initial goal of $450,000 and prepare a business plan.

We will endeavour to distribute all the information to the community as quickly as possible.

"This project will have the full support of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and the Ettalong Beach Heritage Committee," she said.

"But this is ultimately a community effort to ensure we have our own bank."

The last bank in Ettalong will close at the end of June.

"Studies have shown that a high percentage of people do their shopping where they bank.

"We only hope there is a strong loyalty to the township of Ettalong Beach and that people will continue to support their local businesses."

More than 100 people voted unanimously at a public meeting at the Ettalong Memorial Club in April to investigate setting up a community bank.

"The Bendigo Bank has been very supportive and our first stage of investigation is underway," said Cr Wales.

Posters, with contact numbers, are now in shop windows and the working group and steering committee is being formed, she said.

Information will be available at the stalls along with members of the working group who will answer questions and give away balloons.

Newsletter, May 15