Vic

Residents of Stawell and surrounding towns have been deserted for the greener pastures of the digital realm, with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank suggesting that an investment shift toward phone and internet banking services is behind a decision to permanently close the Bendigo Bank Agency located at Fosters Mensland in Stawell ... With an aging demographic, many residents in Northern Grampians Shire rely on consistent face-to-face interaction and prefer to bank with representatives they know and trust.

Northern Grampians Shire Council has called on governments and energy agencies to respond directly to the concerns of farmers and local landowners before it develops new power transmission infrastructure ... "At the forum most of these questions were left unanswered. Rather than decide and defend, the government needs to ensure that meaningful consultation and direct negotiation is offered": Cr Kevin Erwin.

Community members across Murray River and Gannawarra local government areas continue to express their dismay at the Bendigo Bank’s decision to close the Barham, Cohuna and Pyramid Hill agencies. The bank claims the closures, along with 13 others, are due to the number and value of over-the-counter transactions falling as more customers choose to do their banking online ... This week, a meeting was held between Bendigo Bank executives, Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and a representative of the Gannawarra Shire Council.

The Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (RWAV) facilitated a Service Access Round Table in response to the challenges faced in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in Nhill and surrounding areas ... The workshop was held in response to the difficulties faced in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas, with challenges including limited access to housing, childcare, and supervision.