• Wal says Westpac’s Palmyra branch isn’t just ugly, it’s dangerous.

WITH Westpac on track to post a $7 billion profit this year, one local customer is wondering why the bank can’t throw a few dollars towards its ugly Palmyra branch.

“Wal”, a businessman who doesn’t want to be identified in case it gets his account manager off-side, says the place is now so run-down it’s dangerous as well as an eyesore.

For years he’s complained about sand and mulch spilling onto the footpath along Petra Street near Stammers, but this week he was gobsmacked to see what appear to be live wires, exposed by erosion.

“Palmyra’s demographic is changing and now there’s lots of families and mums with prams coming along there, so it’s quite dangerous,” he told the Herald.

He says mulch is mostly flicked up by 4WDs of people using a business centre next to the bank, but says Westpace can’t just turn a blind eye.

‘I’ve worked in some pretty rough places in southern Africa, and really I can’t think of anywhere that looked worse.’

Apart from the safety aspect, he says the bank should be ashamed of how it’s presenting itself to customers and the community.

“I’ve worked in some pretty rough places in southern Africa, and really I can’t think of anywhere that looked worse.”

The bank’s sign is rusty, the verge hasn’t been mowed in months, huge puddles form in the carpark after rain and the only effort towards landscaping is the mulch, which is worn so thin it’s little more than a feeble obstacle course for kikuyu.

Westpac media manager Supreet Thomas told the Herald someone would head straight out looking for the exposed wires.

She says the bank is restricted with what it can do as it’s only a tenant, but it’s been discussing improvements with the landlord.

A new sign is on the way and the bank will improve grounds maintenance.

by STEVE GRANT