Shire of Waroona happy to have retained National Australia Bank ATM in new location at Forget Me Not

It is not the same as bankers and tellers, but the Waroona community will still have a place to withdraw cash in town.

After the National Australia Bank announced it would be closing the doors of its Waroona branch for good in November last year, the Shire of Waroona had been looking for a spot to home the area’s only 24-hour ATM.

Several locations were put forward, with the shire suggesting the Waroona Visitor Centre, but it has found a new home on South Western Highway nested within the walls of the clothing and gift shop Forget Me Not.

Shire president Mike Walmsley said retaining the ATM after the NAB branch left town was the best outcome the council could have hoped for.

“It’s good have the town still serviced by an ATM,” he said.

Cr Walmsley said for small towns like Waroona, having access to banking services in town is still deeply important to many in the community.

From those needing cash for markets, community events and sausage sizzles to business owners needing to fill their early morning float, he said “cash is still king”.

“Obviously if it wasn’t being used, they wouldn’t have replaced it,” Cr Walmsley said.

“So we are very pleased with the outcome and NAB have followed through with the commitment to retaining the ATM in town.”

Despite the success of the ATM, Cr Walmsley said he would still love to have a have fully functioning bank in town.

“People are missing the face to face (service), but unfortunately we’ve moved on,” he said.

“An ATM can be pretty cold, it’s by no means a personal service, but at least it’s some sort of service.

“It’s a much better outcome than none at all.”