A Bendigo Bank spokesperson said:
“ Whilst we recognise this decision may impact some customers, due to growing customer use and popularity of ‘tap and go’ payments – and the acceptance by and preference for card and mobile payments by nearly all local retail outlets – usage of the ATM in Meeniyan has been declining steadily year on year. Regrettably, this means that the Bank has had to make a decision to remove the ATM at the end of this month with the exact date yet to be determined. The nearest Bendigo Bank branches with ATM facilities are located in Leongatha and Foster, both of which are 20 minutes’ drive by car from Meeniyan. Customers in Meeniyan can also continue to transact as normal at any Bendigo Bank branch or ATM, via internet banking, our mobile app or via phone banking on 1300 236 344”
Last Wednesday the Bendigo Bank gave notice that the ATM machine outside the Meeniyan Accountant on the South Gippsland Highway was to close as soon as the contents of the machine were withdrawn.
The machine is not linked to the accounting firm and is shown on the Bendigo bank website as Brown Wigg-the company that owns the building the ATM is located on.
The bank was contacted for comment but did not get back to us ahead of our printing deadline. Update information will be available on our website:
The bank was asked if the closing of the ATM was due to relocation within Meeniyan township or a permanent closure resulting in the town having no cash ATM available outside business premises.
Meeniyan is a small town that draws in large crowds on weekends with its café and art gallery culture prominent in the area within South Gippsland. It is feared that local traders will lose out if people are unable to draw cash out from an in -town ATM machine.
The closest ATM is at Leongatha 13km and Foster 18km.
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