Quarterlytics / Industrials / Engineering & Construction / Transurban Group

Transurban Group

tcl · ASX Industrials
Claim this profile
Ticker tcl
Exchange ASX
Sector Industrials
Industry Engineering & Construction
Employees 1001-5000
← All annual reports
FY2003 Annual Report · Transurban Group
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
BREAKING 
NEW GROUND

annual report 2003

breaking new ground

Transurban Group is breaking new ground in the development
and management of fully electronic toll roads.

The company is generating strong cash flows and distributions
for investors – and protecting future distribution flows as it
grows the business. 

This report covers a year in which we increased revenues
from CityLink in Melbourne and began work on Westlink M7,
the new Sydney toll road in which we hold a 40 per cent stake.

Transurban is at the forefront of an emerging new paradigm 
in the development of privately financed infrastructure projects –
an approach that will pay off for governments, communities
and investors. 

2

transurban annual report 2003

Transurban Group

Transurban Holdings Limited
ABN 86 098 143 410
Transurban Holding Trust
ABN 30 169 362 255

Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited
ABN 96 098 143 410
Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited
ABN 27 098 147 678 (as responsible entity of the Transurban
CARS Trust ARSN 103 090 928)

Registered Office
Level 43 Rialto South Tower
525 Collins Street 
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Telephone +613 9612 6999
Facsimile +613 9649 7380
www.transurban.com.au

Directors

Auditors

Laurence G Cox AO, Chairman
Kim Edwards, Managing Director
Peter C Byers
Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Jeremy G A Davis
Susan M Oliver
Geoffrey R Phillips
David J Ryan

Company Secretaries

Geoffrey R Phillips
Paul O’Shea
Andrew Carnegie

PricewaterhouseCoopers
333 Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Telephone 61 3 8603 1000
Facsimile 61 3 8603 1999

Share/unit register

Computershare Investor 
Services Pty Limited
Level Twelve
565 Bourke Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Enquiries 
(within Australia) 1300 850 505 
(outside Australia) 61 3 9615 5970 
Facsimile 61 3 9611 5710

BREAKING NEW GROUND

3

The Transurban Group

The Transurban Group comprises the following companies and trusts:
■ Transurban Holdings Limited;
■ Transurban Holding Trust;
■ Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited;
■ Transurban CARS Trust;
■ Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited, responsible entity 
for the Transurban Holding Trust and the Transurban CARS Trust.

Shares in Transurban Holdings Limited, units in Transurban Holding
Trust and shares in Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited
comprise a tripled stapled security which is quoted on the ASX. The
individual securities comprising the triple stapled security cannot be
traded separately. 

Transurban Holding Trust holds all the ordinary units in Transurban
CARS Trust. Transurban CARS Trust has preference units which are
quoted on the ASX.

Highlights

Chairman and Managing Director’s report

Breaking new ground on CityLink

Breaking new ground in Sydney

Breaking new ground in Melbourne

Breaking new ground in investment financing

Breaking new ground in corporate social responsibility

Breaking new ground in corporate governance

Transurban Group accounts

Melbourne CityLink Project concise accounts

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

4

6

12

16

20

22

24

28

40

88

105

4

transurban annual report 2003

Breaking new ground sets the scene for
growth – in both distributions to investors 
and the development of new business
opportunities. 2002 – 03 saw Transurban
continue to grow a flourishing business.

BREAKING NEW GROUND >

milestones 2002 – 03

distributions up

20 cents per stapled security in 2002 – 03,
compared to 5.25 cents the year before

equity raising

$430 million raised for equity in Westlink M7
through the award-winning CARS issue

revenue growth

CityLink revenues top $230 million in 2002 – 03,
10.7 per cent higher than the year before

sydney debut

Transurban’s consortium wins Sydney's 
$2.23 billion Westlink M7 project

BREAKING NEW GROUND

5

video tolling

New video-based ACCESS tolling product
launched on CityLink

e-tags interstate

Our e-TAG® devices now operate on NSW 
and Queensland toll roads

commitment

Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility
programs throughout the business

new prospect 

Bidding for the Mitcham-Frankston 
Freeway with experienced partners

6

transurban annual report 2003

BREAKING NEW GROUND

Laurence G Cox Chairman

Kim Edwards Managing Director

BREAKING NEW GROUND

7

chairman & managing director‘s report

Delivering a secure distribution stream

2002 – 03 was a successful year for Transurban 
and distributions to security holders were delivered 
as promised.

Tax-deferred distributions were paid totalling 20 cents
per stapled security for the year – 10 cents for each 
half year.

Following a competitive tender, we won a 40 per cent
share in Australia’s premier new toll road project,
Westlink M7, formerly known as the Western 
Sydney Orbital. $430 million was raised to fund our
equity in the project through an award-winning hybrid
security issue. The financing structure ensures that
CityLink distributions will not be diluted during the
construction period. 

Traffic and revenue grew strongly on CityLink in
Melbourne and customer service and marketing 
costs were further reduced. We continued new
product development, and successfully introduced
fully interoperability with other electronic toll roads
along Australia’s eastern seaboard. Customers can
now travel on these roads and pay through their
CityLink account.

CityLink is now regarded as the most efficient full
electronic toll road in the world. We expect a steady
flow of new toll road opportunities in the years ahead,
and have a highly credentialled team to ensure we
participate in this growth.

Our strategy aims to maintain a secure distribution
stream for security holders and at the same time
participate in carefully planned growth.

The potential for growth

The year demonstrated the significant growth potential
in Australia’s electronic toll road sector with new
projects planned or foreshadowed by the NSW and
Victorian governments. Transurban took part in that
growth while protecting the flow of CityLink distributions
to our investors. 

Transurban began life as a pioneer in the development
of multi-lane, freeflow electronic toll roads. Seven years
after listing on the Australian Stock Exchange, we are
still breaking new ground:

Our cornerstone asset, CityLink, is generating
revenue of over $230 million a year and
demonstrating higher growth than initially forecast

■ We have established ourselves in Sydney,

Australia’s largest market for electronic toll roads

In October 2002, our consortium won the bid to
develop the Westlink M7, formerly known as the
Western Sydney Orbital 

■ We will supply the tolling system and operate

tolling and customer service on Westlink, in which
we hold a 40 per cent stake

And we are part of a consortium bidding for
Melbourne’s new toll road project, the 
Mitcham-Frankston Freeway.

Traffic and revenue 
grew strongly on CityLink
in Melbourne and we won 
a new project in Sydney.

■
■
■
8

transurban annual report 2003

Financial results

Your company is generating strong free cash flows, but
we will continue to report accounting losses for several
years as we depreciate our major investment in CityLink.
The depreciation charge is a non-cash item and does
not affect our ability to pay distributions.

The Transurban Group reported a net loss of $83.6 million
for the year ended 30 June 2003. The net loss for the
prior corresponding period was $67.2 million, but is not
comparable with this year’s result as it only relates to
the period from 18 December 2001 (when the group
became a reporting entity) and 30 June 2002.

The net loss includes non-cash expenses of $180.9
million (for depreciation and amortisation and for
Concession Fees relating to the CityLink asset) and
consequently, does not reflect the capacity of the
group to pay cash distributions to security holders.
This capacity is more realistically represented by the
profit before non-cash charges, which for the year
ended 30 June 2003 was $97.3 million.

The contribution of CityLink to the profit before 
non-cash expenses was $109.6 million, compared 
to a loss of $23.3 million for the prior corresponding
period. However, the previous result was impacted by
two significant items of a non-recurring nature:
revenue of $153.6 million through the settlement of
our dispute with the CityLink contractor, TOJV, and
costs of $235.5 million relating to the refinancing of
CityLink’s debt. Excluding these items, the CityLink
result for the year ended 30 June 2002 was a profit
before non-cash expenses of $58.6 million.

The increase of $51.3 million in CityLink’s profit before
non-cash expenses and excluding non-recurring items
was driven by:

Traffic growth of 6.8 per cent

A 10.7 per cent increase in toll revenue, reflecting
the increased traffic and toll increases 

A reduction of 12.4 per cent in customer service 
costs, achieved by renegotiating outsourcing 
contracts, the migration of customers to lower 
cost service channels and improved productivity

A reduction of 23.8 per cent in net borrowing 
costs due to the refinancing of CityLink’s debt 
on  more favourable terms.

A more detailed review of the operations of the Group
is provided in the Directors’ Report on the Group
Financial Report (see pages 42 to 52).

Distributions

The increased profit before non-cash expenses for
CityLink allowed the payment of increased distributions.
The total distribution of $103.0 milion for the year 
ended 30 June 2003 is 20 cents per stapled security,
compared to $26.8 million, equivalent to 5.25 cents 
per stapled security for the prior corresponding period. 

The final distribution for the year ended 30 June 
2003 of 10 cents per stapled security will be paid 
on 8 October 2003.

■
■
■
■
BREAKING NEW GROUND

9

The NSW market

Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (CARS)

The most significant development of the year was our
success in winning the Westlink M7 project as part of
the WestLink Motorway Limited consortium. 

This road will change the face of Western Sydney,
attracting people and businesses to what is already
the fastest growing region in Australia.

We are confident that Westlink M7 will prove to be a
very good project, delivering strongly growing revenues
and profits over the 34-year concession period.

Winning the project helped establish Transurban 
in the NSW market and the company has set up an
office in Sydney.

During the year, Transurban was also involved in a
consortium which unsuccessfully bid for the Lane Cove
Tunnel project in Sydney. While this was a disappointing
outcome, the bid reflected our strict investment criteria.
We will only invest in projects which we believe will
add value for our security holders.

Distributions to investors
for the year ended 
30 June 2003 totalled
$103 million.

Transurban raised its capital contribution for the
Westlink M7 project through a $430 million issue 
of reset preference securities, known as Convertible
Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”). A total of 4.3
million securities of $100 each were issued. Holders 
of CARS received their first distribution in July 2003.

The securities were issued on 14 April 2003 at a price
of $100 per security. They offer holders a cumulative
preferred distribution fixed at the rate of 7.0 per cent
per annum, paid semi-annually, for the period to the
first reset date (14 April 2007). The distributions have
a substantial tax-deferred component (expected to be
90 per cent) and will generally convert into Transurban
securities at a discount of 2.5 per cent to the average
sale price over 20 days preceding conversion.

Victoria

In Melbourne, Transurban is bidding for a new toll 
road project, the Mitcham-Frankston Freeway (“MFF”),
which traverses the city’s southern and eastern
suburbs. Transurban heads the Mitcham Frankston
Motorway Pty Ltd (“MFM”) consortium, one of two
groups competing for the right to develop and operate
the new road. MFF is a 39-kilometre motorway
incorporating two 1.5 kilometre-long tunnels. Our
knowledge of Melbourne traffic and other synergies
with CityLink will help ensure a robust bid from MFM.
Tenders for the project are due by February 2004 and
the successful bidder will be named in mid-2004. 

10

transurban annual report 2003

Global opportunities

Transurban continues to explore opportunities beyond
Australia, particularly in North America and Europe.
However, our approach continues to be cautious and
is based on building long-term relationships with
established players in road infrastructure development
and operation. If major investment is required, we will
investigate raising funds in the relevant overseas
market rather than committing large equity amounts
from our Australian resources. 

As a result of our success, Transurban is constantly
being approached about new projects worldwide. 

Such opportunities are carefully considered to ensure
they fit with our overall business strategy and
investment criteria, and that they can be resourced to
ensure a successful outcome. To date, the Board has
not felt that any offshore project meets these criteria. 

CityLink

Transurban’s senior management team has been
restructured to ensure we maintain our focus on costs
and revenue on CityLink. The continuing success of
CityLink is crucial. It will drive distributions over the
next few years as Westlink M7 is built and as we
pursue further projects. Geoff Phillips was appointed
Deputy Managing Director with overall responsibility
for operating assets such as CityLink. Mr Phillips will
retain his Finance Director duties pending recruitment
of a Chief Financial Officer. Managing Director Kim
Edwards retains overall management control, but the
appointment of a deputy ensures he can focus on the
implementation of the New Business strategy.

CityLink continued to make progress on cost reduction in
2002 – 03. Customer service costs were $30.4 million
for the year, 12.4 per cent lower than the amount for the
year before. The cost reductions were achieved through:

Renegotiation of unit prices under outsourcing contracts

■ Migration of customers to lower cost sales channels

Systems integration and process improvements,
leading to improved productivity.

The CityLink business continues to focus on increasing
revenue by developing new products and services.
2002 – 03 saw the development of a new video
based tolling product called ACCESS, aimed at
infrequent travellers on CityLink, particularly tourists
and visitors from regional Victoria. The new product
has been well accepted. Other developments include:

Extended payment periods for weekend passes – 
customers now have three days to pay

Extension of the Touch network so customers can 
buy CityLink passes at more than 400 newsagents 
across Victoria

The successful implementation of interstate 
roaming services – our e-TAGs now work on toll 
roads in NSW and Queensland so travel on them 
can be paid for through a CityLink account. 

■
■
■
■
■
BREAKING NEW GROUND

11

Corporate social responsibility

New director

Transurban takes its environmental responsibilities
seriously, meeting or exceeding the regulatory
requirements that govern our activities. We have also
played a positive role in the communities we serve with
sponsorship and community development programs. In
2002 – 03, the Board and senior management identified
a need for a more structured approach to these matters.
Non-executive director Susan Oliver has been appointed
to chair our Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”)
advisory committee. This committee will make
recommendations to the Board on the integration 
of CSR programs throughout the business. 

Our people

Transurban strives to be an employer of choice,
offering a safe, rewarding workplace that empowers
individual employees within a team environment.The
company has a number of programs designed to ensure
our staff are recognised for their achievements and
share in our success. For example, over 98 per cent of
our employees hold securities in the company as a
result of the Transurban ShareLink plan. 

There have been many changes within the company as
it grows and moves into new markets. Our employees
have a record of responding positively and successfully
to new challenges. Their contribution helped ensure
the company’s success in 2002 – 03.

David Ryan joined the Board in April 2003. Mr Ryan
brings experience in commercial banking, investment
banking and operational business management to 
the Board. He is Chairman of DJL Limited, Tooth & Co
Limited and Industrial Equity Limited. He is also a
Director of ABC Learning Centres Limited and a member
of the advisory board of the Caliburn Partnership.

Conclusion

2002 – 03 was a very successful year for Transurban.
Much has been achieved since our release from single-
purpose status in December 2001 and the restructure
of the company to participate in future growth
opportunities.

On CityLink, we have also shown we can manage the
risks of new projects during construction and ramp-up
stages. Successfully managing those risks is the key
to securing the benefits available for investors once a
new road is fully operational and the asset has been
effectively re-rated by the market. 

Your Board is optimistic about the outlook and believes
security holders can look forward to growing distributions
from CityLink and carefully planned growth as suitable
opportunities arise.

Laurence G Cox AO
Chairman

Kimberley Edwards
Managing Director

12

transurban annual report 2003

BREAKING NEW GROUND

BREAKING NEW GROUND

13

... on CityLink

Maximising returns on our cornerstone asset

Traffic volumes continue to grow on Australia’s 
first fully electronic toll road, CityLink, confirming its
overwhelming acceptance by Melbourne drivers and
its value to Transurban security holders. 

CityLink is generating significant cash flows which
underpin Transurban’s distributions to investors. In
2002 – 03, toll and fee revenues reached $231.1
million (net of GST), up 11.2 per cent on the previous
year. Average daily traffic was up 6.8 per cent. A
record number of transactions for one day (725,019)
was recorded on 13 December 2002. 

The road has 610,000 account customers and attracts
two and a quarter million casual users a year. After
three full years of operation, CityLink still has major
opportunities for further growth. This is primarily due
to strong population and economic growth along the
CityLink corridor. The road continues to attract new
customers long after growth was expected to level
off, demonstrating that toll roads are a very reliable
long-term investment. 

CityLink continues to break new ground in the
development and application of new technologies
such as video tolling, the roll-out of new and expanded
customer service channels and the installation of
improved operational systems. The road provides a 
test bed for new initiatives that maintain Transurban’s
position as an international leader in electronic toll road
development and operation. Innovations developed on
CityLink help give Transurban a competitive advantage
in bidding for new toll road projects. 

Video tolling product

The best way to attract new customers and maintain
existing relationships is to continuously review and
refine the range of tolling products and services to
keep up with market needs.

A new product, ACCESS, has been developed for 
less frequent travellers. ACCESS uses video images 
of a number plate rather than an e-TAG for tolling. 
More than 850 ACCESS accounts were opened in 
a successful trial during the World Masters Games 
in October, prior to its launch on 1 July 2003. 

Video tolling uses CityLink’s existing image tolling
technology to take a picture of a car’s licence plate and
then charge a toll against a customer’s account. A
$1.20 vehicle-matching fee is charged for this service.

New payment options

Customers can now make their CityLink payments using
cash as well as credit and debit cards in over-the-counter
transactions at more than 400 newsagents across
Victoria following the roll out of a new network by
Touch, one of our channel partners. The new network
adds significantly to the number and geographic spread
of outlets that accept CityLink payment. More than
1,000 outlets now sell CityLink passes.

In April 2003 CityLink introduced Electronic Bill
Presentation and Payment facilities in partnership with
both Australia Post and BPay, allowing customers to
make payments and receive statements electronically.
This enhances customer service and further reduces
costs by eliminating the need for paper statements 
to be mailed to customers. 

14

transurban annual report 2003

Melbourne CityLink

After three years of full
operation, CityLink still
has major opportunities 
for further growth.

Customers are also taking advantage of the option 
to view statements on-line via email rather than by
post. This facility allows customers to receive free 
of charge, monthly statements, including full details 
of each CityLink trip whereas monthly statements
provided through the mail attract a charge. Improved
functionality has also been added to the website to
allow better monitoring of account details. At 30 June
2003, more than 3,200 customers had signed up to
receive statements on-line, just eight weeks after the
facility was made available.

BREAKING NEW GROUND

15

Interstate roaming

CityLink customers are taking advantage of interstate
roaming available with their e-TAG. On 5 August 2002,
interstate roaming was launched to CityLink customers
on Queensland toll roads, and on 8 December 2002
roaming was extended to Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and
Harbour Tunnel. Roaming on all other New South Wales
toll roads commenced 5 August 2003.

In the 12 months to the end of June 2003, CityLink
customers showed their support for this new service
by spending a total of $1.3 million in interstate tolls 
on their CityLink accounts.

Tunnel safety

In November 2002, CityLink completed a $2.5 million
upgrade to the safety systems that automatically
detect accidents and breakdowns in the Domain and
Burnley tunnels. The upgrade involved increasing the
number of automatic incident detection cameras in
the tunnels from 26 to 88 and installing full colour
cameras. Together with closed circuit television
cameras, these systems now give the CityLink control
room a view of every part of the 22-kilometre road.

During the year, a State Government review also
acknowledged “the very high standard of safety
achieved by CityLink and its contractors” in operating
the road. The public safety review, commissioned 
by the Government and completed in October 2002,
found that the CityLink tunnels exceed Australian and
international safety standards.

16

transurban annual report 2003

BREAKING NEW GROUND

BREAKING NEW GROUND

17

... in Sydney

Transurban established in Australia’s largest toll road market

Westlink M7

The name Westlink M7 reflects the new motorway’s
role as the “western link” in Sydney’s rapidly expanding
orbital motorway network and its importance to the
people of Western Sydney. It will be a vital link,
improving transportation and bringing people and
communities closer together in what is recognized 
as the fastest growing region in Australia. 

From 2008, Westlink M7
will begin producing
substantial revenue
streams for investors.

This 40-kilometre motorway, which links Sydney’s 
M5, M4 and M2, is expected to be completed in late
2006. It will be a catalyst for further growth in an
already expanding regional economy. Traffic forecasts
for the new road reflect the fact that more than 75
per cent of all of Sydney’s new residential growth is
within the M7 catchment area. The road also serves
over 2,000 hectares of vacant industrial land.

Transurban’s decision to seek new business opportunities
brought almost immediate results when the company
and its partners secured the right to develop and operate
Australia’s premier new toll road project, the $2.230
billion Westlink M7, in Sydney’s west. In July 2003,
WestLink Motorway Limited began construction as 
the Western Sydney Orbital.

Transurban has a 40 per cent equity stake in Westlink
M7 and holds the electronic tolling and customer
service contracts for the new road. Our equity partners
are Macquarie Infrastructure Group (40 per cent),
Leighton Holdings (10 per cent) and Abigroup Limited 
(10 per cent).

Once the new road opens and the ramp-up of traffic is
complete, Westlink M7 will begin producing substantial
revenue streams for Transurban and its investors.
Construction risks on the project for Leighton and
Abigroup are considered low, given there are no major
bridges or tunnels and no difficult geotechnical issues. 

Westlink M7 will be Sydney’s first fully electronically
tolled motorway with distance-based tolling charges.
Transurban will build on the expertise developed on
CityLink to deliver and manage the tolling and customer
service systems.

The consortium’s success in winning the project means
Transurban has arrived as a force in NSW, Australia’s
largest market for electronic toll roads. Transurban is
expanding its office in Sydney to explore further
opportunities in that market. 

18

transurban annual report 2003

Lane Cove Tunnel

Also in NSW, Transurban was part of a consortium that
submitted a competitive tender for the Lane Cove Tunnel
project. Our bid was structured to ensure added value
for our security holders but was not successful.

Westlink M7 will significantly reduce traffic congestion
and the number of heavy vehicles on local roads,
resulting in better air quality and less noise in residential
areas. Motorists will bypass up to 56 sets of traffic
lights, saving up to an hour on current journeys across
Western Sydney. It will become a major freight corridor,
linking the southeastern and northern seaboards.

Transurban looks forward to developing a close
association with the communities of Western Sydney
over the life of the 34-year concession. 

CASTLE HILL

M2 Motorway

FRENCHS
FOREST

Existing

BLACKTOWN

Westlink M7

To Penrith

M4 Motorway

Eastern
Creek

PARRAMATTA

LIVERPOOL

M5 M o t o r w a y

CAMPBELLTOWN

Westlink M7

BREAKING NEW GROUND

19

Brisbane City Council has proposed a 4.7 kilometre
tolled North-South Tunnel under the central business
district, linking Woolloongabba and Bowen Hill, and
the Federal Government is undertaking feasibility
studies for a bypass around the Queensland city 
of Toowoomba.

The number of projects planned or under consideration
along the eastern seaboard provide Transurban with
significant growth opportunities.The trend towards 
fully electronic tolling on all Australian motorways
makes Transurban an ideal participant in these projects.
However, the company will continue to apply strict
investment criteria in assessing each new 
investment opportunity.

New road projects will
be carefully assessed
before any investment
decision.

Further opportunities

A number of new opportunities are already emerging
in Sydney and along Australia’s eastern seaboard.

In 2002 the NSW Government announced its intention
to develop the M4 East motorway between the M4 
at Strathfield and the City West Link at Haberfield as 
a privately financed toll road. Presently the M4 ends at
Strathfield, forcing commuters to travel along the heavily
congested Parramatta Road to reach the Sydney central
business district. 

The Federal Government has also commissioned a
study to investigate a link between the F3 Newcastle
Freeway and the M2 and has released four route options
for public consultation. The project is expected to cost
between $1.5 and $2.2 billion. 

In Queensland opportunities are being fuelled by
economic growth and rapid population increases 
in the south east of the state. By 2016 South East
Queensland’s population is expected to reach more
than three million, and the Brisbane metropolitan area
more than two million. Consequently, there will be
increasing demand on Queensland’s transport system.

To meet this demand, the Queensland Government
has foreshadowed duplication of the Gateway Bridge,
the main thoroughfare through Brisbane linking the
Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast. The bridge carries
freight travelling to and from Brisbane Airport to the
south and the Port of Brisbane to the north. The cost
of this project has been estimated between $1.2 and
$1.6 billion. 

20

transurban annual report 2003

BREAKING NEW GROUND

BREAKING NEW GROUND

21

... in Melbourne

Bidding for Melbourne’s new toll road

Transurban pioneered full electronic tolling in Victoria
and is now bidding to develop, own and operate
Melbourne’s new toll road project, the Mitcham-
Frankston Freeway (“MFF”). The new road will be
completed by 2008 to meet the transport needs of 
1.4 million people in the southern and eastern regions
of Melbourne. 

Transurban is part of the Mitcham Frankston 
Motorway consortium (“MFM”), one of two groups
bidding for the project. The consortium consists of
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited,
Leighton Contractors Pty Limited, Abigroup Limited
and Deutsche Bank AG. Equity ownership has not yet
been finalised. 

The project comprises 40 kilometres of road, including
1.5 kilometres of tunnel. It is expected to significantly
reduce travel times, speeding the movement of
people and goods along a rapidly growing transport
corridor. The new road will join the Eastern Freeway 
at Park Road in Donvale and effectively extend the
freeway connection from the city to Ringwood via two
tunnels under the Mullum Mullum Creek. It will then
turn south, crossing Burwood Highway, Monash
Freeway and the Princes Highway before joining the
Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Carrum Downs.

In August 2003, the Victorian Government formally
invited MFM to develop a proposal for the design,
construction, lease, maintenance and operation of the
new road, including provision of a tolling system and
customer service. Transurban believes the project will
deliver significant economic, social and environmental
benefits to the community and substantial returns 
to investors. 

The consortium has put together a dedicated team to
prepare the proposal which is due to be submitted to
the State in December 2003. The State plans to select
the successful proposal in the first half of 2004 and
sign contracts so construction can begin later that year. 

With an expected cost of over $2 billion, the MFF is
the largest fully electronic toll road project currently
being tendered in Australia. Transurban is uniquely
placed to deliver the synergies offered by its ownership
and operation of CityLink to the new road. CityLink
provides Transurban with unparalleled experience in
the development and operation of tunnels, including
advanced safety and emergency evacuation systems. 

The MFF will be delivered under the State’s Partnerships
Victoria policy, which is designed to encourage the
private sector to develop innovative design, engineering
and commercial solutions over the life of the project.
Transurban’s experience on CityLink and its focus on
stakeholders, customers, and social, environmental
and economic outcomes will stand it in good stead.

As with all projects the company pursues, Transurban
will apply strict investment criteria when assessing 
its final bid for the Mitcham-Frankston Freeway.

The Mitcham-Frankston
Freeway would deliver
significant benefits to the
community and investors.

22

transurban annual report 2003

BREAKING NEW GROUND

BREAKING NEW GROUND

23

... in investment financing

CARS raises $430 million for Westlink M7

Generally convertible into Transurban securities 
at a discount of 2.5 per cent to average sale price 
over 20 days preceding conversion

Participation in any increases in Transurban’s
security price above $6.03, and

A long-term investment grade credit rating of BBB 
provided by Standard & Poor’s.

CARS have traded at a
premium in the market,
and in July 2003 were
named ‘Hybrid Debt/
Equity Issue of the Year’
by CFO magazine.

Transurban raised $430 million during the year via the
offer of Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”).
This innovative funding mechanism allowed the company
to fully finance its 40 per cent contribution to the Westlink
M7 toll road project while protecting the CityLink
distribution flows being paid to security holders. 

Transurban security holders were each entitled to one
CARS at an issue price of $100 for about every 144
securities held at 5 March 2003. A large majority of
security holders took up their entitlement – and have
benefited from their investment. CARS have traded 
at a premium in the market, and in July 2003 were 
named ‘Hybrid Debt/Equity Issue of the Year‘ by 
CFO magazine.

CARS paid their first distribution on 31 July 2003 
of $1.467, which was 100 per cent tax deferred. The
second distribution to security holders, on the record
at 30 December 2003, will be paid at the end of
January 2004.

The company was able to offer tax-deferred
distributions to CARS holders by accessing Westlink’s
tax losses in the early years. This made CARS more
attractive to investors and effectively lowered the cost
of capital from a Transurban perspective.

Other key features of CARS include:

A cumulative preferred distribution fixed at a rate
of 7 per cent a year, paid semi-annually for the
period of the First Reset Date (i.e.14 April 2007)

A substantial tax deferred component on the 
distributions, expected to be 90 per cent over 
the life of the security

■
■
■
■
■
24

transurban annual report 2003

BREAKING NEW GROUND

BREAKING NEW GROUND

25

... in corporate social responsibility

Aiming to exceed community expectations

All businesses have responsibilities to the communities
they operate in, responsibilities that go beyond legal
and regulatory requirements. People increasingly
expect companies to play an active role in the
community. This is particularly true of businesses like
Transurban which provide infrastructure and services
traditionally operated by the public sector. We are
subject to a much greater level of scrutiny than most
other businesses, and we are expected to deliver 
on social, environmental and economic objectives.

Throughout its short history, Transurban has funded 
a range of community development and environmental
support programs. In mid-2003, the company boosted
its commitment to corporate social responsibility. 
The Board endorsed the establishment of an advisory
committee to oversee development of the company’s
first comprehensive corporate social responsibility
program. The committee is chaired by a member 
of the Board. It includes independent members who
provide specialist expertise to the company across 
its environmental, social and community-related
policies and practices.

There is much work ahead to deliver our social
responsibility agenda. We are committed to undertaking
a comprehensive analysis of the impact of business
operations and developing a proactive program 
to address these. Ultimately, the company’s
sustainability initiatives will reflect the intention 
of the Transurban Board, management and staff to
position the company at the leading edge of corporate
social responsibility. Our corporate social responsibility
program will provide a framework for future business
decisions that are both sustainable and in the best
interest of shareholders. 

It will document and formalise our commitment 
to social responsibility. We will operate in a way that
exceeds the ethical, legal, environmental, commercial
and community expectations that society has of the
company. In 2002 – 03 Transurban started
documenting these practices so it can set targets for
its impact on the environment and the community,
and measure its success against these targets.

There is much work
ahead on our social
responsibility agenda.

26

transurban annual report 2003

The corporate social responsibility program will help
build Transurban’s business over time. It will
strengthen the company’s brand and corporate
reputation, making it an even more attractive partner
for governments and communities. It will contribute to
managing the full risk exposure of the company and
ensure an ongoing ‘licence to operate’. 

Managing environmental impacts

During the year in review CityLink opened its state-
of-the-art $1.4 million water treatment and recycling
plant. This investment means that 100 per cent of
water that CityLink injects into the deep water table 
around the Burnley and Domain tunnels is now recycled.
Water extracted from the drainage systems in the
tunnels is recycled and reinjected back into the water
table at five locations across the city, from Southbank
to Richmond.  

The first phase of the project, which started in
November 2002, involved construction of the treatment
facility and installation of pipes from the plant at Swan
Street to deep recharge wells at Morell Bridge, Alexandra
Avenue and Birrarung Marr. The second phase,
completed in March 2003, involved installing additional
pipe work to connect two deep recharge wells in
Southbank. Together these works have saved more
than 130 million litres of water since November 2002.

CityLink is committed to ensuring that Melbourne’s
groundwater is protected, with groundwater quality
being tested weekly to ensure compliance.

Both of Melbourne’s CityLink tunnels have returned 
a clean bill of health from their ventilation stacks. A
comprehensive EPA report in August 2002 gave the
Burnley and Domain tunnel ventilation stacks the all
clear, with no detrimental impact on local air quality.  

This is the second independent study that supports
CityLink’s own finding that the tunnel ventilation stacks
cause no negative impact on air quality. Average daily
emissions are no greater than 10 per cent of EPA
licence limits, and maximums rarely exceed 50 per
cent of licence limits.

The corporate 
social responsibility
program will help build
Transurban’s business
over time.

BREAKING NEW GROUND

27

Stack emission data is posted each day to the EPA
internet site for viewing by the general public. 

Together with Greening Australia, CityLink is 
funding 10 Melbourne state schools in a hands-on
environmental education and planting program to help
young people develop a better understanding of our
environment. Schools have planted more than 2,000
indigenous species of grasses, shrubs and trees in
their school grounds. CityLink and Greening Australia
pioneered an innovative statewide forum for teachers
to develop environmental curriculum activities and
materials, as well as an award for the best environment
teacher in the state.

Playing our part in communities

Transurban continued to support a broad range of arts,
professional and community organisations in 2002 – 03
through a sponsorship program, in line with the
company’s commitment to being a strong community
partner. A few of the programs and events Transurban
supported during the year include the Sydney Festival,
the Melbourne International Film Festival, the CityLink
Schools Support Program and the Moonee Ponds
Creek Public Art Strategy.

Monitoring air quality adjacent to the Domain Tunnel vent stack.

28

transurban annual report 2003

BREAKING NEW GROUND

from top left to right Laurence G Cox, Kim Edwards, Geoffrey R Phillips, Susan M Oliver
from bottom left to right Professor Jeremy G A Davis, David Ryan, Peter C Byers, Geoff O Cosgriff

BREAKING NEW GROUND
BREAKING NEW GROUND

29
29

... in corporate governance

Transurban is strongly committed to high standards 
of corporate governance. Many of the requirements 
of the “Principles and Best Practice Recommendations”,
published by the Corporate Governance Council of 
the Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”) in March 2003,
have been part of Transurban’s corporate governance
practices for some time. As a result, the work required
to achieve full compliance with the “Principles and
Best Practice Recommendations” will mainly involve
updating existing policies and enhancing disclosure by
creating a “Corporate Governance” section of the
corporate website at www.transurban.com.au. 

In the following paragraphs, Transurban’s corporate
governance practices are described by reference to
the “Principles and Best Practice Recommendations”.
This form of reporting will become mandatory under
the ASX Listing Rules for the 2003 – 04 year.

This corporate governance statement is formulated 
on a collective basis and applies to all entities comprising
the Transurban Group as described on page 41.
References to the “Board” is a reference to the Board
of each relevant entity unless otherwise stated.

Principle 1 – Lay solid foundations for
management and oversight

Recommendation 1.1: Formalise and disclose the
functions reserved to the Board and those delegated
to management.

Previous disclosures have set out the following principles
of delineation of responsibilities between the Board
and executive management:

The Board of Directors, together with the entity’s
management, has the responsibility to plan and
run the entity for the benefit of security holders.
The Board is accountable to security holders for
the performance of the entity.

The Board has delegated responsibility for operation
and administration of the entity to the managing
director and executive management. A key function
of the Board is to monitor the performance of the
managing director and management in discharging
this responsibility.

The Board has retained responsibility for formulation
of corporate strategy, remuneration and succession
planning for directors and senior management and
the integrity of the internal control and management
information systems.

These principles will form the basis of a Board Charter,
which will be published on the Transurban website.

■
■
■
30
30

transurban annual report 2003
transurban annual report 2003

Principle 2 – Structure the Board 
to add value

Recommendation 2.1: A majority of the Board 
should be independent directors. 

At the date of this report, the composition of the
Boards of the entities comprising the Group was:

Non-
executive
directors

Other
Managing executive 
Directors(2)
directors

Transurban 
Holdings 
Limited
Transurban 
Infrastructure 
Management 
Limited(1)
Transurban 
Infrastructure 
Developments 
Limited

6

6

6

1

-

1

1

1

1

(1) Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited is
the Responsible Entity of the Transurban Holding
Trust, the Transurban CARS Trust and the City Link
Trust.

(2) The Managing Director is the chief executive officer

of the relevant entity.

Information on each director is set out on pages 46
and 47.

The Board has determined that all non-executive
directors are independent directors.

In considering the independence of each director, the
Board considers whether his or her security holding in
the Group, relationships with security holders, suppliers
and competitors and tenure as a director of the Group
would materially affect the director’s ability to exercise
unfettered and independent judgement in the interests
of the Group’s security holders.

Mr Cox is a non-executive director of Macquarie Bank
Limited (“MBL”). MBL has given notice of a substantial
holding of the Group’s stapled securities of 10.73 per
cent. This holding comprises:

10.61 per cent held by subsidiaries of MBL in 
their capacities as the responsible entities of the
trusts which comprise Macquarie Infrastructure
Group (“MIG”) and the custodians of the assets 
of MIG; and

0.12 per cent held by the investment management
subsidiary of MBL on behalf of investment funds
managed by the subsidiary.

Although MBL is technically required to notify its
substantial holding, the interests of MBL’s subsidiaries 
in the Group’s stapled securities (which trigger the
technical requirement) must be managed for the
benefit of parties other than MBL (i.e. the security
holders of MIG and the ultimate beneficiaries of the
investment funds). Moreover, the MBL group has only
a nominal interest in MIG stapled securities.

■
■
BREAKING NEW GROUND
BREAKING NEW GROUND

31
31

Hence it is considered that Mr Cox’s relationship with
MBL does not have a material effect on his ability to
exercise unfettered and independent judgement in the
interests of the Group’s security holders.

Over the past three years, the Group has paid MBL
the following amounts:

to directors at the relevant entity’s expense. Prior to
seeking such advice, directors are required to consult
with, and obtain the approval of, the chairman. The
director must consult a suitably qualified adviser in 
the relevant field and inform the chairman of the fee
payable for the advice. A copy of the advice obtained
must be provided to the relevant Board.

2000-01
$mill.

2001-02
$mill.

2002-03
$mill. 

Recommendation 2.2: The chairperson should be 
an independent director.

Advisory fees
Interest

1.02
nil

6.82
1.57

8.57
2.86

The chairman is an independent director (see
discussion under Recommendation 2.1 above).

MBL has advised that each of these amounts represents
less than 1 per cent of the total receipts of MBL in the
relevant category in each period. As a result, the Board
considers that these payments would not materially
affect Mr Cox’s ability to exercise unfettered and
independent judgement in the interests of the Group’s
security holders.

Recommendation 2.3: The roles of chairperson and
chief executive officer should not be exercised by the
same individual.

The roles of chairman and chief executive officer have
been separate since the original formation of
Transurban.

In appointing new directors, the Board specifies the mix
of qualifications, skills and experience it considers
desirable and selects individuals who bring the
characteristics required to achieve this mix. Once
appointed, directors are required to seek the approval of
the chairman prior to accepting any other directorships.

A procedure has been implemented whereby
independent external professional advice is available 

Recommendation 2.4: The Board should establish 
a nomination committee.

A Nomination and Remuneration committee was
established at the original formation of Transurban.
Following the formation of the Group, each entity 
has established a Nomination and Remuneration
Committee. As membership of each committee 
is common, the committees meet jointly. However,

32

transurban annual report 2003

the members of the committee are conscious of the
separate responsibilities of the respective committees
and matters not affecting all entities are separately
considered and minuted.

The names of members of the Nomination and
Remuneration committees and their attendance 
at meetings of the committees in 2002 – 03 are 
set out on page 48.

The Nomination and Remuneration committee
recommends criteria for Board membership and
appointments, screens candidates for Board membership
and reviews remuneration and benefit policies and
practices for directors and senior management.

The charter of the Nomination and Remuneration
committee is presently being updated to ensure
compliance with the requirements of the “Principles
and Best Practice Recommendations”. A summary 
of the updated charter will be included on the
Transurban website. 

Principle 3 – Promote ethical and
responsible decision-making

Recommendation 3.1: Establish a code of conduct 
to guide the directors, the chief executive officer (or
equivalent), the chief financial officer (or equivalent)
and any other key executives as to: 

1. the practices necessary to maintain confidence 

in the company’s integrity; and

2. the responsibility and accountability of individuals

for reporting and investigating reports of
unethical practices.

A Code of Conduct for directors was adopted at the
original formation of Transurban. The code covers:

Expectations with regard to ethical conduct generally;

Notification of dealing in the stapled securities 
of the Group;

Procedures to be adopted in respect of potential
conflicts of interest; and

Procedures for prior approval of contracts 
with directors.

This code is complemented by a Code of Conduct for
employees. It is proposed to integrate the two codes into
a single code covering both directors and employees,
meeting the requirements of the “Principles and Best
Practice Recommendations”.

The revised Code of Conduct will be published on 
the Transurban website.

■
■
■
■
BREAKING NEW GROUND

33

Recommendation 3.2: Disclose the policy concerning
trading in company securities by directors, officers 
and employees.

The Group has in place a policy governing the purchase
and sale of Transurban stapled securities, which
complies with the requirements of the “Principles 
and Best Practice Recommendations”.The policy 
is being reviewed and updated. Except for the
provision restricting trading to periods immediately
following release of the Group’s financial results, the
policy also applies to the purchase and sale of CARS.
The restriction of trading is presently considered
unnecessary in the case of CARS because CARS 
are essentially fixed interest securities.

This updated policy will be published on the
Transurban website.

Principle 4 – Safeguard integrity 
in financial reporting

Recommendation 4.1: Require the chief executive
officer (or equivalent) and the chief financial officer 
(or equivalent) to state in writing to the Board that 
the company’s financial reports present a true and 
fair view, in all material respects, of the company’s
financial condition and operational results and are 
in accordance with relevant accounting standards. 

The Board has adopted policies which require the
managing director and the finance director to state 
in writing to the Board that that the entity’s financial
reports present a true and fair view, in all material
respects, of the entity’s financial condition and
operational results and are in accordance with
relevant accounting standards.

Recommendation 4.2: The Board should establish 
an audit committee.

An audit committee was established at the original
formation of Transurban. Following the formation of the
Group, each entity has established an audit committee.
As membership of each committee is common, the
committees meet jointly. However, the members of the
committee are conscious of the separate responsibilities
of the respective committees and matters not affecting
all entities are separately considered and minuted.

The audit committee assists the Board in fulfilling 
its responsibilities related to the financial risks of the
entity and to the accounting and reporting practices 
of the entity. The committee monitors internal and
external audit activities and reviews the independence
and performance of, and the fees paid to, the 
external auditors.

Recommendation 4.3: Structure the audit committee
so that it consists of:

Only non-executive directors

A majority of independent directors

An independent chairperson, who is not
chairperson of the Board

At least three members.

The audit committee is comprised of three non-executive
directors. All the members of the committee are
independent directors. The chairman of the Board 
is not chairman of the committee. 

■
■
■
■
34

transurban annual report 2003

The names of members of the audit committees and
their attendance at meetings of the committees in
2002 – 03 are set out on page 48.

The policy reflects the Group’s commitment to the timely
disclosure of all material information required to be
notified to the ASX under the Listing Rules without
preferential access to any individual or group.

Recommendation 4.4: The audit committee should
have a formal charter.

The control framework includes:

The Board has approved a Charter, which sets out 
the audit committee’s roles and responsibilities,
composition, structure and membership requirements.
The Charter is presently being updated to ensure
compliance with the requirements of the “Principles
and Best Practice Recommendations”. The updated
Charter will include the procedures for the selection
and appointment of the external auditor and for the
rotation of external audit engagement partners.

A summary of the updated Charter will be published
on the Transurban website.

Principle 5 – Make timely and 
balanced disclosures

Recommendation 5.1: Establish written policies 
and procedures designed to ensure compliance with
ASX Listing Rule disclosure requirements and to
ensure accountability at a senior management 
level for that compliance.

The Board and management have respectively
established a policy and an internal control framework
for the purpose of ensuring that the Group meets 
its continuous disclosure obligations of identifying 
and disclosing material and price sensitive information
in accordance with the Corporations Act and ASX
Listing Rules.

The nomination of the Company Secretary and 
the General Counsel as officers responsible to 
the ASX for continuous disclosure matters
(“Responsible Officers”);

Provision of advice by executives to the Responsible
Officers at the earliest possible time of matters or
events which require or may require disclosure;

The identification of any matters which require or
may require disclosure being a standing agenda
item at management and Board meetings;

The provision by the Responsible Officers of advice
to senior executives and the managing director in
connection with continuous disclosure obligations;

Reporting by the managing director at Board
meetings on all aspects of compliance and risk
management which have been brought to his
attention and of which the Board needs to 
be apprised;

The procedures to be followed in connection with
discussions with individual investors and analysts; and

Provision of education to executives in respect 
of the Group’s continuous disclosure obligations
and their role in ensuring compliance with 
these obligations.

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
BREAKING NEW GROUND

35

The policy and control framework is presently being
updated to ensure compliance with the requirements
of the “Principles and Best Practice Recommendations”.

A summary of the updated policy will be published 
on the Transurban website.

Principle 6 – Respect the rights 
of shareholders

Recommendation 6.1: Design and disclose a
communications strategy to promote effective
communication with shareholders and encourage
effective participation at general meetings.

The key elements of the Group’s strategy to
communicate effectively with security holders are:

All ASX announcements and media releases are
published on the Group’s website;

All materials used in briefings of analysts or
investors are released to the ASX and published 
on the Group’s website; and

The holding of briefings for security holders unable
to travel to the annual general meeting, e.g. in
2002, a briefing was held in Sydney for security
holders unable to travel to Melbourne to attend 
the annual general meeting.

This strategy will be published on the Transurban website.

Recommendation 6.2: Request the external auditor to
attend the annual general meeting and be available to
answer shareholder questions about the conduct of
the audit and the preparation and content of the
auditor’s report.

Transurban’s external auditor is, as a matter of practice,
invited to attend all annual general meetings to be
available to answer any security holder questions
regarding the conduct of the audit and the preparation
and content of the auditor’s report.

Principle 7 – Recognise and manage risk

Recommendation 7.1: The Board or appropriate Board
committee should establish policies on risk oversight
and management.

The Board has established a comprehensive risk
management framework for the purpose of
safeguarding the assets of the Group.

The primary business risks faced by the Group are:

The risks assumed by Transurban Holdings Limited
and Transurban Holding Trust (“Holdings entities”)
under the Melbourne City Link Concession Deed
(“Concession Deed risks”);

The risks assumed by the Holdings entities as a
result of the acquisition of new assets (“new asset
risks”). These risks largely relate to the operation 
of such assets and in many cases will be similar 
in nature to the Concession Deed risks to which
the Holdings entities are exposed (see above);

■
■
■
■
■
36

transurban annual report 2003

The risks to which Transurban Infrastructure
Developments Limited is exposed as a result 
of its activities in the areas of business development,
project development and technology application
(“development risks”); and

The risks arising from non-compliance with statutory
and contractual obligations (“compliance risks”).
Each of the entities is exposed to risks of this type.

The exposure of Transurban Infrastructure Developments
Limited to development risks is managed by a structured
process for evaluation of investment opportunities.

Comprehensive systems of management and 
financial accounting and internal control have also
been established. The integrity of these systems 
is assured through regular reviews by the internal 
and external auditors.

Concession Deed and compliance risks are managed
by a process involving:

During the year, the risk management and compliance
framework was further strengthened by:

Identification of risks and the development of
strategies to mitigate and manage such risks;

Allocation of the responsibility for monitoring and
managing each identified risk to an individual
executive; and

■ Monthly reporting by executives on the discharge

of their risk management responsibilities.

The exposures of the Holdings entities to new asset
and development risks are managed by investment
committees established by Transurban Holdings
Limited and Transurban Infrastructure Management
Limited (the Responsible Entity of the Transurban
Holding Trust). The investment committees consist 
of the non-executive directors of the relevant entity,
advised by an independent person qualified in investment
valuation. The purpose of the investment committees
is to evaluate investment proposals presented by
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited for
compliance with the investment criteria established 
by the Boards of the relevant entities.

The establishment by each entity of a Board
committee responsible for risk management and
compliance. As membership of each committee 
is common, the committees meet jointly, however
the members of the committee are conscious 
of the separate responsibilities of the respective
committees and matters not affecting all entities
are separately considered and minuted. The names
of members of the Risk and Compliance committees
and their attendance at meetings of the committees
in 2002 – 03 are set out on page 48.

The establishment of an internal audit function.

A summary description of the Group’s risk management
policy and internal compliance and control systems
will be published on the Transurban website.

■
■
■
■
■
■
BREAKING NEW GROUND

37

Principle 8 – Encourage enhanced
performance

Recommendation 8.1: Disclose the process for
performance evaluation of the Board, its committees
and individual directors, and key executives. 

Each year, the Board conducts a formal review of its
effectiveness. In addition, the chairman conducts a
formal review each year of the performance of each
director. For 2003 – 04, these processes will be
expanded to include performance evaluations 
of the committees of the Board.

The Board also conducts a formal review each year,
which assesses the performance of the managing
director and those executives reporting directly to him.

A summary description of these performance evaluation
processes will be published on the Transurban website.

Recommendation 7.2: The chief executive officer 
(or equivalent) and the chief financial officer (or
equivalent) should state to the Board in writing that:

1. the statement given in accordance with best
practice recommendation 4.1 (the integrity of
financial statements) is founded on a sound
system of risk management and internal
compliance and control which implements 
the policies adopted by the Board; and

2. the company’s risk management and internal
compliance and control system is operating
efficiently and effectively in all material respects.

The representations given by management pursuant 
to Recommendation 4.1 are underpinned by a system
of sign-offs by various levels of management throughout
the business on the existence and effectiveness of 
the entity’s internal controls. During the year, the
Group established an internal audit function, which
has been outsourced to an external service provider.
The internal audit plan is approved by the audit
committee and all findings of internal audit reviews 
and follow up by management are reported directly 
to the audit committee.

Future representations made by management pursuant
to Recommendation 4.1 will be modified to meet the
requirements of Recommendation 7.2.

38

transurban annual report 2003

Principle 9 – Remunerate fairly 
and responsibly

Recommendation 9.1: Provide disclosure in relation 
to the company’s remuneration policies to enable
investors to understand (i) the costs and benefits 
of those policies and (ii) the link between remuneration
paid to directors and key executives 
and corporate performance.

Directors’ fees

Under the constitutions of the entities comprising the
Group, the aggregate of the total remuneration paid in
a year to non-executive directors by individual entities
may not exceed $950,000. The aggregate amount
paid in the 2002 – 03 year was $653,966.

Aggregate annual directors’ fees at the date of this
report are:

Chairman:

Non-executive director entitled 
to retirement benefits:

Non-executive director not entitled 
to retirement benefits:

$256,000

$ 90,000

$110,000

With effect from 1 January 2003, the following annual
fees are payable for attendance at committee meetings:

Audit Committee

Other Committees

Chairman
Member

$15,000
$8,000

$8,000
$4,000

Liability for the Superannuation Guarantee Contribution
is met from the above fees.

Non-Executive directors’ retirement benefits

In 1997, the Board implemented a policy on non-
executive directors’ retirement allowances. The policy
provides for an entitlement to a lump sum payment
(not exceeding the maximum allowable under the
Corporations Act 2001) if the non-executive director
has completed a minimum of three years’ service. 
The lump sum is equivalent to the total emoluments
received during the Relevant Period. The Relevant
Period is one-third of the director’s total period of
service or three years (both calculated to the day 
of retirement), whichever is the lesser.

This policy was reviewed during the year and it was
resolved to continue the policy for directors having
present entitlements under the policy, but not to
extend the policy to new appointments. Non-executive
directors not entitled to retirement benefits receive 
an additional director’s fee. At present, this additional
annual fee is $20,000 (see above). Pursuant to this
decision, Mr Ryan, who was appointed on 29 April
2003, is not entitled to retirement benefits.

Executive remuneration

Executives are remunerated through a combination 
of a base salary, short-term incentives (“STI”) in the
form of cash bonuses and long-term incentives (“LTI”)
provided by the Executive Option Plan. The appropriate
amount for each component is established by reference
to remuneration survey data for comparable companies.
In the case of senior executives reporting to the
Managing Director, the amounts are subject to approval
by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

BREAKING NEW GROUND

39

STI amounts are expressed as a percentage of base
salary, but are also subject to further adjustment using
Economic Value Added (“EVA”) methodology for the
variance between a target EVA and the EVA actually
achieved. The purpose of the EVA adjustment is to
ensure that STI payments reflect management’s
performance in adding security holder value.

Details of the Executive Option Plan are provided 
on page 74.

Details of executive remuneration payments are
provided on page 50 and page 72.

A statement summarising the Group’s remuneration
policies will be published on the Transurban website.    

The issue of 2,000,000 options to the executive directors
under the Executive Option Plan (“EOP”) was approved 
at general meetings of the Group entities held on 
29 November 2001. The approved terms of the EOP
were identical to those under which 4,350,000 options
were issued to senior executives in April 2001. Under the
terms of the EOP, one-third of these options (excluding
those lapsed as a result of resignation of participants)
vested on 28 April 2003. Pursuant to the Exercise
Condition of the EOP, 95.7 per cent of the vested
options are exercisable. At the date of this report, 
no options had been exercised.

Between February and May 2002, a further 2,350,000
options were issued to executives under the EOP.
None of these options have vested.

Recommendation 9.2: The Board should establish 
a remuneration committee.

Details of the Executive Option Plan are provided on
page 74.

See response on Recommendations 2.4 and 9.1 above.

Recommendation 9.3: Clearly distinguish the structure
of non-executive directors remuneration from that of
executive directors.

The remuneration of non-executive directors consists
entirely of directors’ fees, committee fees and (subject
to eligibility) retirement benefits, as described above
in the response to Recommendation 9.1.

Recommendation 9.4: Ensure that payment of equity-
based executive remuneration is made in accordance
with thresholds set in plans approved by shareholders.

Principle 10 – Recognise the legitimate
interests of stakeholders

Recommendation 10.1: Establish and disclose a code
of conduct to guide compliance with legal and other
obligations to legitimate stakeholders.

As indicated earlier in this statement, the Group’s
Code of Conduct is currently being updated to 
comply with the “Principles and Best Practice
Recommendations”.

The Group is also developing a policy in respect of
corporate social responsibility. When finalised, this
policy will be published on the Transurban website.

40

transurban annual report 2003

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

41

the transurban group financial report consisting of the aggregate financial statements of
transurban holdings limited and controlled entities (ABN 86 098 143 429) and 
transurban holding trust and controlled entities (ABN 30 169 362 255) and 
transurban infrastructure developments limited and controlled entities (ABN 96 098 143 410) 

for the year ended 30 june 2003

Directors’ report

Statement of financial performance

Statement of financial position

Statement of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

Directors’ declaration

Independent audit report to the members

Shareholder information

42

53

54

55

56

84

85

86

The Transurban group consists of Transurban Holdings Limited, Transurban
Holding Trust and Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited and 
their controlled entities as described in Note 1 to the Financial Statements.

The equity securities of the parent entities are stapled and cannot be
traded separately.

All entities within the group are domiciled in Australia. The Group’s
registered office and principal place of business is:

Level 43 Rialto South Tower
525 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 

Through the use of the internet, we have ensured that our corporate
reporting is timely, complete, and available globally. All press releases,
financial reports and other information are available on our website:
www.transurban.com.au 

42

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Directors’ report

The directors of Transurban Infrastructure Developments
Limited, Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited 
and Transurban Holdings Limited present their report on 
the Transurban Group Accounts for the year ended 
30 June 2003. 

Group accounts

These Group Accounts have been prepared as an
aggregation of the financial statements of Transurban
Holdings Limited and controlled entities (“THL”), Transurban
Holding Trust and controlled entities (“THT”), and
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited and
controlled entities (“TIDL”) as if all entities operate together.
They are therefore treated as a combined entity (“the
combined entity”), notwithstanding that none of the entities
controls any of the others. 

The financial statements have been aggregated in
recognition of the fact that the securities issued by THL,
THT and TIDL are stapled into parcels (“Stapled Securities”),
comprising one share in THL, one share in TIDL and one unit
in THT. None of the components of the Stapled Security can
be traded separately.

Directors – Transurban Holdings Limited

The following persons were directors of Transurban
Holdings Limited during the whole of the financial year 
and up to the date of this report:

Executive Directors
Kimberley Edwards
Geoffrey R Phillips

Non-executive Directors
Laurence G Cox
Peter C Byers
Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Jeremy G A Davis
Susan M Oliver

David J Ryan was appointed a non-executive director 
on 29 April 2003 and continues in office at the date 
of this report.

Directors – Transurban Infrastructure 
Developments Limited

The following persons were directors of Transurban
Infrastructure Developments Limited during the whole 
of the financial year and up to the date of this report:

Executive Directors
Kimberley Edwards
Geoffrey R Phillips

Non-executive Directors
Laurence G Cox
Peter C Byers
Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Jeremy G A Davis
Susan M Oliver

David J Ryan was appointed a non-executive director 
on 29 April 2003 and continues in office at the date 
of this report. 

Directors – Transurban Infrastructure 
Management Limited

The following persons were directors of Transurban
Infrastructure Management Limited during the whole 
of the financial year and up to the date of this report:

Executive Directors
Geoffrey R Phillips

Non-executive Directors
Laurence G Cox
Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Jeremy G A Davis

David J Ryan, Susan M Oliver and Peter C Byers were
appointed as non-executive directors on 29 April 2003, 
and continue in office at the date of this report.

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

43

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Principal activities 

During the year the principal continuing activities of the
group were:

(a) Operation of the Melbourne City Link (“CityLink”);

(b) Tendering for participation in other toll road and
transport infrastructure concessions; and,

(c) Development of electronic tolling and other intelligent
transport systems for implementation in both the
domestic and international markets.

As a result of the group’s participation in the WestLink M7
Motorway project (see Review of Operations below), from
14 February 2003, the principal activities of the group
included the following additional activities related to the
WestLink M7 Motorway:

(d) participation in the direction of the entities directly

responsible for development of the project;

(e) provision of the tolling system; and

(f) preparation for the operation of the tolling and customer

management system.

Results

The result of operations for the financial year ended 
30 June 2003 was an operating loss of $83.6 million 
(2002: $67.2 million). 

Distributions

During the year, Transurban introduced a Distribution
Reinvestment Plan (“DRP”) which entitled security holders
to receive additional Stapled Securities in substitution for
some or all cash distributions in respect of their Stapled
Securities. Stapled Securities issued pursuant to the DRP
were subject to a discount to market price of 2.5 per cent
and were free of all brokerage, commission or other
transaction costs, stamp duty or other duties. 

Distributions made during the period consisted of:

Final distribution for 2002 financial 
year of 3.0 cents per Stapled  
Security paid 8 October 2002. 

Interim distribution for 2003 
financial year of 10.0 cents 
(2002 – 2.25 cents) per Stapled 
Security paid 26 March 2003. 

Total distributions paid  

2003 

$’000 

2002

$’000

15,300

-

51,163

66,463

11,475   

11,475   

Distributions paid in cash or satisfied by the issue of
Stapled Securities under the distribution reinvestment
plan during the year ended 30 June 2003 and the period
ended 30 June 2002 were as follows:   

Paid in cash 

2003 

$’000 

2002

$’000

32,409

11,475  

Satisfied by issue of Stapled Securities 34,054

-   

66,463

11,475  

In addition to the above distributions, since the end of the
financial year the directors’ have resolved to pay a final
distribution of $51.8 million (10 cents per Stapled Security)
to be paid on 8 October 2003. The record date for eligibility
to receive the distribution is 24 September 2003.

Review of operations

(a) CityLink traffic
Transaction volume for the year ended 30 June 2003 was
205.3 million (excluding motorcycle images), representing 
a 6.6 per cent increase on the prior year. Excluding the
effect of Melbourne Cup Day, for which tolls were charged
in 2001, but which was free in 2002, transaction growth
was 6.8 per cent. Growth was strong in the first half of the
year at 7.7 per cent moderating over the second half of the
year to 5.8 per cent. The light commercial vehicle class
experienced the strongest transaction growth at 9.4 per
cent with heavy commercial vehicle transactions growing 
at 7.7 per cent and car transactions at 6.2 per cent. 

The growth in transaction volumes combined with the toll
escalation as provided for in the Concession Deed resulted
in toll and fee revenue (net of GST) of $231.1 million, an
increase of 10.7 per cent over the previous year.

(b) CityLink customer service
Continuing the favourable trend of previous years, further
reductions of $4.3 million were achieved in customer
service costs. The reductions were achieved in an
environment of increased transaction volume and continued
growth in customer accounts and e-TAG’s on issue. At year
end, there were 609,471 accounts and 879,596 e-TAGs
with customers, representing rises of 10% and 11%
respectively, on the previous year. 

44

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Cost reductions have resulted from planned initiatives that
included:

Contract renegotiations on unit pricing for call handling
and agency arrangements for account payments and
CityLink pass sales. 

Shift in customer contact to lower cost channels, such
as the internet.

Improved systems integration, coupled with work
process improvements to provide productivity gains.

The cost reductions were achieved while maintaining
customer service standards. Additional costs were incurred
as a result of replacing warning notices for first time
offences with a $40 fine. This resulted in additional
customer contacts and associated costs, although it was
offset by an increase in administration fees on paid fines.

Customer service costs are now at a stable level with all 
of the major cost reduction initiatives implemented. Future
operational improvements will be aimed at mitigating
transaction volume and CPI impacts.

(c) Infrastructure Group operations
A number of construction defects remain outstanding with
the Transfield Obayashi Joint Venture (“TOJV”). CityLink is
managing the rectification of these defects while negotiating
with the TOJV a financial settlement of this issue. CityLink
has been joined in legal action by VicRoads against the 
TOJV in relation to alleged construction-related damage to
the Swan Street Bridge.

CityLink has established comprehensive systems for the
management of groundwater following the hand-over of
responsibilities for this activity from the TOJV. Other
responsibilities assumed by CityLink during the year included
the management and support of traffic and tunnel
management systems.

As a result of these additional responsibilities, Infrastructure
Group costs were $3.2 million higher than in the prior
corresponding period. It is expected that the level of
Infrastructure Group costs in real terms in future years 
will be similar to the level incurred in FY03. 

(d) Business development
During the year, Transurban Infrastructure Developments
Limited has focused its activities on opportunities for the
group, in both the domestic and international markets,
based on leveraging the knowledge and experience gained
through the delivery of CityLink. Opportunities pursued
during the period included:

(i) Westlink M7

Financial Close of the Westlink M7 Motorway project, 
in which the Group is a 40 per cent participant, was
achieved on 14 February 2002. In addition to being an
equity participant in the project, the Group (through
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited) 
will provide the electronic tolling system under a 
sub-contract to the project’s main contractors and will
operate the tolling and customer management systems
during the operating phase. These outcomes represent
major achievements for the Group and provide early
vindication of the strategy to restructure the Group to
leverage the knowledge and experience gained through
the delivery of CityLink for the benefit of security holders.

Wholly owned entities of the Group have granted to and
have been granted by each of Leighton and Abigroup put
and call options over 25 per cent of the interest in the
project held by each of those parties. These put and call
options are each exercisable by either party at
completion of the project at a price of $24.255 million.
Macquarie Infrastructure Group has granted and has
been granted put and call options on substantially the
same terms.

(ii) Mitcham – Frankston Freeway Project

Following the decision by the State of Victoria to
develop the proposed Mitcham – Frankston Freeway
(“MFF”) as a privately-financed toll road, Transurban
Infrastructure Developments Limited joined with
Leighton Contractors, Abigroup and Deutsche Bank 
to form the MFM consortium. In June 2003, the
consortium responded to the State’s invitation to submit
Expressions of Interest. One other Expression of Interest
was submitted. The formal Request for Proposals is
expected to be issued shortly, requiring proposals to 
be submitted in early 2004.

(iii) Lane Cove Tunnel

The proposal of The Lane Cove Expressway Consortium,
in which the Group is a participant, was not short-listed
by the RTA. 

(iv) Overseas opportunities

In Europe, the Group is in discussion with major road
concession and construction companies regarding
potential global relationships. In the United States, the
Group is working with a number of state road authorities
interested in electronic billing and customer service
systems. Longer term opportunities may also exist in
relation to public/private sector partnerships.

The nature of the overseas opportunities presently being
pursued is such that any capital commitment made by
the Group is likely to take the form of seed capital which

■
■
■
Transurban Group Accounts 2003

45

06

Transurban Group Accounts 2002

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

can be funded from the Group’s existing credit facilities.
Should Transurban identify investment opportunities that
require the provision of longer-term equity it will investigate
raising the capital in a fund in the region of the asset. It is
intended that Transurban would manage this fund.

Business Development costs of $11.1 million were expensed
during FY03. A further $7.5 million, principally relating to the
Westlink M7 and MFF projects, was capitalised in
accordance with the Group’s accounting policy relating to
costs incurred in relation to successful proposals and those
for which an outcome has not been determined.

(e) Income tax
Transurban has advice from Senior Counsel that the
concession fees are immediately deductible expenditure.
The Group Accounts have been prepared on this basis.
Deductions in respect of concession fees account for
$700.5 million of the Group’s carried forward taxable loss 
of $1,112.8 million at 30 June 2003.

The Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) and Transurban have
been unable to agree on the treatment to be applied to
concession fees and as a consequence the ATO issued an
assessment in respect of CityLink Melbourne’s income tax
return for the year ended 30 June 1998.

Transurban appealed against the ATO’s decision to disallow
its objection to the assessment. The appeal was heard in
the Federal Court on 3 October 2002. Justice Merkel has
deferred judgement.

If the ATO’s position on deductibility of the Concession
Notes is confirmed, the after tax internal rate of return for
an investor subject to the corporate tax rate will be reduced
to approximately 85 per cent of the return which would
have been achieved if the Concession Fees were
immediately deductible. 

Significant changes in the state of affairs

(a) Westlink M7
As described above (see Review of Operations), on 
14 February 2003, the Group became a 40 per cent 
equity participant in the WestLink M7 Motorway project
and entered into contracts to supply the electronic tolling
system and to operate the tolling and customer
management systems.

(b) Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)
During the year Transurban CARS Trust, (wholly owned
subsidiary of Transurban Holding Trust), raised $430 million
through the issue of new securities called Convertible
Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”) to fund the Group’s
contribution to the Westlink M7 Project.

The securities which were issued on 14 April 2003 at an
issue price of $100 per security, offer holders a cumulative
preferred distribution fixed at the rate of 7.0 per cent per
annum, paid semi-annually for the period to the first reset
date (14 April 2007). The distributions have a substantial
tax deferred component (expected to be 90 per cent) and
will generally convert into Transurban securities at a 2.5 
per cent discount.

The CARS issue was fully underwritten by the Joint Lead
Managers and Underwriters Macquarie Equity Capital
Markets Limited and Salomon Smith Barney Australia
Securities Pty Limited.

Transurban Holding Trust acts as guarantor for Transurban
CARS Trust in relation to the interest payments to holders
of CARS. The term of this guarantee is until the first reset
date, 14 April 2007, at which time the guarantee may or
may not be extended. 

(c) Refinancing
Documentation of the refinancing of Transurban’s debt was
completed on 28 June 2002. Draw down of new facilities
was completed in August 2002. The refinancing involved the
repayment of the group’s existing borrowings (consisting of
a $927 million syndicated bank facility, a $350 million CPI
Bond facility and a $200 million Mezzanine Note facility) with
a $510 million syndicated bank facility and $1,190 million of
bonds issued in the debt capital markets. 

The new facilities have maturities of 3, 5 and 7 years and
require no principal repayments prior to maturity. 

The average margin payable on the $1,700 million of
refinanced debt is 53 basis points. The corresponding base
rate is 5.93 per cent per annum, of which 95 per cent is
presently fixed for three years, resulting in an overall interest
cost on the refinanced debt of 6.46 per cent per annum. 

Immediate benefits realised from the refinancing have been
a reduction in aggregate debt service costs for the year of
$75 million. These benefits relate to reduced interest costs
and the elimination of amortisation payments and transfers
to debt service reserves. 

(d) CityLink water treatment and recycling plant
The CityLink water treatment and recycling plant
commenced operation in November 2002. The plant
removes the contaminants from the groundwater which
infiltrates the Domain and Burnley tunnels, allowing it to be
used in place of drinking water for pressure maintenance in
the aquifers surrounding the tunnels.

46

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

(e) Other changes
In the opinion of the Directors there were no other
significant changes in the state of affairs of the Group 
that occurred during the financial year under review.

Matters subsequent to the end of the financial year

At the date of this report, the directors are not aware of 
any circumstances that have arisen since 30 June 2003 
that have significantly affected or may significantly affect 
the operations, and results of those operations or the state
of affairs, of the Group in financial years subsequent to 
30 June 2003. 

Likely developments and expected results 
of operations

Information on likely developments in the operations of the
Group and the expected results of operations have not been
included in this report because the directors believe it would
be likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the Group.

Environmental regulation

Transurban Group must ensure it complies with EPA
regulations. To meet this obligation, Transurban Group has
contracted several specialist organisations to monitor
emissions of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and
particulate matter from the Domain and Burnley Tunnel
ventilation stacks. Ambient air quality in the vicinity of 
the ventilation stacks is also monitored. The monitoring
organisations are certified by the National Association 
of Testing Authorities.

The monitoring contracts are administered  by the CityLink
operator, Translink Operations Pty Ltd (“TLO”). The detailed
monitoring requirements are contained in the Waste
Discharge Licence for the tunnels (EPA Licence EA41502)
which has been issued to TLO. Current monitoring indicates
emission levels from the stacks are well below the EPA
licence limits, and that there has been an improvement 
in ambient air quality since the tunnels opened.

CityLink also operates a Groundwater Recharge system 
to maintain the water table around the CityLink tunnels.
Groundwater quality is tested weekly to ensure that
compliance with EPA requirements is achieved. Current
monitoring indicates that the quality of groundwater around
the tunnels is within the requirements set by the EPA.

Information on directors

Laurence G Cox AO, B Com, FCPA, FSIA – 
Non-Executive Chairman
Mr Laurie Cox has had many years’ experience in Australian
and international financial markets. He was the Chairman of
the Australian Stock Exchange Limited from 1989 to 1994.
Prior to joining Transurban, Mr Cox was Executive Chairman
of the Potter Warburg Group of Companies and a Director of
S G Warburg Securities of London. He is a director of
Macquarie Bank Limited and Smorgon Steel Group Ltd and
Chairman of The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and
SMS Management and Technology Ltd. Age 64. 

Kimberley Edwards BE, MAdmin (Bus), FIE (Aust),
MAICD – Managing Director
Mr Kim Edwards has extensive experience managing major
commercial and infrastructure projects in Australia, UK and
the Middle East. Prior to joining Transurban, he was General
Manager - Projects for Transfield, and was responsible for
assembling the successful bid for the Melbourne City Link
Project. He was Project Director for Jennings Group’s $650
million Southgate development in Melbourne and has worked
overseas on large port infrastructure projects. Age 52.

Peter C Byers B Com (Hons) – Non-Executive Director
Mr Peter Byers is a director of Airport Motorway
Management Ltd, Hills Motorway Management Limited, Hills
Motorway Ltd, Foundation Capital Ltd and a director of the
Responsible Entity for Hills Motorway Trust. He is an
alternate director for Hancock Victorian Plantations Holdings
Ltd. He was formerly business manager and deputy principal
of the University of Tasmania, former director of Adelaide
Airport Ltd, the Blair Athol Group and a founding director 
and chairman of the Investment Committee of the
Superannuation Scheme for Australian Universities. Age 62.

Geoffrey O Cosgriff BAppSc, Company Director
Diploma, FIE(Aust), FAICD – Non-Executive Director
Mr Geoff Cosgriff is an Executive Director for Logica CMG
Pty Ltd (Australian Subsidiary of UK listed company Logica
CMG) following the sale of the MITS business to Logica Pty
Ltd. Mr Cosgriff was the founding Managing Director of
MITS Limited when the company commenced operation in
1990. Over the intervening period, MITS grew to 600 staff
and nearly $100 million in sales of information technology
solutions. He is also a non-executive director of UXC
Limited, Skilltech Consulting Services and a Council Member
for Leadership Victoria. Previously Geoff held executive
management roles with Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of
Works and has had extensive experience in the information
technology industry. Age 50.

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

47

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Jeremy G A Davis BEc, MBA, MA, FAICD – 
Non-Executive Director
Professor Jeremy Davis holds the AMP Chair of
Management in the Australian Graduate School of
Management at the University of NSW and is the Chairman
of Gradipore Limited. His academic interests are in the
fields of business policy and corporate performance. He is 
a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Professor Davis is a former chairman of Capral Aluminium
Ltd, former vice-president and director of the Boston
Consulting Group, and a former director of the Australian
Stock Exchange, AIDC Ltd and Nucleus Ltd. Age 60.

Susan M Oliver BP&C, MAICD – Non-Executive
Director
Ms Susan Oliver is a director of Medical Benefits Fund,
Programmed Maintenance Services Ltd, Methodist Ladies
College Ltd and The Smith Family Ltd. She retired as chair
of Screen Sound Australia – The National Screen and
Sound Archive on 30 June 2003. Ms Oliver was formerly 
a Senior Manager of Andersen Consulting. She has held
board positions with the Victorian Institute of Marine
Sciences, Interact Events Limited, FHA Design Pty Ltd 
and The Swish Group Ltd. Ms Oliver was also Managing
Director of the Australian Commission for the Future Ltd.
Age 52.

Geoffrey R Phillips BE (Chem), MBA, MAICD –
Executive Director
Mr Geoffrey Phillips joined Transurban in 1996 and was
appointed Finance Director on 28 August 1998. Prior to
joining Transurban, he worked for the Potter Warburg Group
for 6 years as director in both the Corporate Finance and
Fixed Interest Divisions. He is currently a director of Yarra
Valley Water Limited. Age 59. 

David J Ryan B.Bus, FCPA, FAICD, AO – 
Non-Executive Director
Mr David Ryan was appointed director on 29 April 2003. 
He is Chairman of Residual Assco Limited, DJL Limited,
Tooth & Co Limited and Industrial Equity Limited. He is also
a director of ABC Learning Centres Limited and a member
of the Advisory Board of the Caliburn Partnership. Mr Ryan’s
experience covers commercial banking, investment banking
and operational business management in the transportation
services sector. From 1992 to 2002, Mr Ryan held various
senior positions in the Adelaide Steamship Group and from
1997 to 2002 he was the foundation Managing Director 
of Adsteam Marine Limited. In this latter role, he built
Adsteam Marine into the largest towage operation in
Australia and the largest independent harbour towage
operator in the world. Age 51.

48

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Meetings of directors

The number of meetings of the board of directors of Transurban Holdings Limited and each board committee held during 
the year ended 30 June 2003, and the numbers of meetings attended by each director were:

Name

L G Cox

K Edwards 

P C Byers 

J G A Davis 

S M Oliver

G R Phillips

G O Cosgriff

D J Ryan

Directors’ Meeting
Eligible to attend

Attended 

10 

10  

10  

10  

10 

10 

10 

2

10  

10  

10  

9 

10  

10  

10  

2

The number of meetings of the board of directors of Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited and each board committee
held during the year ended 30 June 2003, and the numbers of meetings attended by each director were:

Name

Directors’ Meeting

Audit Committee2

Nomination & Remuneration
Committee2

Risk Management &
Compliance Committee2

Eligible to attend

Attended

Eligible to attend

Attended 

Eligible to attend

Attended 

Eligible to attend

Attended

L G Cox

K Edwards1

P C Byers 

G O Cosgriff

J G A Davis 

S M Oliver

G R Phillips1

D J Ryan

15 

15

15

15

15

15

15

4

15

15

14

14

14

15

14

3

3

-

3

-

3

-

-

-

3

-

3

-

3

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

3

-

-

1 K Edwards and G R Phillips are not members of the Audit and Nomination & Remuneration Committees but have been in
attendance at all of these meetings. G R Phillips is not a member of the Risk Management & Compliance Committee but
has been in attendance at all meetings.

2 Meetings of Board committees of
Transurban Holdings Limited;
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited; and
Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited, are held jointly.

■
■
■
Transurban Group Accounts 2003

49

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

The number of meetings of the board of directors of Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited and each board
committee held during the year ended 30 June 2003, and the numbers of meetings attended by each director were:

Name

L G Cox

J G A Davis

G R Phillips

G O Cosgriff

P C Byers

S M Oliver 

D J Ryan

Directors’ Meeting
Eligible to attend

Attended 

12

12

12

12

3

3

3

12

11  

11  

11  

3  

3  

3

Directors’ interests

The following are particulars of directors’ interests in Stapled Securities and Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)
issued by the Transurban Group as at the date of this Directors’ Report in which directors of the Group have disclosed a
relevant interest.

Name

L G Cox

K Edwards

P C Byers

J G A Davis

S M Oliver

G R Phillips

G O Cosgriff

D J Ryan

Number of 
Stapled Securities

775,000

61,000

50,000

40,000

59,375

-

17,360

20,000

Options over 
Stapled Securities

-

1,500,000

-

-

-

500,000

-

-

Number of CARS

4,000

348

-

150

-

-

121

300

50

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Directors’ and executives’ emoluments

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee has two members who recommend and review remuneration and benefit
packages for directors and senior executives.

Directors are paid an annual fee, the total of which does not exceed the amount specified in the Constitution of the Group.
In addition to the annual fee, directors receive fees for attendance at committee meetings. Liability for Superannuation
Guarantee Contributions is met out of the annual fee. Directors are permitted to make additional superannuation
contributions through sacrifice of a corresponding amount of their annual fee.

On retirement, non-executive directors with more than 3 years service are entitled to receive a lump sum payment equivalent
to the total emoluments received during a third of the director’s total period of service or 3 years, whichever is the lesser. In
determining entitlement, service as a director to CityLink Melbourne Limited has been taken into account.

Details of the nature and amount of each element of the emoluments of each director of the entities within the Transurban
Group and each of the 5 officers of the Transurban Group receiving the highest emoluments are set out in the following
tables.

Non-executive directors of the Transurban Group

Name 

L G Cox 

P C Byers 

J G A Davis 

S M Oliver 

G O Cosgriff 

D J Ryan 

Directors’ Fee
$ 

Superannuation
$ 

231,102 

98,638 

83,500 

81,665 

79,830 

25,234 

20,799 

8,877 

7,515 

7,350 

7,185 

2,271 

Total
$

251,901  

107,515  

91,015  

89,015  

87,015  

27,505  

Executive directors of the Transurban Group 

Name and
Position

Base Salary
$

Bonus
$

Superannuation 
$

Options(1)
$

Other Benefits
$

Total
$

K Edwards – 
Managing Director 

912,857

725,000

87,000

183,999

7,300

1,916,156

G R Phillips – 
Deputy Managing Director  419,253

240,000 

10,519

61,333

7,300

738,405

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

51

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Other executives of the Transurban Group

Name and 
Position

Base Salary
$

Bonus
$

Superannuation 
$

Options(1)
$

Other Benefits
$

Total
$

K Reynolds – 
General Manager, Major Projects  229,436 

305,000 

19,829 

31,853 

7,300 

593,418

P O’Shea –
General Counsel 

B Bourke – CEO, CityLink 
Melbourne Limited 

K Daley –
Executive General Manager

F Browne – General Manager,
Global Business Development 

227,754 

305,000 

20,820 

31,853 

7,300

592,727

283,071 

160,000 

24,239 

43,545 

7,300 

518,155

281,738 

147,500 

24,536 

37,162

7,300 

498,236

335,417 

71,000 

29,367 

47,667 

7,300 

490,751 

(1) No options were granted during the year over Transurban Group Stapled Securities. Option remuneration relates to options
granted to Directors and Executives in prior financial years. In accordance with Transurban Group policy, the total value of the
options issued through the Transurban Group Executive Option Plan have been previously disclosed as remuneration in the 30
June 2001 and 30 June 2002 Directors’ Report. 

Pursuant to ASIC guidelines released in 2003 and ED 2 “Share Based Payments”, the amounts disclosed as remuneration 
in the current year is that part of the total value of the options which is attributable to the current year portion of the
vesting period. 

The options were valued as at grant date using a Black-Scholes derived option valuation model taking into consideration the
exercise price, the term of the option, the market price of Transurban Group Stapled Securities on the date of granting the
option, the expected price volatility of Transurban Group Stapled Securities, expected future distributions, the risk free rate of
interest over the term of the options and exercise conditions in relation to total shareholder return. 

Stapled securities under option

Unissued Stapled Securities of the Transurban Group under option at the date of this report are as follows. No options were
granted during the year and no Stapled Securities were issued during the period on the exercise of options.

Date Options Granted 

Expiry Date 

Issue Price of 
Stapled Securities

Number   

under Option

26 April 2001 

23 October 2001 

1 February 2002 

9 April 2002 

20 May 2002 

April 2006 

October 2006 

April 2007

April 2007

April 2007 

$3.817 

$4.404 

$4.280 

$4.030 

$4.220 

2,100,000  

2,000,000 

400,000  

300,000  

1,550,000  

52

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report  
on the financial report of the transurban group

Indemnification and insurance

The officers of the Group are indemnified against liability incurred by the person in their capacity as an officer unless the
liability arises out of conduct on the part of the officer which involves a lack of good faith. The Group also indemnifies each
person who is or has been an officer against liability for costs or expenses incurred by the person in his or her capacity as an
officer in defending civil or criminal proceedings in which judgment is given in favour of the person or the person is acquitted
or in connection with an application in which the Court grants relief to the person under the Corporations Act 2001.

Pursuant to this indemnification, the individual entities of the Group have paid premiums, for an insurance policy for the
benefit of directors, secretaries and executive officers and related bodies corporate of the Group, in the case of the Trusts
within the Group the officers are indemnified out of the assets of the Trusts. In accordance with common practice, the
insurance policies prohibit disclosure of the nature of the liability covered and the amount of the premium.

Rounding off

The Group is of a kind referred to in Class Order 98/0100, issued by the Australian Securities & Investment Commission,
relating to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the Directors’ Report. Amounts in the Directors’ Report have been rounded off in
accordance with that Class Order to the nearest thousand dollars.

Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office in accordance with section 327 of the Corporations Act 2001.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

Laurence G Cox AO
Chairman

Melbourne 27 August 2003

Kimberley Edwards
Managing Director

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

53

statement of financial performance
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Revenue from ordinary activities

Expenses from ordinary activities:      

Operational costs  

Administration  

Concession Fees  

Net Valuation adjustment on Concession Notes  

Depreciation and amortisation expenses 

Borrowing costs expense 

Loss from ordinary activities before income tax

Income tax on operating loss 

Loss from ordinary activities after income tax 

Basic earnings per Stapled Security 

Diluted Earnings per Stapled Security 

Notes

2003

$’000

2002(1)

$’000

2 

410,868

191,922   

(65,040) 

(23,178) 

(95,600)

62,896

(148,233)

(225,291)

(83,578)

-

(83,578)

Cents

(16.3) 

(16.1) 

18

3 

3 

4  

22 

36 

36 

(37,383)   

(8,012)  

(51,195)  

87,323  

(79,267)  

(170,553)  

(67,165)

-  

(67,165)   

Cents

(13.2)  

(13.0)  

(1)The Transurban Group gained effective control of the Melbourne CityLink entities on 18 December 2001 and commenced
trading on the Australian Stock Exchange as a Stapled Security on 19 December 2001. As a result, the comparative
information is for the period 18 December 2001 to 30 June 2002.

The above statements of financial performance should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

54

transurban annual report 2003

statement of financial position
as at 30 June 2003

Current Assets    

Cash assets 

Receivables 

Other 

Total Current Assets  

Non-Current Assets     

Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Financial assets 

Investments accounted for using the equity method 

Other 

Total Non-Current Assets  

Total Assets  

Current Liabilities     

Payables

Interest bearing liabilities 

Non-interest bearing liabilities 

Provisions 

Total Current Liabilities  

Non-Current Liabilities     

Interest bearing liabilities 

Non-interest bearing liabilities 

Provisions 

Total Non-Current Liabilities  

Total Liabilities 

Net Assets 

Equity 

Contributed equity 

Accumulated losses 

Total Equity

Notes 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18

19 

20 

22 

2003

$’000

172,277

24,926 

2,605

199,808

3,728,251

9,252 

392,000

5,888

19,573

4,154,964

4,354,772

54,471 

8,000

28,049

5,072

95,592

2,131,897

173,846

974 

2,306,717

2,402,309 

2002   

$’000  

132,063  

29,416 

2,283  

163,762   

3,856,090 

9,752  

-  

-  

660  

3,866,502  

4,030,264   

50,144  

8,000  

133,365  

2,758  

194,267   

1,620,169  

146,772  

596  

1,767,537  

1,961,804

1,952,463

2,068,460

2,181,144

(228,681) 

1,952,463

2,147,100  

(78,640)  

2,068,460

The above statements of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

55

Notes 

2003

$’000

2002(1)

$’000  

statement of cash flows
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers (inclusive of GST)  

Payments to suppliers (inclusive of GST)  

Interest received  

Other revenue 

Deposits refunded  

Borrowing costs  

Net cash inflows from operating activities

35 

Cash flows from investing activities      

Payments for property, plant and equipment  

Payments for investments

Payment for single purpose  

Investment in CPLN’s  

Net cash acquired on purchase of controlled entities  

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities  

Cash flows from financing activities      

Proceeds from issue of CARS  

Repayment of borrowings  

Proceeds from borrowings  

Payment of interest rate swap termination  

Payment of premium on mezzanine debt termination  

Distributions paid  

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 

260,718

(113,291)

154,384 

20,788

-

(227,306)
95,293

(19,261)

(7,514)

(3,700)

(392,000) 

-

(422,475) 

430,000

(2,958,872)

3,040,000

(90,573)

(20,750)

(32,409)

367,396 

109,451   

(39,429)   

72,534   

25,044   

2,667   

(116,474)   
53,793   

(8,663)

-

-

-   

1,361,215   

1,352,552   

-   

(13,330)   

8,000   

-   

-   

(19,952)   

(25,282)   

Net increase in cash at bank and cash collateral 

Cash at bank and cash collateral at the beginning of the financial year  

Cash at bank and cash collateral at the end of the financial year

Less cash collateral  

Cash at bank at the end of the financial year 

Financing arrangements and credit facilities 

40,214

1,381,063

1,381,063

1,421,277 

-  

1,381,063   

(1,249,000)

172,277

(1,249,000)  

132,063   

5 

5 

17    

(1)The Transurban Group gained effective control of the Melbourne City Link entities on 18 December 2001 and commenced
trading on the Australian Stock Exchange as a Stapled Security on 19 December 2001. As a result, the comparative
information is for the period 18 December 2001 to 30 June 2002.

The above statements of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

56

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

(a) Basis of accounting
This general purpose financial report has been prepared in
accordance with Accounting Standards, other authoritative
pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards
Board, Urgent Issues Group Consensus Views and the
Corporations Act 2001.

The Group Financial Report consists of the aggregated
financial statements of the combined entity comprising
Transurban Holdings Limited and controlled entities,
Transurban Holding Trust and controlled entities and
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited and
controlled entities, notwithstanding that none of the entities
controls the other. The aggregated accounts incorporate 
an elimination of inter-entity transactions and balances 
and other adjustments necessary to present the financial
statements on a combined basis. The accounting policies
adopted in preparing the financial statements have been
consistently applied by the individual entities comprising 
the Group Accounts except as otherwise indicated.

The financial statements have been aggregated in
recognition of the fact that the securities issued by the
parent entities were stapled into parcels during the year
ended 30 June 2003. A Stapled Security comprises one
share in Transurban Holdings Limited, one share in
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited and one
unit in Transurban Holding Trust. None of the components 
of the Stapled Security are able to be traded separately. 

Where control of an entity is obtained during a financial
year, its results are included in the combined statement 
of financial performance from the date on which control
commences. Where control of an entity ceases during a
financial year its results are included for that part of the
year during which control existed.

Investments in associates are accounted for in the
combined financial statements using the equity method.
Under this method, the combined entity’s share of post
acquisition profits or losses of associates is recognised in
the combined statement of financial performance, and its
share of post acquisition movements in reserves is
recognised in combined reserves. The cumulative post
acquisition movements are adjusted against the cost of 
the investment. Associates are those entities over which
the combined entity exercises significant influence, but 
not control.

(b) Historical cost convention
The financial statements are prepared on the basis of the
historical cost convention and, except where stated, do not
take into account current valuations of non-current assets.
Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given

in exchange for assets. The fair value of cash consideration
with deferred settlement terms is determined by
discounting any amounts payable in the future to their
present value as at the date of acquisition. Present values
are calculated using rates applicable to similar borrowing
arrangements of the Group. The Group has not adopted a
policy of revaluing its non-current assets on a regular basis. 

(c) Revenue recognition
Toll charges and related fees are recognised when the
charge is incurred. 

(d) Recoverable amount of non-current assets
The recoverable amount of an asset is the net amount
expected to be recovered through the net cash inflows
arising from its continued use and subsequent disposal. 
The expected net cash flows included in determining
recoverable amounts of non-current assets are discounted
to their present value using a market-referenced, 
risk-adjusted discount rate. 

Where net cash inflows are derived from a group of assets
working together, the recoverable amount is applied to the
relevant group of assets. Where the carrying amount of a
non-current asset is greater than its recoverable amount
the asset is revalued to its recoverable amount.

(e) Fair value of CityLink asset
The CityLink asset has been assessed at fair value on the
basis of the aggregate amount of the deemed consideration
paid by Transurban Holdings Limited and Transurban Holding
Trust to acquire the net assets of CityLink Melbourne
Limited and CityLink Trust respectively in December 2001. 

(f) Amortisation and depreciation of fixed assets
CityLink Fixed Assets

Amounts classified as CityLink fixed assets are amortised
over the estimated term of the right granted to the Group to
operate CityLink (32 years), or the assets estimated useful
lives, whichever is less. Amortisation by the combined
entity commenced on 18 December 2001 and is calculated
on a straight line basis. The period of amortisation will be
assessed annually.

Other Plant and Equipment

Depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis so as to
write off the net cost of plant and equipment over their
expected useful lives. Estimates of remaining useful lives
will be made on a regular basis for all assets.

The expected useful lives are as follows:

Plant and Equipment

3 – 15 years

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

57

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

(g) Leased non-current assets
Leases of plant and equipment where the combined entity
assumes all the risks and benefits of ownership are
classified as finance leases. Other leases are classified as
operating leases.

amounts of the facilities must be provided. This cash
collateral has been set-off against the outstanding
infrastructure borrowing facilities so that no asset or 
liability in respect of those facilities has been recorded in
the balance sheet of the combined entity.

Finance leases are capitalised. A lease asset and liability
are established at the present value of minimum lease
payments. 

Capitalised lease assets are amortised on a straight line basis
over the term of the lease or, where it is likely that the
combined entity will obtain ownership of the asset, the life of
the asset. Leased assets are being amortised over 5 years.

Other operating lease payments are charged to the
statement of financial performance in the periods in which
they are incurred, as this represents the pattern of benefits
derived from the leased assets.

(h) Income tax
Income tax is brought to account in respect of the Group,
which has adopted the liability method of tax effect
accounting. Income tax expense is calculated on the
operating profit of the Group, adjusted for permanent
differences between taxable and accounting income. The
tax effect of timing differences which arise from items
being brought to account in different periods for income tax
and accounting purposes is carried forward in the balance
sheet as a future income tax benefit or a deferred tax
liability. However, the future tax benefit relating to timing
differences and tax losses is not carried forward as an
asset unless the benefit is virtually certain of realisation. 

The tax losses are shown in aggregate for the Group,
however, the losses remain with the legal entities and
cannot be transferred between entities comprising the
Stapled Security.

(i) Receivables 
Collectibility of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing
basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are
written off. A provision for doubtful debts is raised when
some doubt as to collection exists.

(j) Trade and other creditors
Trade and other creditors represent liabilities for goods and
services provided to the combined entity prior to the end of
the financial year and which are unpaid. The amounts are
unsecured and are usually paid within 45 days of recognition.

(k) Infrastructure loan facilities
The Group has two Infrastructure Loan facilities. Under the
terms of these facilities, cash collateral equal to the utilised

(l) Concession notes
Non-interest bearing long term debt represented by 
the Concession Notes has been included in the Accounts
at the present value of the expected future repayments. 
As the timing and profile of these repayments is largely
determined by the available equity cash flows of CityLink,
the present value of the expected future repayments is
determined using a discount rate which recognises their
subordinated nature.

(m) Employee entitlements
The Group contributes the statutory minimum to
superannuation plans as nominated by the employee. 
The superannuation plans are all accumulation funds.

Liabilities for current and deferred employee compensation
and annual leave expected to be settled within 12 months
of the reporting date are measured at the amounts
expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.
Liabilities for sick leave are recognised when the leave is
taken and measured at the rates paid or payable. 

The above policy was adopted with effect from 1 July 2002
to comply with AASB 1028 Employee Benefits. In previous
years, these liabilities were measured as the amount unpaid
at the reporting date at current pay rates in respect of
employees’ services up to that date. This change in
accounting policy did not result in a material effect in the
current year compared with what would have been
reported had the previous accounting policy continued to 
be applied. 

The cost of current and deferred employee compensation
and contributions to employee superannuation plans were
charged to the statements of financial performance.

(n) Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are recognised as expenses in the period in
which they are incurred, except to the extent to which they
relate to the construction of qualifying assets, and include:

Interest on short term, long term borrowings and
amortisation of deferred borrowing costs.

Costs incurred in connection with the arrangement of
borrowings are deferred and amortised over the effective
period of the funding.

■
58

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

(o) Cash flows
For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash
includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks,
investments in money market instruments and amounts held
on deposit as collateral for the Infrastructure Loan facilities.

(p) Earnings per Stapled Security
(i) Basic Earnings per Stapled Security

Basic earnings per Stapled Security is determined 
by dividing the profit after income tax attributable to
shareholders by the weighted average number of Stapled
Securities outstanding during the financial period.

(ii) Diluted earnings per Stapled Security

Diluted earnings per Stapled Security adjusts the figures
used in the determination of basic earnings per Stapled
Security by taking into account the weighted average
number of Stapled Securities assumed to have been
issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive
potential Stapled Securities.

(q) Intangible assets
The excess of the cost over the identifiable net assets
acquired is brought to account as goodwill and amortised
on a straight line basis over the period during which the
benefits are expected to arise.

(r) Acquisition of assets
The purchase method of accounting is used for all
acquisitions of assets. Cost is measured as the fair value of
the assets given up, shares issued or liabilities undertaken
at the date of acquisition plus incidental costs directly
attributable to the acquisition. 

(s) Maintenance and repairs
The cost of maintenance is charged as expenses as
incurred, except where they relate to the replacement of 
a component of an asset, in which case the costs are
capitalised and depreciated in accordance with note 1f.
Other routine operating maintenance, repair and minor
renewal costs are also charged as expenses as incurred.

(t) Interest bearing liabilities
Loans are carried at their principal amounts which represent
the present value of future cash flows associated with
servicing the debt. Interest is accrued over the period it
becomes due and is recorded as part of other creditors.

(u) Distributions
Provision is made for the amount of any distribution
declared, determined or publicly recommended by the
directors on or before the end of the financial year but not
distributed at balance date. This policy was adopted with
effect from 1 July 2002 to comply with AASB 1044:
Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets,
released in October 2001. The change in policy has no
impact on the prior year financial statements.

(v) Joint venture entity
The interest in a joint venture partnership is accounted for
using the equity method. Under this method, the share of
the profits or losses of the partnership is recognised in the
statement of financial performance, and the share of
movements in reserves is recognised in reserves in the
statement of financial position. Details relating to the
partnership are set out in note 32.

(w) Project development
Costs incurred in developing proposals for specific projects
are charged to the Statement of Financial Performance in
the period in which they are incurred except where:

(i) the outcome of the proposal has been determined and
the outcome will result in the creation of an asset; or

(ii) the outcome of the proposal has not been determined

but it is considered reasonably probable that the outcome,
when determined, will result in the creation of an asset. 

Costs meeting these criteria are capitalised.

(x) Financial instruments

Financial intruments, in the form of interest rate swap 
contracts, are used to manage financial risk.

Gains and losses on interest rate swaps used as hedges
are accounted for on the same basis as the interest
payments they are hedging. Realised hedge gains and
losses are brought to account in the statement of
financial performance when the gains and losses arising 
on the related physical exposures are recognised.

Unrealised gains and losses on interest rate swaps not
effectively hedging an underlying exposure are recognised
in the statement of financial performance

(y) Rounding of amounts

The combined entity is of a kind referred to in Class
Order 98/0100 issued by the Australian Securities and
Investments Commission, relating to the ‘rounding off’
of amounts in the financial report. Amounts in the
financial report are rounded off to the nearest thousand
dollars in accordance with that Class Order.

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

59

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

2. Revenue

Revenue from operating activities     

Toll revenue 

Fee revenue 

Advertising revenue 

Equity commitment fee 

Revenue from outside operating activities     

Interest 

Other 

Revenue from ordinary activities 

3. Operating loss from ordinary activities

Expenses     

Losses from ordinary activities before income tax expense includes the 

following specific expenses: 

Depreciation and amortisation      

CityLink 

Other fixed assets 

Amortisation      

Goodwill 

Total depreciation/amortisation 

Bad and doubtful debts – trade debtors 

Borrowing costs     

Interest and finance charges paid/payable 

Interest rate hedging charges paid/payable 

Total borrowing costs 

Provision for employee entitlements 

Rental expenses relating to operating leases 

2003

$’000 

2002

$’000 

223,162 

7,923

3,378

10,500

244,963

162,564

3,341

165,905

410,868 

142,603

5,130 

500

148,233

1,057

210,033

15,258 

225,291

2,692 

1,700

109,260   

3,914   

1,742   

-   

114,916

76,046   

960

77,006   

191,922  

74,807   

4,212   

248   

79,267   

737   

159,616   

10,937   

170,553   

2,295   

466

60
60

transurban annual report 2003
transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

4. Income tax

(a) The income tax expense for the financial year differs from the amount 
calculated on the loss. The differences are reconciled as follows:

Loss from ordinary activities before income tax expense 

Income tax calculated at 30% (2002 – 30%) 

Tax effect of permanent differences:     

Infrastructure borrowing facility interest not deductible  

Income tax adjusted for permanent differences  

Benefit of (tax losses of prior year recouped)/tax losses not recognised 

Income tax expense 

(b) Transurban Holding Trust    

Tax losses at beginning of year 

Tax Losses of controlled entity acquired during the year 

Tax (Profit)/Losses for the year  

Tax Losses at end of year 

Transurban Holdings Limited

Tax losses at beginning of year 

Tax Losses of controlled entity acquired during the year  

Tax Losses for the year  

Tax Losses at end of year 

Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited

Tax losses at beginning of year

Tax (Profit)/Losses for the year  

Tax Losses at end of year 

2003

$’000 

2002

$’000 

(83,578)

(25,073)

26,288

1,215

(1,215)

-

173,861

-

(35,524)

138,337

835,423

-

138,833

974,256

1,625 

(1,376)

249

(67,165)   

(20,149)   

14,988   

(5,161)   

5,161   

-  

-   

159,722   

14,139   

173,861  

-   

745,929   

89,494   

835,423  

-   

1,625

1,625  

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

61

16 August 2000 and on 17 November 2000 the ATO
disallowed the objection. On 21 December 2000,
Transurban lodged an appeal in the Federal Court against
the ATO decision to disallow the objection. The appeal was
heard in the Federal Court on 3 October 2002. Justice
Merkel has deferred judgement.

If the ATO’s position on deductibility of the Concession
Notes is confirmed, the after tax internal rate of return for
an investor subject to the corporate tax rate will be reduced
to approximately 85 per cent of the return which would
have been achieved if the Concession Fees were
immediately deductible.

Tax consolidation legislation

The Transurban Group is currently considering the
implementation of tax consolidation legislation. The
introduction of the tax consolidation legislation may impact
on the Group’s carried forward tax losses. The financial
effect of the proposed legislation, if any, will be determined
during the 30 June 2004 financial year. No impact has been
recognised in the financial statements for the year ended
30 June 2003.

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Potential future income tax benefits at 30 June 2003 for 
tax losses not brought to account for the combined entity
are $333.8 million (gross $1,112.8 million). These future
income tax benefits are not being brought to account as 
an asset as they do not meet the requirements of note 1h.
The gross tax losses in relation to the Trust are $138.3
million as at 30 June 2003. These losses can not be used
directly by the Trust for the reason outlined in note 1h, but
may be available for the benefit of unit holders in the future.

The benefit of tax losses will only be realised by each
individual entity if:

(i) the entity derives future assessable income of a nature
and of an amount sufficient to enable the benefit from
the deductions for the losses to be realised;

(ii) the entity continues to comply with the conditions for

deductibility imposed by tax legislation; and,

(iii) no changes in tax legislation adversely affect the ability
of the entity to realise the benefit from the deductions
for the losses.

The above tax position is based on tax ruling requests
relating to borrowing costs and interentity transactions.
However, the Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) has not
given its opinion in relation to all of these requests.

Transurban has advice from Senior Counsel that the
concession fees should be immediately deductible
expenditure. The Financial Report has been prepared on this
basis. Deductions in respect of concession fees account for
$700.5 million of the combined entity’s carried-forward loss
of $1,112.8 million at 30 June 2003.

The ATO and Transurban have been unable to agree on the
treatment to be applied to concession fees and as a
consequence the ATO issued an assessment in respect of
CityLink Melbourne’s income tax return for the year ended
30 June 1998. 

Transurban lodged an objection to this assessment on 

62

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

5. Cash assets – current assets

Cash at bank 

The above figures are reconciled to cash at the end of the financial year
as shown in the statement of cash flows as follows:

Cash at bank – as above 

Cash collateral, Infrastructure Loan Facility (note 1k) 

Cash collateral, Infrastructure Note Facility (note 1k) 

The amount shown in Cash at Bank includes $36.1 million comprising the amount 
required under the CityLink Concession Deed to be held in the maintenance  
reserve account and the amount held in the CARS funding reserve. These amounts 
were not available for general use at 30 June 2003 (2002: $17.0 million). 

6. Receivables – current assets

Trade Debtors

Less: Provision for Doubtful Debts 

Other Debtors 

7. Other – current assets

Prepayments 

2003

$’000

172,277

172,277

172,277 

795,000 

454,000

2002

$’000

132,063   

132,063   

132,063   

795,000   

454,000   

1,421,277

1,381,063  

8,755

(706)

8,049

16,877

24,926

2,605 

2,605

8,672   

(521)   

8,151  

21,265   

29,416  

2,283   

2,283 

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

63

2003

$’000 

2002

$’000

3,910,607

(217,959)

3,692,648

52,224

(16,621)

35,603

3,728,251

3,902,966   

(74,807)   

3,828,159   

39,978  

(12,047)   

27,931   

3,856,090  

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

8. Property, plant and equipment – non-current assets

(a) CityLink Fixed Assets     

CityLink at cost 

Less: Accumulated depreciation 

Equipment and fittings     

Equipment and fittings at cost 

Less: Accumulated depreciation 

Total Property, plant and equipment 

Non-current assets pledged as security

Refer to note 17 for information on non-current assets pledged as security by the Group.

(b) Reconciliations

Reconciliations of the carrying amounts of each class of property, plant and equipment 
at the beginning and end of the current financial period are set out below: 

2003   

Carrying amount at 1 July 2002 

Additions 

Disposals

Transfers between asset classes 

Depreciation/amortisation expense charged 
to statement of financial performance 

Carrying amount at 30 June 2003 

2002      

Carrying amount at the start of the period

Additions through acquisition 

Additions 

Disposals 

Depreciation/amortisation expense charged 
to statement of financial performance 

Carrying amount at period end 

CityLink

$’000

Equipment

and Fittings

$’000

Total 

$’000

3,828,159 

2,141 
- 
4,951 

(142,603)

3,692,648

-

3,907,580 

141 

(4,755) 

(74,807) 

3,828,159 

27,931 

17,761 
(8) 
(4,951) 

(5,130)

35,603

-

18,340 

13,803

-

(4,212) 

27,931 

3,856,090   

19,902

(8)   
-

(147,733)

3,728,251

-   

3,925,920   

13,944   

(4,755)   

(79,019)   

3,856,090  

64

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

9. Intangible assets – non-current assets

Goodwill 

Less: Accumulated amortisation 

10. Financial assets – non-current assets

Investment in Construction Phase Loan Notes 

11. Investments accounted for using the Equity Method

Interest in joint venture partnership (note 32) 

Shares in associates (note 31) 

12. Other – non-current assets

Prepayments 

Deferred borrowing costs 

Project development 

13. Payables – current liabilities

Trade creditors 

CARS coupon payment 

Other creditors 

2003 

$’000 

10,000

(748)

9,252

392,000

392,000

5,888

-

5,888

4,812

13,135

1,626

19,573

1,823

6,350

46,298

54,471

2002

$’000

10,000  

(248)   

9,752  

-   

-   

-   

-   

- 

660   

-   

-   

660  

9,189  

-  

40,955   

50,144  

CARS coupon payment represents the first interest payment due to holders of CARS. The distribution on these securities
of 7 per cent for the period 14 April to 30 June 2003, totalling $6.4 million, has been charged to the statement of
financial performance as a borrowing cost because the CARS are clasified as a liability. This coupon was paid to CARS
holders on 31 July 2003. 

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

14. Interest bearing liabilities – current liabilities

Secured     

Bank loan 

15. Non-interest bearing liabilities – current liabilities

Prepaid tolls 

Unearned income 

Mezzanine debt termination 

Interest rate swap termination 

Release from Single Purpose 

16. Provisions – current liabilities

Employee entitlements 

17. Interest bearing liabilities – non-current liabilities 

Secured     

Infrastructure Loan facility 

Less: Cash collateral (note 1k) 

Infrastructure Note facility 

Less: Cash collateral (1k) 

Land Transport Notes 

CPI Bonds 

Project Debt – Tranche A 

Project Debt – Tranche B 

Project Debt – Tranche C 

Mezzanine Debt 

Subordinated debt 

Capital Markets Debt 

Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities 

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

65

2003

$’000 

2002   

$’000  

8,000

8,000

18,044

6,855

-

-

3,150

28,049

8,000   

8,000  

16,595   

2,297   

20,750   

90,573   

3,150   

133,365  

5,072 

5,072

2,758   

2,758  

795,000

(795,000)

454,000

(454,000)

1,897

-

-

510,000

- 

-

-

1,190,000

430,000

2,131,897

795,000   

(795,000)  

454,000   

(454,000)   

1,297   

466,490   

738,268   

98,241   

90,873   

200,000   

25,000   

-   

-   

1,620,169

66

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Set-off of assets and liabilities

A legal right of set-off exists in respect of the specific cash
deposits of $795 million, representing collateralisation of
liabilities under the Infrastructure Loan facility and $454
million, representing collateralisation of liabilities under the
Infrastructure Note facility.

(e) Subordinated debt facility
$80 million facility which is for a term of 1 year from 
28 June 2003. The facility was unused at 30 June 2003.

(f) Cash advance facility
$50 million facility which is for a term of 3 years from 
28 June 2002. The facility was unused at 30 June 2003.

(g) Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities
$430 million raised via the issue of 4.3 million securities.
Semi annual interest is paid at a fixed rate of 7 per cent 
per annum until the first re-set date on 14 April 2007. 
These securities are generally convertible into Transurban
Securities at a discount of 2.5 per cent and rank ahead of
Transurban Stapled Securities on a winding up of Transurban
in conjunction with a winding up of Transurban CARS Trust. 

Transurban Holding Trust acts as guarantor for Transurban
CARS Trust in relation to the interest payments to holders of
CARS. The term of this guarantee is until the first reset date,
14 April 2007 at which time the guarantee may or may not
be extended. 

(h) Bank loan
$8 million facility which was fully utilised at 30 June 2003.
The facility is for a term of 1 year from 5 June 2003.

Financing arrangements and credit facilities

Credit facilities are provided as part of the overall debt
funding structure of the Transurban Group.

Details of each facility are as follows:

(a) Infrastructure loan facility
$795 million facility certified by the Development Allowance
Authority to qualify for concessional tax treatment under
Division 16L of the Income Tax Legislation. The loan is
secured by cash collateral equal to the amount of the loan
which is set off against the loan liability. The principal of the
Infrastructure Loan facility will be repaid from the cash
collateral on 15 December 2004. The facility was fully drawn
as at 30 June 2003.

(b) Infrastructure note facility
$454 million facility certified by the Development Allowance
Authority to qualify for concessional tax treatment under the
Income Tax Legislation. The loan is secured by cash
collateral equal to the amount of the loan, which is set-off
against the loan liability. The principal of the infrastructure
note facility will be repaid from the cash collateral on 
15 December 2004. The facility was fully drawn as at 
30 June 2003.

(c) Land Transport Notes
$94.5 million facility is subject to an Infrastructure Borrowing
Taxation Offset Agreement with the Federal Department of
Transport and Regional Services. The Noteholders qualify for
an income tax rebate on interest received. The Land
Transport Notes are to be repaid 30 June 2004. 

(d) Tranche B bank debt
$510 million facility which is for a term of 5 years from 28
June 2002. The facility was fully utilised at 30 June 2003.
The facility is secured by a first ranking charge over the cash
flows of the Melbourne CityLink Project.

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

67

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

(i) Capital markets debt

Comprises bonds issued by Transurban Finance Company with terms of 3, 5, and 7 years from 8 August 2002. The 
facilities are secured by a first ranking charge over the cash flows of the Melbourne CityLink Project. 

Maturing

3 years

‘000

175,000

260,000

435,000

65,000

90,000

155,000

590,000

Maturing

5 years

‘000

-

-

-

240,000

-

240,000

240,000

Fixed interest rate

Credit wrapped

Non-credit wrapped

Floating interest rate 

Credit wrapped(1)

Non-credit wrapped

Total Capital Markets Debt

(1)The Group has the option to cancel the 5 year and 7 year maturity after 3 years

Loans    

Total facilities 

Used at balance date 

Unused at balance date 

Re-financing of the Transurban Group’s debt was completed on 28 June
2002 with subsequent draw down finalised during July and August 2002.
The re-financing involved the repayment of the group’s existing borrowings
(consisting of Project Debt, CPI Bonds, Mezzanine Debt and Subordinated
Debt) with a $510 million syndicated bank facility and $1,190 million of
bonds issued in the debt capital markets.

18. Non-interest bearing liabilities – non-current liabilities

Release from Single Purpose 

Unearned Income 

Concession Notes 

Maturing

7 years

‘000

-

-

-

360,000

-

360,000

360,000

Total

‘000

175,000

260,000

435,000

665,000

90,000

755,000

1,190,000

2003

$’000 

2002   

$’000  

3,087,000

2,957,000

130,000 

2,893,549   

2,893,549   

-  

3,150

- 

170,696

173,846

6,850   

1,931   

137,991   

146,772  

68

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

CityLink Melbourne Limited issues Concession Notes annually in satisfaction of its obligations to pay Concession Fees 
to the State of Victoria (“the State”) equal to $95.6 million. The notes are due for redemption at the end of the
Concession Period, but may be presented earlier where a Notional Initial Equity Investor has achieved a real after tax
internal rate of return on its equity investment in the Project equal to 10 per cent per annum. Once the threshold rate of
return is achieved, subsequent Concession Note redemption payments are limited to not more than 30 per cent of the
distributable cash flow for the previous year. Based on forecast cash flows, the first Concession Note payment is
presently expected to occur in the 2012 financial year.

Concession Notes have been included in the Financial Report as non interest bearing liabilities at the present value of the
expected future repayments. As the timing and profile of these repayments is largely determined by the available equity
cash flows of CityLink, the present value of the expected future repayments is determined using a discount rate of 
12 per cent which recognises their subordinated nature.

The face value of Concession Notes on issue at 30 June 2003 is $700.5 million. The Net Present Value at 30 June 2003
of the redemption payments relating to these Concession Notes is $170.7 million. The indicative timing of these
redemption payments is set out in the following table.

Concession note redemption     

Estimated Concession Note payments           

Within five years 

Later than 5 years but not later than 10 years 

Later than 10 years but not later than 15 years 

Later than 15 years but not later than 20 years 

Reconciliation

Reconciliation of movement in the Concession Note liability. 

Concession Note Liability at beginning of period 

Concession Notes issued during the year 

Valuation adjustments for the year:     

Charge/(Credit) for Concession Notes on issue at beginning of period 

Credit for Concession Notes issued during the year 

Concession Note Liability at end of period 

19. Provisions – non-current liabilities

Directors’ retirement 

2003

$’000 

2002   

$’000

- 

104,212

463,717

132,524

700,453

137,992

95,600

16,559

(79,455) 

170,696

-   

55,969   

404,558   

144,326   

604,853 

174,120   

51,195   

(44,283)   

(43,040)   

137,992  

974

974

596   

596  

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

69

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

20. Equity     

(a) Stapled Securities

Paid up capital

fully paid  

Date

Details

2003

Number

‘000

2002 

Number

‘000 

2003 

2002

$’000

$’000   

518,473

518,473 

510,028  2,181,144 
510,028    2,181,144

2,147,100   

2,147,100   

Number

Notes

of Stapled

Issue

Price

Securities

$'000

$'000

(b) Movements in Stapled Securities

1 July 2002

Opening Balance 

8 October 2002

Distribution reinvestment plan issues

26 February 2003

Employee share scheme issues

28 March 2003

30 June 2003

Distribution reinvestment plan issues

Closing Balance

d

e

d

510,028

-

2,147,100

1,564

$3.7925 

5,931

35

-

-

6,846

$4.1065

28,113 

518,473

2,181,144

(c) Stapled Securities  

Stapled Securities entitle the holder to participate in distributions and the winding up of the Transurban Group in
proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the securities held. In the event that Transurban and Transurban CARS
Trust are wound up simultaneously, then holders of Transurban CARS securities would rank ahead of Transurban Group
Stapled Securities.

On a show of hands every holder of Stapled Securities present at a meeting in person or by proxy, is entitled to one vote. 

(d) Distribution reinvestment plan  

The Transurban Group has established a distribution reinvestment plan under which holders of Stapled Securities may
elect to have all or part of their distribution entitlements satisfied by the issue of new Stapled Securities rather than 
by cash. Securities are issued under the plan at a 2.5 per cent discount to the market price. Distributions paid during 
the current year remaining to be applied through the issue of Stapled Securities to individual investors in future DRP’s 
total $10,000.

(e) Employee share scheme 

Information relating to the employee share scheme, including details of Stapled Securities issued under the plan, 
are set out in note 28(b).

70

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

21. Distributions

Stapled Securities 

Final distribution for 2002 financial year of 3.0 cents per fully paid 
Stapled Security paid 8 October 2002. 

Interim distribution for 2003 financial year of 10.0 cents      
(2002 – 2.25 cents) per fully paid Stapled Security paid  26 March 2003. 

Total distributions paid  

Distributions paid in cash or satisfied by the issue of Stapled Securities 
under the distribution reinvestment plan during the year ended 
30 June 2003 and the period ended 30 June 2002 were as follows:          

Paid in cash 

Satisfied by issue of Stapled Securities 

In addition to the above distibutions, since the end of the financial year 
the directors have resolved to pay a final distribution of $51.8 million 
(10.0 cents per Stapled Security) to be paid on 8 October 2003. The record 
date for eligibility to receive the distribution is 24 September 2003.

22. Accumulated losses 

Accumulated losses at the beginning of the year 

Net losses incurred during the year 

Trust distributions to security holders 

Accumulated losses at the end of year 

2003

$’000 

2002   

$’000  

15,300

51,163 

66,463 

32,409 

34,054

66,463

-   

11,475   

11,475   

-   

-   

-  

(78,640) 

(83,578)

(66,463)

(228,681)

-   

(67,165)   

(11,475)   

(78,640)  

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

71

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

23. Remuneration of directors

Income paid or payable, or otherwise made available, to 
directors by entities in the combined entity and related parties
in connection with the management of affairs of the group. 

2003

$

2002   

$

3,063,197

2,049,479

Options are granted to executive directors under the Transurban Executive Option Plan, details of which are set out in
note 28(a). A summary of the number of options granted to, exercised and held by executive directors during the year
ended 30 June 2003 is set out below.

Outstanding

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed

Outstanding

30 June 2002
2,000,000 

- 

- 

- 

30 June 2003
2,000,000 

The number of directors whose income was within the specified bands are as follows: 

2003

Number 

2002   

Number

$20,000 

$60,000 

$80,000 

$90,000 

$100,000 

$170,000 

$250,000 

$500,000 

$670,000 

$1,100,000 

$1,730,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

$29,999 

$69,999 

$89,999 

$99,999 

$109,999 

$179,999 

$259,999 

$509,999 

$679,999 

$1,109,999 

$1,739,999 

1

- 

2

1

1 

-

1

-

1

- 

1

- 

4   

-   

-   

-   

1   

-   

1   

-   

1   

-  

Total director remuneration and the remuneration banding does not include amounts in relation to the grant of options 
under the Transurban Executive Option Plan. The options are not included as they were issued at no cost to the entity.

72

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

24. Remuneration of executives

Remuneration received, or due and receivable from entities in the 
group and related parties by executive officers 
(including directors) whose remuneration was at least $100,000 

2003

$

2002   

$

6,606,276

3,887,156  

Options are granted to executive officers under the Transurban Executive Option Plan, details of which are set out 
in note 28(a). A summary of the number of options granted to, exercised and held by executive officers (with income 
of at least $100,000) during the year ended 30 June 2003 is set out below.

Outstanding

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed

Outstanding

30 June 2002
4,450,000 

-

-

30 June 2003
4,450,000  

- 

The number of executive officers whose remuneration was within the specified bands are as follows:

2003

Number 

2002   

Number

$140,000 

$210,000 

$250,000 

$260,000 

$270,000 

$280,000 

$290,000 

$310,000 

$320,000 

$390,000 

$410,000 

$440,000 

$460,000

$470,000 

$500,000 

$560,000

$670,000 

$1,100,000 

$1,730,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

$149,999 

$219,999 

$259,999 

$269,999 

$279,999 

$289,999 

$299,999 

$319,999 

$329,999 

$399,999 

$419,999 

$449,999 

$469,999 

$479,999 

$509,999 

$569,999 

$679,999 

$1,109,999 

$1,739,999 

-

-

-

-

1

-

1

1

-

1

1

1

1

1

-

2

1

-

1

1   

1   

1   

1   

-   

1   

-   

1   

1   

-   

1   

-   

-   

-   

1   

-   

-   

1   

-  

Total executive remuneration and the remuneration banding does not include amounts in relation to the grant of options 
under the Transurban Executive Option Plan. The options are not included as they were issued at no cost to the entity. 

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

73

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

25. Remuneration of auditors

During the period the auditor of the group and its related parties 
earned the following remuneration:

Audit or review of the financial reports of the group 

Other assurance services 

Total audit and other assurance services 

Taxation 

Financial due diligence 

Other

Total remuneration 

2003

$’000 

2002   

$’000

250

127 

377

242

242

-

861

207   

148   

355   

32   

111   

8   

506  

It is the Group’s policy to employ PricewaterhouseCoopers on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties
where PricewaterhouseCoopers’ expertise and experience with the combined entity are important. These assignments
are principally tax advice and financial due diligence. It is the Group’s policy to seek competitive tenders for all major
consulting projects. 

26. Contingent liabilities

(a) Transurban Holding Trust acts as guarantor for Transurban CARS Trust in relation to the interest payments to holders 
of Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”). This guarantee is in place until the first reset date (14 April 2007) 
at which time the guarantee may or may not be extended. The distributions are semi-annual distributions fixed until 
the first reset date at 7 per cent per annum on an amount of $430 million. 

(b) In May 2003, VicRoads submitted an invoice to CityLink Melbourne Limited for costs of approximately $5 million for

rectification works associated with the Swan Street Bridge. CityLink Melbourne Limited does not believe that it has any
liability to VicRoads to pay those costs. In June, VicRoads and the Minister for Transport (“the plaintiffs”) filed a writ in
the Supreme Court of Victoria, claiming certain damage was sustained by the Swan Street Bridge. The plaintiffs claim
that this damage was due to tunnelling, roadworks and associated infrastructure works on and in the vicinity of the
Swan Street Bridge, arising from the Melbourne CityLink project. The entities forming the Transfield-Obayashi Joint
Venture are also defendants. The writ has not been served and therefore, no litigation has been instituted. CityLink
Melbourne Limited is facilitating discussions between the parties.

(c) The Transurban Group has established a bank guarantee of $5 million in favour of a controlled entity in a form prescribed
by ASIC to accommodate the net tangible asset conditions of the controlled entity’s dealers licence. The controlled
entity is unable to act as a Responsible Entity for certain Transurban Group entities if the bank guarantee conditions are
not satisfied.

74

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

27. Commitments for expenditure 

Lease commitments
Commitments for minimum payments in relation to 
non-cancellable operating leases contracted for at 
the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities payable:          

Within one year 

Later than one year but not later than 5 years 
Later than 5 years 

2003

$’000

1,577 

2,433 
-
4,010 

2002   

$’000

1,037   

928  
-   

1,965  

Concession fees
The Melbourne CityLink Concession Deed between the Transurban Group and the State of Victoria provides for annual
concession fees of $95.6 million during the construction phase and for the first 25 years of the operations phase, $45.2 million
for years 26 to 34 of the operations phase and $1 million thereafter if the concession continues beyond year 34. Until a certain
threshold return is achieved, payments of concession fees due under the Concession Deed will be satisfied by means 
of the issue of non-interest bearing Concession Notes to the State. Refer to note 18 for details of concession notes.

Option over further interest in Westlink M7 Motorway project
Wholly owned entities of the Group have granted to and have been granted by each of Leighton and Abigroup put and
call options over 25 per cent of the interest in the Westlink M7 Project held by each of those parties. These put and call
options are each exercisable by either party at completion of the project at a price of $24.255 million.

28. Employee entitlements 

Employee numbers 

Average number of employees during 
the financial period 

2003

Number 

2002   

Number

349

349

298  

298  

(a) Transurban Group Executive Option Plan

Options are issued at no cost to the Option holder. Options vest in three equal tranches on the second, third and fourth
anniversaries of their issue. The exercise of the options is subject to an Exercise Condition. The Exercise Condition involves
a comparison between Total Shareholder Return (TSR) of The Transurban Group’s Stapled Securities over the two years
prior to a vesting date of options and the TSR of each of the other companies in the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials as at the
end of the relevant Exercise Condition Test Period which have been in the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials for the full term of 
the Exercise Condition Test Period (Test Companies) measured over the same period.

TSR measures the total return on investment of a security. It takes into account both capital appreciation and distribution
income. The Transurban Group and each of the Test Companies will be ranked according to their respective TSRs over the
Exercise Condition Test Period. The ranking determines the extent to which vested options may be exercised. If the Group’s
TSR exceeds the 65th percentile of the ranking, 100% of the vested options may be exercised. If Transurban Group’s TSR 
is below the 25th percentile of the ranking, none of the vested options may be exercised. If the TSR falls between these
percentiles, the percentage of vested options that may be exercised will be calculated according to a formula.

No Stapled Securities were issued during the year ended 30 June 2003 pursuant to the exercise of options. 

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

75

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Set out below are summaries of options granted under the plan.

Grant 
date

2003

Expiry 
date

Exercise
price
of year

Balance 
at start  
the year

Issued
during 
the year

Exercised
during 
the year

Lapsed
during 
the year

Balance
at end of

26 April 2001

April 2006

$3.817

2,350,000

23 October 2001 October 2006

$4.404

2,000,000

1 February 2002

April 2007

9 April 2002

April 2007

20 May 2002

April 2007

$4.280

$4.030

$4.220

400,000

300,000

1,650,000

2002

26 April 2001

April 2006

$3.817

2,350,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

23 October 2001 October 2006

$4.404

1 February 2002

April 2007

9 April 2002

April 2007

20 May 2002

April 2007

$4.280

$4.030

$4.220

-

-

-

-

2,000,000

400,000

300,000

1,650,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

250,000

2,100,000 

-

-

-

2,000,000

400,000 

300,000

100,000

1,550,000

-

-

-

-

-

2,350,000 

2,000,000 

400,000 

300,000 

1,650,000 

2003

Number 

2002   

Number   

Options vested at the reporting date 

1,307,900 

-

(b) Employee share scheme

A scheme under which Stapled Securities may be issued by the Group to employees for no cash consideration was
approved by the directors on 29 January 2002. All current full -time and permanent part-time (excluding directors) and
fixed term staff on contracts greater than 12 months are eligible to participate. Offers under the scheme are at the
discretion of the Transurban Group, which is determined by the Transurban Group’s success and market performance.

Stapled Securities issued under the scheme may only be sold once the employee has ceased employment. In all other
aspects the Stapled Securities rank equally with other fully-paid Stapled Securities on issue. 

Each participant was issued with 120 Stapled Securities (2002 – 100 Stapled Securities) at a value of $4.25 
per Stapled Security (2002 – $4.03).

Stapled Securities issued under the plan to participating employees 
on 26 February 2003 

2003

Number 

2002   

Number  

34,560

28,300

76

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

29. Related party information

Directors

The names of persons who were directors of entities within the Group at any time during the financial year is as follows:

Laurence G Cox, Kimberley Edwards, Peter C Byers, Geoffrey O Cosgriff, Jeremy G A Davis, Susan M Oliver, Geoffrey R
Phillips and David J Ryan. All of these persons were directors for the entire financial year except for David J Ryan who
was appointed on 29 April 2003.

Remuneration and service agreements

Information on remuneration of directors is disclosed in notes 23.

Transactions of directors and their director-related entities concerning securities issued by the 
Transurban Group

Aggregate numbers of securities of the Transurban Group acquired or disposed of by directors of the Group or their
director-related entities:

Acquisitions    
Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”) from the 
initial public offering 

Transurban Group Stapled Securities(1)

Disposals     

Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities 

Securities held    

CARS 

Transurban Group Stapled Securities 

Transurban Group Options 

2003

Number

6,019 

40,100

1,100 

4,919

1,022,735

2,000,000

2002   

Number

-   

46,890   

-   

-   

982,635  

2,000,000 

(1)Includes 20,000 Stapled Securities held by Mr David J Ryan, which were acquired prior to his appointment as a 
non-executive director.

Directors and their director-related entities receive normal distributions on these securities. All transactions relating to
securities were on the same basis as similar transactions with other security holders.

Other transactions with directors and director related entities

Mr Cox is a director of Macquarie Corporate Finance Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Bank Ltd), which
during the year provided financial advice pursuant to specific mandates. 

Macquarie Bank Ltd was involved in the financial arrangements concerning the Land Transport Notes. Mr Cox holds 
1.97 million Land Transport Notes. 

Mr Ryan holds $0.5 million of Infrastructure Bonds issued by CityLink Melbourne Limited.

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

77

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Aggregate amounts of each of the above types of other transactions with directors and their director related entities:

2003

$’000 

372

21

7,208

3,849

250,000

2002   

$’000

8,394   

32   

-   

-   

-  

Consulting fees 

Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses 

Underwriting services 

Interest 

Loans provided and repaid

All of the above amounts represent payments on normal 
commercial terms made in relation to the provision of goods 
and services.

Aggregate amounts payable to director related entities at 
balance date:

Current liabilities – Macquarie Bank Limited 

5

7,973  

30. Investment in controlled entities

Name of Entity

Country of 

Class of

Incorporation

Security

Equity   

Holding 

2003 %

Equity   

Holding 

2002 %

Date   

Acquired

The CityLink Trust

CityLink Melbourne Limited 

City Link Extension Pty Ltd 

Transurban Infrastructure
Management Limited 

Transurban Collateral Security Pty Ltd 

Transurban Finance Trust  

Transurban Finance Company Pty Ltd 

Transurban Nominees Pty Ltd 

Transurban Nominees 2 Pty Ltd 

Transurban WSO Pty Ltd 

Transurban AL Trust 

Transurban CARS Trust 

Transurban WSO Trust 

Transurban Infrastructure 
Developments WSO Pty Ltd 

Australia

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Ordinary

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Ordinary 

Australia 

Ordinary 

100

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

03/12/2002  

22/01/2003  

03/12/2002  

23/01/2003  

20/12/2002  

12/12/2002  

17/12/2002

78

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Acquisition of controlled entities

All new controlled entities were acquired for a book value of $12 each, except Transurban WSO Trust where Transurban
CARS Trust as sole unit holder subscribed for $392 million in units for cash consideration.

31. Investment in associates

Investments in associates are accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of
accounting. Information relating to the associates is set out below. 

Ownership

interest  

Combined entity   

carrying amount    

Name of company

WSO Company Pty Limited 

Westlink Motorway Limited 

WSO Finance Company

2003

%

40

40

40

2002 

%

-

- 

-

2003 

$’000

-

-

-

2002   

$’000   

-   

- 

-

WSO Company Pty Limited, Westlink Motorway Limited and WSO Finance Company are presently non-operational and
are carried at cost of $80 each. WSO Company will be the operator of Westlink M7 Motorway which is presently under
construction and is due for completion in 2007. Westlink Motorway Limited is the nominee manager of the Westlink Motorway
Partnership and WSO Finance Company will arrange debt facilities for the Westlink Motorway Project. The associates will not
have any impact on the combined entity’s equity accounted profits until the road operations commence following completion.

32. Interest in joint ventures

Name of partnership

Westlink Motorway Partnership 

Ownership

interest  

2003

%

40

2002 

%

- 

Combined entity   

carrying amount    

2003 

$’000

5,888

2002   

$’000   

-  

The combined entity has a 40% interest in the Westlink Motorway Partnership, the principal activity of which is the
construction of the Westlink M7 Motorway in Sydney. The M7 is presently in the construction phase and is due for
completion 2007. The partnership will have no impact on the combined entity’s equity accounted profits until the road
operations commence following completion. 

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

79

2003

$’000

1,741

235,059

236,800

-

236,800

236,800

-

-

564,266

2002

$’000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Share of partnership assets and liabilities

Current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Share of profits

Share of partnership commitments

Capital commitments

33. Financial instruments disclosure

The combined entity is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risks in the normal course of business in
order to hedge exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These instruments are not included in the assets or liabilities.

Interest rate swap contracts

It is Transurban Group’s policy to protect floating rate facilities from exposure to increasing interest rates. Accordingly,
the Group has entered into interest rate swap contracts. The contracts are settled on a net basis and the net amount
receivable or payable at the reporting date is included in other debtors or other creditors.

Swaps currently in place cover approximately 92 per cent of the floating rate loan principal outstanding.

80

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

At 30 June 2003, the notional principal amounts and periods of expiry of the interest rate swap contracts are as follows:

4 – 5 years 

Interest rate risk

2003

$’000 

1,160,000 

1,160,000

2002   

$’000  

-   

-  

The combined entity’s exposure to interest rate risk and the effective weighted average interest rate by maturity periods
is set out in the following tables. 

Fixed Interest Rate Maturity

Floating
interest rate
$'000

Note

1 year
or less and 5 years
$'000

Between 1 More than Non interest
bearing
$'000

5 years
$'000

$'000

Total
$'000

2003

Financial assets         

Cash 

Debtors 

Other 

Advance to related party

Cash collateral 

Total financial assets 

5 

6 

7,12     

10 

5 

Weighted average interest rate  

Financial liabilities 

Creditors 

Prepaid tolls  

13

15

Release from single purpose 15,18 

Land Transport Notes 

Concession Notes 

Bank loan 

Tranche B Debt 

Capital Markets Debt 

Infrastructure loan facility

CARS 

Interest rate swaps

17

18 

14 

17 

17 

17 

17 

33 

Total financial liabilities 

Weighted average interest rate  

Net financial assets/(liabilities)

172,277

- 

-

- 

- 

172,277 

4.47% 

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

8,000

510,000 

755,000 

- 

-

(1,160,000)

113,000 

4.98%

59,277 

-

- 

-

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

-

- 

-

392,000

1,249,000

1,641,000

10.02% 

- 

- 

- 

1,897

- 

-

- 

435,000

1,249,000

430,000 

1,160,000 

3,275,897

6.60% 

(1,634,897) 

-

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

-

- 

-

-

-

- 

- 

-

- 

-

172,277  

24,926

20,552 

24,926  

20,552  

- 

- 

392,000  

1,249,000  

45,478 

1,858,755   

- 

-   

54,471 

18,044 

6,300 

-

54,471  

18,044  

6,300  

1,897  

170,696 

170,696  

-

- 

-

-

- 

- 

8,000  

510,000  

1,190,000  

1,249,000  

430,000  

-  

249,511 

3,638,408   

-

-   

(204,033) 

(1,779,653)  

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

81

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Fixed Interest Rate Maturity

Floating
interest rate
$'000

Note

1 year
or less and 5 years
$'000

Between 1 More than Non interest
bearing
$'000

5 years
$'000

$'000

Total
$'000

2002

Financial assets

Cash 

Debtors 

Other 

Cash collateral 

Total financial assets

5 

6

7     

5 

Weighted average interest rate  

13,15,18 

Financial liabilities

Creditors 

Prepaid tolls  

Land Transport Notes 

Concession Notes 

Bank loan 

Interest rate swap 
termination 

Mezzanine debt 
termination 

CPI Bonds 

Project debt borrowings 

Infrastructure loan facility 

15 

17 

18 

14 

15 

15 

17 

17 

17

132,063 

- 

-

- 

132,063 

4.72% 

- 

- 

- 

- 

8,000 

- 

- 

- 

1,152,382 

-

Total financial liabilities

1,160,382 

Weighted average interest rate  

6.81% 

Net financial liabilities

(1,028,319) 

-

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

- 

-

- 

-

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

1,297

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

1,249,000 

1,249,000 

11.20%

-

132,063  

29,416

2,283 

29,416  

2,283  

- 

1,249,000  

31,699 

1,412,762   

-

-   

- 

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

466,490 

- 

1,249,000 

60,144 

16,595 

- 

60,144  

16,595  

1,297  

137,991

137,991  

-

8,000  

90,573 

90,573  

20,750

- 

-

- 

20,750  

466,490  

1,152,382  

1,249,000  

1,297 

1,715,490 

326,053 

3,203,222   

-

8.25%

- 

-   

(1,297)

(466,490) 

(294,354) 

(1,790,460)  

Notes 

2003

$’000

2002   

$’000 

Reconciliation of net financial assets/(liabilities) to net assets      

Net financial liabilities as above    

Non-financial assets and liabilities         

Property, plant and equipment   

Other assets   

Other liabilities   

Net assets per balance sheet    

(1,779,653) 

(1,790,460)  

8 

3,728,251

3,856,090   

9,11,12 

15,16,19

16,766

(12,901) 

1,952,463 

10,412   

(7,582)  

2,068,460  

82

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Credit risk

Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognised if counterparties failed to perform as contracted. The credit risk
on financial assets is the carrying amount net of any provisions for doubtful debts.

Net fair values of financial assets and liabilities 

The carrying amount and net market value of financial assets and liabilities brought to account at balance date are the 
same.

The aggregate net fair value of interest rate swaps not recognised in the balance sheet (refer note 1x) held at 30 June
2003 is a liability of $61.6 million.

As these contracts are hedging anticipated future interest payments, any unrealised gains and losses on the contracts,
together with the cost of the contracts, are deferred and will be recognised in the measurement of the underlying
transaction.

The valuation of interest rate swaps reflects the estimated amounts which the entity expects to pay or receive to
terminate the contracts or replace the contracts at their current market rates as at 30 June 2003. 

34. Segment information

The Combined Entity’s primary business segment for the period ending 30 June 2003 was the operation of the
Melbourne City Link toll road. The acquisition of a 40 per cent interest in the Westlink M7 project during the period has
not resulted in a change to the primary segment of the Group. The Westlink M7 project is presently non-operational and
is scheduled for completion in 2007.

Geographical segment information is provided in the table below and reflects the Group’s activities in relation to
geographically unique locations.

Victoria 

New South Wales  

Segment Revenues  

Segment Assets  

Segment Liabilities 

2003

$’000

390,606 

20,262

410,868

2002 

$’000

2003

$’000

2002 

$’000

2003

$’000

2002   

$’000   

191,922   

3,907,325

4,030,264   

1,965,796 

1,961,803   

-   

447,447

-   

436,513

-   

191,922   

4,354,772

4,030,264   

2,402,309

1,961,803   

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

83

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

35. Reconciliation of operating loss after income tax to net cash flow 

from operating activities 

Operating loss after income tax 

Depreciation and amortisation 

Deferred borrowing costs

Change in operating assets and liabilities

Increase/(Decrease) in Concession Note liabiliity

Increase in loans from related parties   

(Increase)/Decrease in prepayments 

Increase in creditors 

Decrease in debtors 

Increase in provisions 

(Decrease)/Increase in interest rate swap termination 

(Decrease)/Increase in Mezzanine debt termination 

Increase/(Decrease) in unearned income 

(Decrease)/Increase in CPI Bonds 

Net cash inflow from operating activities 

2003

$000

2002   

$000

(83,578)

148,233

(13,134)

32,704

599

(4,473)

6,146

3,476

2,693

-

- 

2,627

-

95,293

(67,165)   

79,267   

-   

(36,128)

-

425   

19,222   

26,071   

555   

4,724   

20,750   

(1,766)   

7,838  

53,793  

36. Earnings per Stapled Security

Basic earnings per Stapled Security 

Diluted earnings per Stapled Security 

Weighted average number of Stapled Securities used as the 
denominator in calculating basic earnings per Stapled Security 

Weighted average number of Stapled Securities and potential 
Stapled Securities used as the denominator in calculating diluted 
earnings per Stapled Security 

(16.3 cents)

(16.1 cents)

(13.2 cents)   

(13.0 cents)   

512,976,259 

510,028,300   

519,326,259

516,728,300  

Information concerning the classification of securities

(a) Stapled Securities

All Stapled Securities are fully paid. They carry the right to participate in distributions and have been included in the
determination of basic and diluted earnings per Stapled Security.

(b) Options

Options granted to executives under the Transurban Executive Option Plan are considered to be potential Stapled
Securities and have been included in the determination of diluted earnings per Stapled Securities. The options have not
been included in the determination of basic earnings per Stapled Security.

84

transurban annual report 2003

Director’s Declaration 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

The directors declare that the financial statements and notes set out on pages 53 to 83.

(a) comply with Accounting Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting

requirements; and

(b) give a true and fair view of the combined entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2003 and of its performance, 

as represented by the results of its operations and its cash flows, for the year ended on that date.

In the directors’ opinion

(a) the financial statements and notes are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001; and

(b) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Group will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and

payable.

This declaration is made in accordance with separate resolutions of the directors of Transurban Holdings Limited, Transurban
Infrastructure Management Limited and Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited. 

Laurence G Cox AO
Chairman

Melbourne 27 August 2003

Kimberley Edwards
Managing Director

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

85

independent audit report

86

transurban annual report 2003

shareholder information
The security holder information set out below was applicable as at 29 August 2003.

(a) Distribution of Stapled Securities

1. The number of holders of Stapled Securities, which comprise one share in Transurban Holdings Limited, one share in

Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited and one unit in Transurban Holding Trust, was 17,507.

2. The voting rights are one vote per Stapled Security.

3.  At 29 August 2003 the percentage of the total holdings held by or on behalf of the twenty largest holders of these

securities was 69.26 per cent.

4. The distribution of holders was as follows:

Share Grouping

Number of Holders

Stapled Securities Held

1 - 1,000

1,001 -  5,000

5,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 100,000

100,001 - and over

Total

3,618

9,937

2,387

1,413

152

17,507

2,560,605

26,502,049

17,966,963

32,352,269

438,940,678

518,322,564

%

0.49

5.11

3.47

6.24

84.69

100.00

There were 222 holders of less than a marketable parcel of ordinary shares.

5. Substantial Securityholders in the group are set out below:

Name

Number of Stapled Securities

% of Total

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Limited

Macquarie Bank Limited

ING Australia Holdings Limited

118,650,390

54,257,956

33,806,340

22.89

10.46

6.52

Transurban Group Accounts 2003

87

shareholder information
The security holder information set out below was applicable as at 29 August 2003.

(b) Twenty largest holders of Stapled Securities

Number of Stapled 

Percentage of Issued

Securities Held

Stapled Securities

Trust Company of Australia Limited

National Nominees Limited

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Westpac Custodian Nominees Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

ANZ Nominees Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Queensland Investment Corporation

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Commonwealth Custodial Services Limited

RBC Global Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited

RBC Global Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited

AMP Life Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Zurich Investment Management Limited

RBC Global Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited

Cogent Nominees Pty Ltd

55,000,000

45,130,957

44,422,946

30,291,379

23,463,356

20,515,477

17,742,888

17,660,170

14,119,879

12,148,652

11,223,363

10,549,806

10,511,994

8,532,025

8,487,400

6,621,827

6,418,052

5,635,010

5,619,902

4,836,086

10.61

8.71

8.57

5.84

4.53

3.96

3.42

3.41

2.72

2.34

2.17

2.04

2.03

1.65

1.64

1.28

1.24

1.09

1.08

0.93

Total

358,931,169

69.26

88

transurban annual report 2003

Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

89

the annual concise report of the melbourne citylink project 
consisting of the aggregated concise financial report of 
citylink melbourne limited and controlled entity (ABN 65 070 810 678)
and the citylink trust (ABN 17 859 104 122)

for the year ended 30 june 2003

Directors’ report

Statement of financial performance

Statement of financial position

Statement of cash flows

Discussion and analysis

Notes to the financial statements

Directors’ declaration

Independent audit report to the members

90

96

97

98

99

101

103

104

The CityLink Project (as defined in note 1 to the concise financial report) 
is a combined entity, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Its registered
office and principal place of business is:

Level 43 Rialto South Tower
525 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 

Through the use of the internet, we have ensured that our corporate
reporting is timely, complete, and available globally. All press releases,
financial reports and other information are available on our website:
www.transurban.com.au 

This concise financial report has been derived from the full financial reports
of CityLink Melbourne Limited and The CityLink Trust for the year ended 
30 June 2003. 

The concise financial report cannot be expected to provide as full an
understanding of the financial performance, financial position and financing
and investing activities as the full financial report.

90

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report 

The directors of CityLink Melbourne Limited (“the Company”)
present their report on the Melbourne CityLink Project
Concise Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2003. 

The following persons held office as directors of Transurban
Infrastructure Management Limited from 30 June 2003 until
the date of this report:

Project accounts

These Project Accounts have been prepared as an
aggregation of the consolidated financial statements of 
the Company and the financial statements of The CityLink
Trust (“the Trust”) as if both entities operate together. 
They are therefore treated as a combined entity (“the
combined entity”), notwithstanding that neither entity
controls the other.

Executive Directors
Geoffrey R Phillips

Non-executive Directors
Laurence G Cox
Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Jeremy G A Davis
Peter C Byers
Susan M Oliver
David J Ryan

Directors

The following persons were directors of CityLink Melbourne
Limited during the whole of the financial year and up to the
date of this report:

Principal activities

The principal activities of the combined entity during the
year were the financing and operation of the Melbourne
CityLink Project (“CityLink”).

Executive Directors
Kimberley Edwards
Geoffrey R Phillips

Non-executive Directors
Laurence G Cox
Susan M Oliver
Peter C Byers
Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Jeremy G A Davis

David J Ryan was appointed a non-executive director on 
29 April 2003 and continues in office as at the date of 
this report.

On 30 June 2003, Transurban Infrastructure Management
Limited was appointed the Responsible Entity of the
CityLink Trust. Prior to this, the Responsible Entity duties
were undertaken by Perpetual Trustee Company Limited.

The following persons held office as directors of Perpetual
Trustee Company Limited, the responsible entity of the Trust
from the beginning of the financial year until 30 June 2003:

Gai M McGrath
Rohan W Mead
Michael J Stefanovski
Phillip A Vernon

Distributions

Distributions made during the year consisted of:

Stapled Securities

Final distribution for 2002 financial  
year of 3 cents per fully paid stapled  
security paid 2 October 2002.

Interim distribution for 2003 financial 
year of 10 cents (2002 – 2.25 cents) 
per fully paid stapled security paid
24 January 2003.

Equity Infrastructure Bonds (“EIBs”)

The final interest payment on EIBs 
issued by CityLink Melbourne which 
was deferred from December 1999 of 
$9.0411 per “old” stapled security 
paid on 26 February 2002.

Total distributions paid

2003 

$’000 

2002

$’000

15,300

-

51,000

11,475

-

66,300

8,277

19,752

Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

91

directors’ report 

Review of operations

(a) CityLink traffic
Transaction volume for the year ended 30 June 2003 was
205.3 million transactions (excluding motorcycle images),
representing a 6.6 per cent increase on the prior year.
Excluding the effect of Melbourne Cup Day, for which tolls
were charged in 2001 but was free in 2002, transaction
growth was 6.8 per cent. Growth was strong in the first
half of the year at 7.7 per cent moderating over the second
half of the year to 5.8 per cent. The light commercial
vehicle class experienced the strongest transaction growth 
at 9.4 per cent with heavy commercial vehicle transactions
growing at 7.7 per cent and car transactions at 6.2 per cent. 

The growth in transaction volumes combined with the toll
escalation as provided for in the Concession Deed resulted
in toll and fee revenue (net of GST) of $231.1 million, an
increase of 10.7 per cent over the previous year.

(b) CityLink customer service
Continuing the favourable trend of previous years, further
reductions of $4.3 million were achieved in customer
service costs. The reductions were achieved in an
environment of increased transaction volume and continued
growth in customer accounts and e-TAG’s on issue. At year
end, there were 609,471 accounts and 879,596 e-TAGs
with customers, representing rises of 10 per cent and 
11 per cent respectively, on the previous year. 

Cost reductions have resulted from planned initiatives 
that included:

Contract renegotiations on unit pricing for call handling
and agency arrangements for account payments and
CityLink pass sales. 

Shift in customer contact to lower cost channels, such
as the internet.

Improved systems integration, coupled with work
process improvements to provide productivity gains.

The cost reductions were achieved while maintaining
customer service standards. Additional costs were incurred
as a result of replacing warning notices for first time
offences with a $40 fine. This resulted in additional
customer contacts and associated costs, although it was
offset by an increase in administration fees on paid fines.

Customer service costs are now at a stable level with all 
of the major cost reduction initiatives implemented. Future
operational improvements will be aimed at mitigating
transaction volume and CPI impacts.

(c) Infrastructure group operations
A number of construction defects remain outstanding with
the Transfield Obayashi Joint Venture (“TOJV”). CityLink is
managing the rectification of these defects while
negotiating with the TOJV a financial settlement of this
issue. CityLink has been joined in legal action by VicRoads
against the TOJV in relation to alleged construction-related
damage to the Swan Street Bridge.

CityLink has established comprehensive systems for the
management of groundwater following the hand over of
responsibilities for this activity from the TOJV. Other
responsibilities assumed by CityLink during the year
included the management and support of traffic and tunnel
management systems.

As a result of these additional responsibilities, Infrastructure
Group costs were $3.2 million higher than in the prior
corresponding period. It is expected that the level of
Infrastructure Group costs in real terms in future years will
be similar to the level incurred in FY03. 

(d) Income tax
Transurban has advice from Senior Counsel that the
concession fees are immediately deductible expenditure.
The Project Accounts have been prepared on this basis. 

The Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) and Transurban have
been unable to agree on the treatment to be applied to
concession fees and as a consequence the ATO issued an
assessment in respect of the Company’s income tax return
for the year ended 30 June 1998.

Transurban appealed against the ATO’s decision to disallow
its objection to the assessment. The appeal was heard in
the Federal Court on 3 October 2002.  Justice Merkel has
deferred judgement.

If the ATO’s position on deductibility of the Concession
Notes is confirmed, the after tax internal rate of return for
an investor subject to the corporate tax rate will be reduced
to approximately 85 per cent of the return which would
have been achieved if the Concession Fees were
immediately deductible.

■
■
■
92

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report 

Significant changes in the state of affairs

(a) Refinancing
Refinancing of Transurban’s debt was completed on 28 June
2002 with the subsequent draw down finalised during July
and August 2002. The refinancing involved the repayment of
the group’s existing borrowings (consisting of a $927 million
syndicated bank facility, a $350 million CPI Bond facility and
a $200 million Mezzanine Note facility) with a $510 million
syndicated bank facility and $1,190 million of bonds issued
in the debt capital markets. 

The new facilities have maturities of 3, 5 and 7 years and
require no principal repayments prior to maturity. 

Based on the terms achieved for the bond issues, the average
margin payable on the $1,700 million of refinanced debt is
53 basis points. The corresponding base rate is 5.93 per cent
per annum, of which 95 per cent is presently fixed for three
years, resulting in an overall interest cost on the refinanced
debt of 6.46 per cent per annum. 

Immediate benefits realised from the refinancing have been
a reduction in aggregate debt service costs for the year of
$75 million. These benefits relate to reduced interest costs
and the elimination of amortisation payments and transfers
to reserves. 

(b) CityLink water treatment and recycling plant
The CityLink water treatment and recycling plant
commenced operation in November 2002. The plant
removes the contaminants from the groundwater which
infiltrates the Domain and Burnley tunnels, allowing it to be
used in place of drinking water for pressure maintenance 
in the aquifers surrounding the tunnels.

(c) Other changes
In the opinion of the Directors there were no other
significant changes in the state of affairs of the combined
entity that occurred during the financial year under review.

Matters subsequent to the end of the financial year

At the date of this report the directors are not aware of any
circumstances that have arisen since 30 June 2003 that
have significantly affected or may significantly affect the
operations, and results of those operations or the state of
affairs, of the combined entity in financial years subsequent
to 30 June 2003. 

Likely developments and expected results 
of operations

At the date of this report the directors are not aware of any
circumstances that have arisen since 30 June 2003 that
has significantly affected, or may significantly affect:

(a) the entity’s operations in future financial years, or

(b) the results of those operations in future financial 

years, or

(c) the entity’s state of affairs in future financial years.

Information on the expected results of operations has not
been included in this report because the directors believe
such information would be likely to result in unreasonable
prejudice to the combined entity.

Environmental regulation

Transurban Group must ensure it complies with EPA
regulations. To meet this obligation, Transurban Group has
contracted several specialist organisations to monitor
emissions of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and
particulate matter from the Domain and Burnley Tunnel
ventilation stacks. Ambient air quality in the vicinity of the
ventilation stacks is also monitored. The monitoring
organisations are certified by the National Association of
Testing Authorities.

The monitoring contracts are administered  by the CityLink
operator, Translink Operations Pty Ltd (“TLO”). The detailed
monitoring requirements are contained in the Waste
Discharge Licence for the tunnels (EPA Licence EA41502)
which has been issued to TLO. Current monitoring indicates
emission levels from the stacks are well below the EPA
licence limits, and that there has been an improvement in
ambient air quality since the tunnels opened.

CityLink also operates a Groundwater Recharge system 
to maintain the water table around the CityLink tunnels.
Groundwater quality is tested weekly to ensure that
compliance with EPA requirements is achieved. Current
monitoring indicates that the quality of groundwater around
the tunnels is within the requirements set by the EPA.

Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

93

directors’ report 

Information on directors

Laurence G Cox AO, B Com, FCPA, FSIA 
– Non-Executive Chairman
Mr Laurie Cox has had many years’ experience in Australian
and international financial markets. He was the Chairman of
the Australian Stock Exchange Limited from 1989 to 1994.
Prior to joining Transurban, Mr Cox was Executive Chairman
of the Potter Warburg Group of Companies and a Director of
S G Warburg Securities of London. He is a director of
Macquarie Bank Limited and Smorgon Steel Group Ltd and
Chairman of The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and
SMS Management and Technology Ltd. Age 64. 

Jeremy G A Davis BEc, MBA, MA, FAICD 
– Non-Executive Director
Professor Jeremy Davis holds the AMP Chair of
Management in the Australian Graduate School of
Management at the University of NSW and is the Chairman
of Gradipore Limited. His academic interests are in the
fields of business policy and corporate performance. He is 
a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Professor Davis is a former chairman of Capral Aluminium
Ltd, former vice-president and director of the Boston
Consulting Group, and a former director of the Australian
Stock Exchange, AIDC Ltd and Nucleus Ltd. Age 60.

Kimberley Edwards BE, MAdmin (Bus), FIE (Aust),
MAICD – Managing Director
Mr Kim Edwards has extensive experience managing 
major commercial and infrastructure projects in Australia,
UK and the Middle East. Prior to joining Transurban, he 
was General Manager - Projects for Transfield, and was
responsible for assembling the successful bid for the
Melbourne City Link Project. He was Project Director for
Jennings Group’s $650 million Southgate development in
Melbourne and has worked overseas on large port
infrastructure projects. Age 52.

Peter C Byers B Com (Hons) 
– Non-Executive Director
Mr Peter Byers is a director of Airport Motorway
Management Ltd, Hills Motorway Management Limited,
Hills Motorway Ltd, Foundation Capital Ltd and a director of
the Responsible Entity for Hills Motorway Trust. He is an
alternate director for Hancock Victorian Plantations Holdings
Ltd. He was formerly business manager and deputy
principal of the University of Tasmania, former director of
Adelaide Airport Ltd, the Blair Athol Group and a founding
director and chairman of the Investment Committee of the
Superannuation Scheme for Australian Universities. Age 62.

Geoffrey O Cosgriff BAppSc, Company Director
Diploma, FIE(Aust), FAICD – Non-Executive Director
Mr Geoff Cosgriff is an Executive Director for Logica CMG
Pty Ltd (Australian Subsidiary of UK listed company Logica
CMG) following the sale of the MITS business to Logica Pty
Ltd. Mr Cosgriff was the founding Managing Director of
MITS Limited when the company commenced operation in
1990. Over the intervening period, MITS grew to 600 staff
and nearly $100 million in sales of information technology
solutions. He is also a non-executive director of UXC
Limited, Skilltech Consulting Services and a Council
Member for Leadership Victoria. Previously Geoff held
executive management roles with Melbourne &
Metropolitan Board of Works and has had extensive
experience in the information technology industry. Age 50.

Susan M Oliver BP&C, MAICD 
– Non-Executive Director
Ms Susan Oliver is a director of Medical Benefits Fund,
Programmed Maintenance Services Ltd, Methodist Ladies
College Ltd and The Smith Family Ltd. She retired as chair of
Screen Sound Australia – The National Screen and Sound
Archive on 30 June 2003. Ms Oliver was formerly a Senior
Manager of Andersen Consulting. She has held board
positions with the Victorian Institute of Marine Sciences,
Interact Events Limited, FHA Design Pty Ltd and The Swish
Group Ltd. Ms Oliver was also Managing Director of the
Australian Commission for the Future Ltd. Age 52.

Geoffrey R Phillips BE (Chem), MBA, MAICD 
– Executive Director
Mr Geoffrey Phillips joined Transurban in 1996 and was
appointed Finance Director on 28 August 1998. Prior to
joining Transurban, he worked for the Potter Warburg Group
for 6 years as director in both the Corporate Finance and
Fixed Interest Divisions. He is currently a director of Yarra
Valley Water Limited. Age 59. 

David J Ryan B.Bus, FCPA, FAICD, AO 
– Non-Executive Director
Mr David Ryan was appointed director on 29 April 2003. 
He is Chairman of Residual Assco Limited, DJL Limited,
Tooth & Co Limited and Industrial Equity Limited. He is also
a director of ABC Learning Centres Limited and a member
of the Advisory Board of the Caliburn Partnership. Mr Ryan’s
experience covers commercial banking, investment banking
and operational business management in the transportation
services sector. From 1992 to 2002, Mr Ryan held various
senior positions in the Adelaide Steamship Group and from
1997 to 2002 he was the foundation Managing Director of
Adsteam Marine Limited. In this latter role, he built
Adsteam Marine into the largest towage operation in
Australia and the largest independent harbour towage
operator in the world. Age 51.

94

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report 

Meetings of directors

The numbers of meetings of the board of directors of CityLink Melbourne and each board committee held during the year
ended 30 June 2003, and the numbers of meetings attended by each director were:

Name

Directors’ Meeting

Audit Committee

Nomination & Remuneration
Committee

Risk Management
& Compliance

Eligible to attend

Attended

Eligible to attend

Attended 

Eligible to attend

Attended 

Eligible to attend

Attended

L G Cox

K Edwards1

P C Byers

G O Cosgriff 

J G A Davis 

S M Oliver

G R Phillips1

D J Ryan2

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

1

10

10

10

9

9

9

10

1

3

-

3

-

3

-

-

-

3

-

3

-

3

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

3

-

-

-

-

-

3

-

3

-

-

1K Edwards and G R Phillips are not members of the Audit and Nomination & Remuneration Committees, but have been in
attendance at all of these meetings. G R Phillips is not a member of the Risk Management & Compliance Committee but has
been in attendance at all meetings.

2D J Ryan was appointed as a non-executive director on 29 April 2003.

Directors’ interests

The following are particulars of directors’ interests in Stapled Securities and Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)
of the Transurban Group as at the date of this Directors’ Report in which directors of the Company have disclosed a relevant
interest.

Name

L G Cox

K Edwards

P C Byers

J G A Davis

S M Oliver

G R Phillips

G O Cosgriff

D J Ryan

Number of 
Stapled Securities

775,000

61,000

50,000

40,000

59,375

-

17,360

20,000

Options Over 
Stapled Securities

-

1,500,000

-

-

-

500,000

-

-

Number of CARS

4,000

348

-

150

-

-

121

300

Directors’ and executives’ emoluments

Directors receive their remuneration from Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited. This remuneration is disclosed in
that entity’s financial report and the financial report of the Transurban Group.

Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

95

directors’ report 

Details of the nature and amount of each element of the emolument of the sole executive officer of the combined entity is
set out in the following table.

Other executives of the combined entity

Name and
Position

Base Salary
$

Bonus
$

Superannuation 
$

Options(1)
$

Other Benefits
$

Total
$

B Bourke – CEO, CityLink 
Melbourne Limited

283,071

160,000

24,239

43,545

7,300

518,155

(1) No options were granted during the year over Transurban Group Stapled Securities. Option remuneration relates to options
granted to Directors and Executives in prior financial years. In accordance with Transurban Group policy, the total value of
the options issued through the Transurban Group Executive Option Plan have been previously disclosed as remuneration in
the 30 June 2001 and 30 June 2002 Directors’ Report. 

Pursuant to ASIC guidelines released in 2003 and ED 2 “Share Based Payments”, the amounts disclosed as remuneration in the
current year is that part of the total value of the options which is attributable to the current year portion of the vesting period. 

The options were valued as at grant date using a Black-Scholes derived option valuation model taking into consideration
the exercise price, the term of the option, the market price of Transurban Group Stapled Securities on the date of granting
the option, the expected price volatility of Transurban Group Stapled Securities, expected future distributions, the risk free
rate of interest over the term of the options and exercise conditions in relation to total shareholder return. 

Indemnification and insurance

Article 12.1 of the Articles of Association of the Company provides that to the extent permitted by law, each person who is or
has been an officer of the Company and the combined entity shall be indemnified against liability incurred by the person in his
capacity as an officer of the Company and the combined entity unless the liability arises out of conduct on the part of the
officer which involves a lack of good faith. The Company also indemnifies each person who is or has been an officer of the
Company and combined entity against liability for costs or expenses incurred by the person in his or her capacity as an officer
of the Company in defending civil or criminal proceedings in which judgment is given in favour of the person or the person is
acquitted or in connection with an application in which the Court grants relief to the person under the Corporations Act 2001.

In accordance with common practice, the insurance policy prohibits disclosure of the nature of the liability covered and the
amount of the premium.

Rounding of amounts to nearest thousand dollars

The combined entity is of a kind referred to in Class Order 98/0100 issued by the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission, relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the Directors’ Report. Amounts in the Directors’ Report have been
rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars in accordance with that Class Order.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors of CityLink Melbourne Limited.

Laurence G Cox AO
Chairman

Melbourne 27 August 2003

Kimberley Edwards
Managing Director

96

transurban annual report 2003

statement of financial performance
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Revenue from ordinary activities

Expenses from ordinary activities:

Operational costs

Administration

Concession Fees

Net Valuation adjustment on Concession Notes

Depreciation and amortisation

Borrowing costs

Loss from ordinary activities before income tax

Income tax on operating loss

Loss from ordinary activities after income tax

Notes

3

2003

$’000

389,234

(62,027)

(8,742)

(95,600)

62,896

(141,914)

(208,892)

(65,045)

-

(65,045)

2002

$’000

520,499

(54,766)

(22,569)

(95,600)

93,290

(112,045)

(466,400)

(137,591)

-

(137,591) 

Net increase in asset revaluation reserve

Total changes in equity other than those resulting from 
transactions with owners as owners

-

2,107,485

(65,045)

1,969,894

Basic earnings per Stapled Security

Diluted Earnings per Stapled Security

5

5

Cents

(12.8)

(12.8)

Cents

(27.0)

(27.0)

The above statements of financial performance should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes and discussion and analysis.

Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

97

2003

$’000

133,836

19,933

11,699

165,468

3,713,203

4,812

3,718,015

3,883,483

18,676

44,442

1,451

64,569

1,701,897

170,696

1,872,593

1,937,162

2002   

$’000  

129,396

28,419

11,692

169,507

3,842,398

660

3,843,058

4,012,565

43,534

130,214

1,059

174,807

1,620,169

139,923

1,760,092

1,934,899

1,946,321

2,077,666

261,071

(422,235)

2,107,485

1,946,321

327,371

(357,190)

2,107,485

2,077,666

statement of financial position
as at June 30 2003

Current Assets

Cash assets

Receivables

Other

Total Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Property, plant and equipment

Other

Total Non-Current Assets

Total Assets

Current Liabilities

Payables

Non-interest bearing liabilities

Provisions

Total Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Interest bearing liabilities

Non-Interest bearing liabilities

Total Non-Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

Equity

Contributed equity

Accumulated losses

Asset revaluation reserve

Total Equity

The above statements of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes and discussion and analysis.

98

transurban annual report 2003

statement of cash flows
for the year ended 30 June 2003

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers (inclusive of GST)

Payments to suppliers (inclusive of GST)

Interest received

Other revenue

Deposits refunded

Borrowing costs

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Loans to related parties

Loans from related parties

Repayment of loans by related parties

Repayment of loans to related parties

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

Payment of interest rate swap termination

Payment of premium on mezzanine debt termination

Repayment of borrowings

Loans from related parties

Repayment of loans to related parties

Repayment of lease liability

Distributions paid

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net increase in cash at bank and cash collateral

Cash at bank and cash collateral at the beginning of the financial year

Cash at bank and cash collateral at the end of the financial year

Less cash collateral

Cash at bank at the end of the financial year

2003

$’000

2002   

$’000

257,089

(93,486)

143,544

10,270

-

(204,176)

113,241

(11,887)

(44,699)

23,289

55,232

(34,241)

(12,306)

-

(90,573)
(20,750)

(1,618,872)

2,892,610

(1,192,610)

-

(66,300)

(96,495)

4,440

1,378,396

1,382,836

1,249,000

133,836

209,815

(79,320)

144,667

27,132

2,667

(242,507)

62,454

(11,675)

(16,270)

-

5,874

-

(22,071)

25,000

-

-

(20,237)

-

-

(434)

(19,952)

(15,623)

24,760

1,353,636

1,378,396

1,249,000

129,396

The above statements of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes and discussion analysis.

Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

99

discussion and analysis

Statement of financial performance 

Statement of financial position

The result for the year was a loss before tax of $65.0
million and represents the first full year of operations for 
the Melbourne CityLink Project since the Group’s restructure
in December 2001 and subsequent debt refinance finalised
in June 2002. 

The result for the year and that of the previous
corresponding period is not readily comparable as prior year
figures include the effects of:

Additional revenue attributable to the settlement
reached with the Transfield Obayashi Joint Venture 
of $153.6 million.

Recognition of $235.5 million of non-recurrent costs
associated with the debt refinancing. 

Depreciation expense associated with the revaluation of
the CityLink asset recognised during the year of $35.0
million representing the six-month period from the date
of revaluation (18 December 2001) to 30 June 2002. 
A full year’s depreciation on the revalued component is
$65.9 million.

Changes in the assumptions used to value the
Concession Note liability.

Taking into account the net effect of these adjustments, 
the comparative result for 2002 was a loss of $85.6 million.

Significant items that contributed to the improved result 
for the year include:

The combined effect of increased revenue resulting
from a 6.8 per cent increase in traffic volume for the
period and revenue from toll escalation provided for 
in the Concession Deed. 

An overall decrease in operating expenditure for the
year of $6.7 million. This decrease represents a
combination of successful cost reduction initiatives
introduced during the year and the impact of costs
associated with the restructure of the Transurban 
Group on the results of the prior year.
As part of the restructure a new entity called
Transurban Infrastructure Developments Limited (“TIDL”)
was incorporated to manage the development and
operational activities of the group. TIDL, in its capacity
as the management entity for the group, assumed all
management costs previously borne by the project. 
In exchange for assuming these costs TIDL charges
management fees to the project. 

The remaining contribution to the favorable result has
arisen from the net benefit in finance costs as a result
of the debt refinance completed in June 2002. 

The Projects net assets decreased during the period by 
6.3 per cent to $1,946.3 million representing an overall
decrease in total assets of $129.1 million and an increase 
in total liabilities of $2.3 million. 

The decrease in total assets for the period is principally
comprised of:

The diminution in the value of property, plant and
equipment relating to amortisation of the CityLink asset
and the associated revaluation component recognised
during the year ended 30 June 2002. Total depreciation
for the year was $141.9 million. Asset acquisitions
made during the period totalled $12.7 million comprised
mainly of e-Tags ($6.2 million) and major projects
undertaken during the year such as Automatic Incident
Detection System ($2.1 million) and Ground Water
Reuse Project ($1.9 Million).

Repayment of a short-term loan by Transurban
Infrastructure Developments Limited.

These decreases were in part offset by increased 
non-current prepayments of $4.2 million relating to costs
associated with the debt refinancing and increases to 
cash generated during the period of $4.4 million.

Total liabilities increased marginally during the period. This
increase belies the effect of the debt refinancing finalised
during the year, which significantly changed the Group’s
debt profile. Bond issues, totalling $1,190.0 million, were
made in the debt capital markets during the year to replace
the bridge facilities drawn as part of the refinancing of the
group’s debt of $1,700.0 million.

The new facilities represent the quantum of the non-current
portion of interest bearing liabilities at 30 June 2003. In the
comparative period interest bearing liabilities included a
$927.0 million syndicated bank facility, a $467.0 million CPI
bond facility and a $200.0 million Mezzanine Note facility.
The remainder represented a $25.0 million subordinated
debt facility drawn down in December 2001.

The current portion of non-interest bearing liabilities
decreased during the period, again a result of the debt
refinance, with swap obligations of $90.6 million and
mezzanine debt of $20.8 million being replaced by the new
facilities. The non-current portion of non-interest bearing
liabilities increased during the period to reflect the valuation
adjustment on concession notes for the year of $30.8 million.

Payables recognised at 30 June 2002 included $19.9 million
of trade creditors connected with the debt refinance.

■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
100

transurban annual report 2003

discussion and analysis

Statement of cash flows

Operating activities generated $113.2 million for the period,
compared to $62.5 million in the prior corresponding period.
However, these results are not readily comparable for the
following reasons:

The prior corresponding period includes: $11.5 million of
mezzanine debt interest due on 15 June 2001 but paid
on 31 July 2001; the payment of $22.5 million received
as part of the settlement with the TOJV; and $6.1
million in payments in connection with the refinancing.

The result for the current period includes payments of
$19.0 million made in connection with the refinancing, a
further $4.0 million received under the TOJV settlement
and $16.8 million due to a deferral of interest payments
as a result of changes to the interest payment schedule
as a result of the refinancing.

Capital expenditure for the period remains largely
unchanged. The main components of capital expenditure for
the year include new projects finalised during the year such
as the Automatic Incident Detection Project ($2.1 million)
and The Ground Water reuse project ($1.9 million) and road
improvements ($0.6 million). 

Cash flows from investing activities reflects the debt
refinance completed during the year which involved the
repayment of the groups existing borrowings (consisting 
of a $927.0 million syndicated bank facility, a $350.0 million
CPI Bond facility and a $200.0 million Mezzanine Note
facility) with a $510.0 million syndicated bank facility and
$1,190.0 million of bonds issued in the debt capital markets.
Excluding the effect of the debt refinance, the remaining
movement for the year is primarily due to Trust distributions. 

■
■
Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

101

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

1. Basis of preparation of concise financial report

The concise financial report has been prepared in accordance with Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial
Reports and applicable Urgent Issues Group Consensus Views and the Corporations Act 2001.

The Project Accounts consist of the aggregated concise statements of the combined entity comprising CityLink
Melbourne Limited and Controlled Entity (“the Company”) and The CityLink Trust (“the Trust”), not withstanding that
neither entity controls the other. The aggregated accounts incorporate an elimination of inter-entity transactions and
balances and other adjustments necessary to present the financial statements on a combined basis. The accounting
policies adopted in preparing the financial statements have been consistently applied by the individual entities
comprising the Project Accounts except as otherwise indicated.

The accounting policies adopted are consisted with those of the previous financial year.

2. Segment information

The Combined Entity’s sole business segment for the year ending 30 June 2003 was the operation of the Melbourne 
CityLink toll road. All revenues and expenses are directly attributable to this sole purpose and geographical location. 
The Combined Entity’s management structure and internal financial reporting are based on this single business segment.

3. Revenue     

Revenue from operating activities

Toll revenue

Fee revenue

Advertising revenue

Revenue from outside the operating activities

Interest

Other

Total revenue

2003

$’000 

2002

$’000 

223,162

7,923

3,378

234,463

151,604

3,167

154,771

389,234

201,335

7,426

3,231

211,992

153,352

155,155

308,507

520,499

102

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements 
for the year ended 30 June 2003

4. Distributions

Stapled Securities

Final distribution for 2002 financial year of 3.0 cents per fully
paid Stapled Security paid 2 October 2002.

Interim distribution for 2003 financial year of 10.0 cents 
(2002 – 2.25 cents) per fully paid Stapled Security paid
24 January 2003.

Equity Infrastructure Bonds (“EIBs”)

The final interest payment on EIBs issued by CityLink
Melbourne which was deferred from December 1999 of 
$9.0411 per “old” stapled security paid on 26 February 2002.

Total distributions paid

All distributions were paid in cash.

5. Earnings per share

Basic Earnings per Stapled Security

Diluted Earnings per Stapled Security

Weighted average number of Stapled Securities
used as the denominator in calculating basic
earnings per Stapled Security

Weighted average number of Stapled Securities
and potential Stapled Securities used as the denominator
in calculating diluted earnings per Stapled Security

6. Contingent liabilities

2003

$’000 

2002

$’000

15,300

-

51,000

11,475

-

66,300

8,277

19,752

(12.8 cents)

(12.8 cents)

(27.0 cents)

(27.0 cents)

510,000,001

510,000,000

510,000,001

510,000,000

In May 2003 VicRoads submitted an invoice to CityLink Melbourne Limited for costs of approximately $5 million for
rectification works associated with the Swan Street Bridge. CityLink Melbourne Limited does not believe that it has 
any liability to Vicroads to pay those costs. In June, VicRoads and the Minister for Transport (“the plaintiffs”) filed a 
writ in the Supreme Court of Victoria, claiming certain damage was sustained by the Swan Street Bridge. The plaintiffs
claim that this damage was due to tunnelling, roadworks and associated infrastructure works on and in the vicinity of 
the Swan Street Bridge, arising from the Melbourne CityLink Project. The entities forming the Transfield-Obayashi Joint
Venture are also defendants. The writ has not been served and therefore no litigation has been instituted. CityLink
Melbourne Limited is facilitating discussions between the parties.

Melbourne CityLink Project Concise Accounts

103

directors’ declaration
for the year ended 30 June 2003

The directors declare that in their opinion, the concise financial report of the combined entity for the year ended 30 June
2003 as set out on pages 90 to 102 complies with Accounting Standard AASB 1039: Concise Financial Reports.

The financial statements and specific disclosures included in this concise financial report have been derived from the full
financial report for the year ended 30 June 2003 of CityLink Melbourne Limited and The CityLink Trust.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors of CityLink Melbourne Limited.

Laurence G Cox AO
Chairman

Melbourne 27 August 2003

Kimberley Edwards
Managing Director

104

transurban annual report 2003

independent audit report

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

105

the financial report of transurban CARS trust
and controlled entity ABN 81 656 633 158

for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 june 2003

Directors’ report

Statement of financial performance

Statement of financial position

Statement of cash flows

Notes to the financial statements

Directors’ declaration

Independent audit report to the members

CARS holder information

106

109

110

111

112

123

124

125

Transurban CARS Trust is a Trust formed and domiciled in Australia.  
Its registered office and principal place of business is:

Transurban CARS Trust
Level 43 Rialto South Tower
525 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 

Through the use of the internet, we have ensured that our corporate
reporting is timely, complete, and available globally.  All press releases,
financial reports and other information are available on our website:
www.transurban.com.au

Transurban CARS Trust was formed on 20 December 2002 and therefore
has no comparative information.

106

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report 

Directors report

Review of operations

The directors of Transurban Infrastructure Management
Limited, the Responsible Entity of Transurban CARS Trust,
present their report on the consolidated entity consisting 
of Transurban Cars Trust (‘the Trust”), and the entity it
controlled at the end of, and during, the period ended 
30 June 2003.

Responsible Entity

Transurban CARS Trust is registered, as a managed
investment scheme under Chapter 5C of the Corporations
Act 2001 and, as a result, requires a Responsible Entity.
Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited is the
Responsible Entity of Transurban CARS Trust and is
responsible for performing all functions that are required
under the Corporations Act 2001. 

The following persons were directors of Transurban
Infrastructure Management Limited during the whole 
of the financial period and up to the date of this report:

Executive directors
Geoffrey R Phillips

Non-executive directors
Laurence G Cox
Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Jeremy G A Davis

David J Ryan, Susan M Oliver and Peter C Byers were
appointed non-executive directors on 29 April 2003 and
continue in office at the date of this report.

Principal activities and operations

The principal activity of the Trust is to invest in the Westlink
Motorway Partnership formed to undertake the Westlink 
M7 Motorway Project in Sydney NSW. 

Results

The performance of the consolidated entity, as represented
by the results of its operations, was as follows: 

(a)Construction Phase Loan Notes (“CPLN”)
During the period, Transurban CARS Trust’s (“TCT”) wholly
owned entity, Transurban WSO Trust (“TWT”) funded
Transurban’s contribution to the Westlink Motorway
Partnership by acquiring CPLN’s. The CPLN’s are
subordinated loan notes which pay interest to TWT at 
6.27 per cent per annum. All income received from CPLN’s
is distributed to TCT.

The income received by way of distribution from TWT is
the principal source of cash to fund distributions payable 
on the Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)
issued by TCT.

(b)Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)
During the period TCT raised $430 million through the 
issue of new securities called Convertible Adjusting Rate
Securities (“CARS”) to fund its contribution to the Westlink
M7 Project.

The securities were issued on 14 April 2003 at an issue
price of $100 per security and offer holders a cumulative
preferred distribution fixed at the rate of 7.0 per cent per
annum, paid semi-annually for the period to the first reset
date 14 April 2007. The distributions have a substantial tax
deferred component (expected to be 90 per cent) and will
generally convert into Transurban Group Stapled Securities
at a 2.5 per cent discount.

The CARS issue was fully underwritten by the Joint Lead
Managers and Underwriters Macquarie Equity Capital
Markets Limited and Salomon Smith Barney Australia
Securities Pty Limited.

Significant changes in the state of affairs

In the opinion of the Directors there were no significant
changes in the state of affairs of the consolidated entity that
occurred during the financial period under review other than
those described in the review of operations.

Matters subsequent to the end of the financial period

Revenue from ordinary activities

Net loss from ordinary activities

2003 

$’000 

9,762

(12,644)

At the date of this report the directors are not aware of any
circumstances that have arisen since 30 June 2003 that
have significantly affected or may significantly affect the
operations, and results of those operations or the state of
affairs, of the consolidated entity in financial years
subsequent to 30 June 2003. 

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

107

directors’ report 

Likely developments and expected results 
of operations

Information on likely developments in the operations of the
Trust and the expected results of operations have not 
been included in this report because the directors believe 
it would be likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to 
the Trust.

Insurance and indemnification

No insurance premiums are paid for out of the assets of the
Trust in regards to insurance cover provided to the
Responsible Entity or any of its agents. So long as the
officers of the Responsible Entity act in accordance with the

Trust Constitution and the Act, they remain fully indemnified
out of the assets of the Trust against any losses incurred
while acting on behalf of the Trust. The auditor of the Trust
is in no way indemnified out of the assets of the Trust. 

Fees paid to and interest held in the Trust by the
Responsible Entity or its associates

No fees were paid to the directors of the Responsible Entity
during the period out of Trust property.

The number of securities held by the Responsible Entity 
or its associates as at the end of the financial period are
disclosed in note 17 to the financial statements. 

Interests in the Trust issued during the financial period

Ordinary units on issue at the beginning of the period

Ordinary units issued during the period

Ordinary units on issue at the end of the period

CARS on issue at the beginning of the period

CARS issued during the period

CARS on issue at the end of the period

Value of assets

Value of Trust assets at 30 June

Consolidated

2003

Units

-

12

12

-

Parent

2002

Units

-

12

12

-

4,300,000

4,300,000

4,300,000

4,300,000

Consolidated

2003

$’000

441,316

Parent

2003

$’000

441,316

The value of the Trust’s assets is derived using the basis of accounting set out in Note 1 to the financial statements. 

108

transurban annual report 2003

directors’ report 

Directors’ interests

The following are particulars of directors’ interests in Stapled Securities and Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities 
(“CARS”) of the Transurban Group as at the date of this Directors’ Report in which directors of the Trust have disclosed a
relevant interest.

Name

Number of CARS

Number of Transurban

Options issued over

Stapled Securities

Transurban

Stapled Securities

L G Cox

P C Byers

J G A Davis

S M Oliver

G R Phillips

G O Cosgriff

D J Ryan

Rounding off

4,000

-

150

-

-

121

300

775,000

50,000

40,000

59,375

-

17,360

20,000

-

-

-

-

500,000

-

-

The Trust is of a kind referred to in Class Order 98/0100, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission,
relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the Directors’ Report. Amounts in the Directors’ Report have been rounded off in
accordance with that Class Order to the nearest thousand dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors of Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited.

Laurence G Cox AO
Chairman

27 August 2003

Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Director

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

109

statement of financial performance
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

Revenue from ordinary activities

Expenses from ordinary activities:

Administration

Borrowing costs

Net loss from ordinary activities

Basic earnings per ordinary unit

Diluted earnings per ordinary unit

Parent

2003

$’000

9,762

(667)

21,739

(12,644)

Notes

4

5

23

23

Consolidated

2003

$’000

9,762

(667)

(21,739)

(12,644)

Dollars

(1,053,666)

(1,053,666)

The above statements of financial performance should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

110

transurban annual report 2003

statement of financial position
as at 30 June 2003

Notes

Consolidated

2003

$’000

Current Assets

Cash assets

Receivables

Total Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Financial assets

Other

Total Non-Current Assets

Total Assets

Current Liabilities

Payables

Total Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Interest bearing liabilities

Total Non-Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

Unitholders’ Funds

Accumulated losses

Total Unitholders’ Funds

7

8

10

11

12

13

14

The above statements of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

Parent

2003

$’000

35,239

943

36,182

392,000

13,134

405,134

441,316

6,513

6,513

447,447

447,447

453,960

35,239

943

36,182

392,000

13,134

405,134

441,316

6,513

6,513

447,447

447,447

453,960

(12,644)

(12,644)

(12,644)

(12,644)

(12,644)

(12,644)

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

111

statement of cash flows
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

Notes

Consolidated

2003

$’000

Cash flows from operating activities

Payments to suppliers (inclusive of GST)

Interest received

Distributions received

Borrowing costs

Net cash outflow from operating activities

21

Cash flows from investing activities

(542)

9,658

-  

(20,268)

(11,152)

Parent

2003

$’000

(542)

500

9,158

(20,268)

(11,152)

Payment for purchase of controlled entity, net of cash acquired

Loans to related parties

Net cash outflow from investing activities

-

(392,000)

(392,000)

(392,000)

-

(392,000)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue CARS

Loans from related parties

Repayment of loans to related parties

Net cash inflow from financing activities

Net increase in cash held

Cash at the beginning of the financial period      

Cash at the end of the financial period

430,000

157,968

(149,577)

438,391

35,239

-  

35,239

430,000

157,968

(149,577)

438,391

35,239

- 

35,239

7

The above statements of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

112

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

(a) Basis of accounting
This general purpose financial report has been prepared in
accordance with Accounting Standards, other authoritative
pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board,
Urgent Issues Group Consensus Views, the Corporations Act
2001 and the Constitution dated 20 December 2002.

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets
and liabilities of all entities controlled by Transurban CARS
Trust (“trust” or “parent entity”) as at 30 June 2003 and the
results of all controlled entities for the period then ended.
Transurban CARS Trust and its controlled entity together are
referred to in this financial report as the consolidated entity.
The effects of all transactions between entities in the
consolidated entity are eliminated in full. 

Where control of an entity is obtained during the financial
period, its results are included in the consolidated statement
of financial performance from the date on which control
commences.

(b) Historical cost convention
The financial statements are prepared on the basis of the
historical cost convention and, except where stated, do not
take into account current valuations of non-current assets.
Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given 
in exchange for assets. The fair value of cash consideration
with deferred settlement terms is determined by discounting
any amounts payable in the future to their present value as
at the date of acquisition. Present values are calculated
using rates applicable to similar borrowing arrangements 
of the consolidated entity. 

The entity has not adopted a policy of revaluing its non-
current assets on a regular basis.

(c) Recoverable amount of non-current assets
The recoverable amount of an asset is the net amount
expected to be recovered through the net cash inflows
arising from its continued use and subsequent disposal. 
The expected net cash flows included in determining
recoverable amounts of non-current assets are discounted
to their present value using a market-referenced, risk-
adjusted discount rate. 

Where net cash inflows are derived from a group of assets
working together, the recoverable amount is applied to the
relevant group of assets. Where the carrying amount of a
non-current asset is greater than its recoverable amount 
the asset is revalued to its recoverable amount.

(d) Income tax
Income tax has not been brought to account in the financial
statements of the Trust as under the terms of the
Constitution and pursuant to the provisions of the Income
Tax Legislation, the Trust is not liable to income tax provided
that its taxable income (including assessable realised capital
gains) is fully distributed to unit holders. 

(e) Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are recognised as expenses in the period in
which they are incurred, except to the extent to which they
relate to the construction of a qualifying asset, and include:
Interest on short term, long term borrowings and
amotisation of deferred borrowing costs.

Costs incurred in connection with the arrangement of
borrowings are deferred and amortised over the period 
of the funding.

(f) Trade and other creditors
Trade and other creditors represent liabilities for goods and
services provided to the consolidated entity prior to the end of
the financial period and which are unpaid. The amounts are
unsecured and are usually paid within 45 days of recognition.

(g) Distributions
Provision is made for the amount of any distribution
declared, determined or publicly recommended by the
directors on or before the end of the financial period but 
not distributed at balance date.

(h) Joint venture partnership
The interest in the joint venture partnership is accounted for
using the equity method. Under this method, the share of
the profits or losses of the partnership is recognised in the
statement of financial performance, and the share of
movements in reserves is recognised in reserves in the
statement of financial position. Details relating to the
partnership are set out in note 19.

(i) Earnings per Unit
(i) Basic Earnings per Unit

Basic earnings per unit is determined by dividing the net
result from ordinary activities by the weighted average
number of units outstanding during the period.

(ii) Diluted Earnings per Unit

Diluted earnings per unit adjusts the figures used in the
determination of basic earnings per unit to take into
account the weighted average number of units assumed
to have been issued for no consideration in relation to
dilutive potential units.

■
Transurban CARS Trust financial report

113

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

j) Rounding of amounts
The Trust is of a kind referred to in Class Order 98/0100, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission,
relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the financial report. Amounts in the financial report have been rounded off in
accordance with that Class Order to the nearest thousand dollars.

2. Trust formation and termination

The Trust was established on 20 December 2002 through the issue of $12 of ordinary units to Transurban Holding Trust (“THT”).

3. Segment information

The Trust’s sole business segment for the period ending 30 June 2003 was investing in the Westlink Motorway Partnership.
All revenues and expenses are directly attributable to this sole purpose. Internal financial reporting is based on this single
business segment. 

4. Revenue

Revenue from operating activities

Interest

Trust Distributions

Revenue from ordinary activities

5. Operating loss from ordinary activities

Expenses

Borrowing costs

Interest and finance charges paid/payable

Consolidated

2003

$’000

9,762 

-

9,762

Parent

2003

$’000

604

9,158

9,762

21,739

21,739

21,739

21,739

114

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

6.

Income tax

Tax Losses at beginning of period

Tax Losses/(Income) for the period

Tax Losses at end of period

Consolidated

2003

$’000

-

13,204

13,204

Parent

2003

$’000

-

13,204

13,204

Potential future income tax benefits at 30 June 2003 for tax losses not brought to account for the consolidated entity are
$13.2 million. These losses cannot be used directly by the consolidated entity for the reason outlined in note 1d, but may be
available for the benefit of unit holders in the future.

Benefits of tax losses will only be realised for the benefit of security holders in the consolidated entity if:

(i)

the consolitated entity derives future assessable income of a nature and of an amount sufficient to enable the benefit
from the deductions for the losses to be realised;

(ii) the consolidated entity continues to comply with the conditions for deductibility imposed by tax legislation; and

(iii) no changes in tax legislation adversely affect the ability of the entity to realise the benefit from the deductions for 

the losses.

7. Cash assets – current assets

Cash at bank

Included in the above amount is $26.1 million which is held in a reserve account to fund 
future CARS distributions and was not available for general use at 30 June 2003.

8. Receivables – current assets 

Sundry debtors

9.

Investments accounted for using the Equity Method – non-current assets 

Interest in Westlink Motorway Partnership

The investment in the partnership is carried at cost of $80. Refer note 19 for details.

Consolidated

2003

$’000

35,239

35,239

943

943

- 

-

Parent

2003

$’000

35,239

35,239

943

943

-

-

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

115

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

10. Financial assets – non-current assets

Non traded investments

Units in controlled entity

Construction Phase Loan Notes

The investment in controlled entity represents 100% of the ordinary units 

of The Transurban WSO Trust (registered in Australia). 

11. Other – non-current assets

Deferred borrowing costs

12. Payables – current liabilities 

Trade creditors

CARS coupon payment

Other creditors

CARS coupon payment represents the first interest payment due to holders
of Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”). The distribution on
these securities of 7 per cent for the period 14 April to 30 June 2003
totalling $6.4 million has been charged to the statement of financial
performance as a borrowing cost because the CARS are classified as 
a liability. This coupon was paid to CARS holders on 31 July 2003. 

13. Interest bearing liabilities – non-current liabilities

Loan from related parties

Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)

Consolidated

2003

$’000

Parent

2003

$’000

-

392,000

392,000 

392,000 

-

392,000

13,134

13,134

13,134

13,134

23

6,350

140

6,513

23

6,350

140

6,513

17,447

430,000

447,447

17,447

430,000

447,447

116

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

Financing arrangements and credit facilities

Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)

$430 million raised via the issue of 4.3 million securities. Semi annual interest is paid at a fixed rate of 7 per cent per
annum until the first reset date on 14 April 2007. These securities are generally convertible into Transurban Securities at
a discount of 2.5 per cent and rank ahead of Transurban Stapled Securities on a winding up of Transurban in conjunction
with a winding up of Transurban CARS Trust. The interest payments are guaranteed by Transurban Holding Trust until the
first reset date, at which time the guarantee may or may not be extended.

14. Unitholders’ funds

a) Paid up shares

Fully paid

Consolidated

Parent

2003

Units

12

2003

$’000

-

2003

Units

12

The Trust has issued ordinary units to the value of $12.

2003

$’000

-

Parent

2003

$’000

-

(12,644)

(12,644)

-

Consolidated

2003

$’000

-  

(12,644)

(12,644)

-

(12,644)

(12,644)

Consolidated

2003

$

8,000

8,000

Parent

2003

$

8,000

8,000

b) Distribution

Undistributed income bought forward

Net loss from ordinary activities

Available for distribution

Distributions to unitholders

Undistributed loss carried forward

15. Remuneration of auditors

During the period the auditor of the parent entity and its 
related parties earned the following remuneration:

Audit or review of the financial reports

Total Remuneration

16. Contingent liabilities

As at the reporting date there are no contingent liabilities.

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

117

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

17. Related party information 

Directors

The name of persons who were directors of the Responsible Entity during the financial period are as follows:

Geoffrey R Phillips, Laurence G Cox, Geoffrey O Cosgriff, Jeremy G A Davis were directors for the entire period. 
David J Ryan, Susan M Oliver and Peter C Byers were appointed directors on 29 April 2003.

Transactions of directors and director-related entities concerning securities

Aggregate number of securities of Transurban CARS Trust and the Transurban Group acquired or disposed of by directors
of the Responsible Entity and consolidated entity or their director-related entities:

Acquisitions

CARS securities from the initial public offering

Transurban Group Stapled Securities(1)

Disposals

CARS securities from the initial public offering

Securities held

CARS

Transurban Group Stapled Securities

Transurban Group Options

2003

Number

5,671

40,100

1,100

4,571

961,735

500,000

(1)Includes 20,000 Stapled Securities held by Mr David J Ryan, which were acquired prior to his appointment as a 
director. 

Directors and their director-related entities received normal distributions on these securities. All transactions relating to
securities were on the same basis as similar transactions with other security holders.

118

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

Other transactions with directors and director-related entities

Mr Cox is a director of Macquarie Corporate Finance Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Bank Ltd), which
acted as underwriter of the initial public offering of the Transurban CARS Trust securities and provided a short term loan
to assist with the investment in Transurban WSO Trust.

The Responsible Entity is also the Responsible Entity for the Transurban Holding Trust which provides financial assistance
and acts as guarantor to the consolidated entity.

Aggregate amounts of each of the above types of other transactions with directors of the consolidated entity and their
director related entities:

Underwriting services

Guarantee fee

Interest

Loans

Consolidated

2003

$’000

7,208

8,000

6,118

Parent

2003

$’000

7,208

8,000

6,118

267,448

267,448

Aggregate amounts payable to director-related entities at balance date:

Interest bearing non-current liability

17,448

17,448

Other related parties

Aggregate amounts included in the determination of profit from ordinary 
activities before income tax that resulted from transactions with each class 
of other related parties:

CPLN’s interest revenue

Aggregate amounts receivable from other related parties balance date:

Non-current receivable

Wholly-owned group

9,158

392,000

-

-

The wholly-owned group consists of Transurban CARS Trust and its wholly-owned controlled entity, Transurban 
WSO Trust. Details of this controlled entity are set out in note 18.

Transactions between Transurban CARS Trust and the other entity in the wholly-owned group during the period ended 
30 June 2003, consisted of:

(a) Loans from Transurban WSO Trust

(b) Distribution paid to Transurban CARS Trust

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

119

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

Aggregate amounts included in the determination of profit from ordinary activities before income tax that resulted from
transactions with entities in the wholly owned group:

Distribution revenue

Controlling entities

The ultimate parent entity is Transurban Holding Trust.

18. Investments in controlled entity

Name of Entity

Transurban WSO Trust

Acquisition of controlled entity

Parent Entity

2003

$’000

9,158

Country of 

Class of 

Equity Holding   

Incorporation

Australia

Security

Ordinary

2003 %

100

On 20 December 2002 the parent entity acquired 100% of the issued capital of Transurban WSO Trust for $12. The
operating result of this newly controlled entity has been included in the consolidated statement of financial performance
since the date of acquisition.

19. Interest in joint venture

The consolidated entity has a 40 per cent interest in the Westlink Motorway Partnership. The principal activity of the
partnership is the construction of the Westlink M7 Motorway in Sydney. The M7 is presently in the construction phase
and is due for completion in 2007. The partnership will have no impact on the consolidated entity’s equity accounted
profits until the road operations commence following completion. 

Ownership

interest  

Name of partnership

Westlink Motorway Partnership

2003

%

40

2002 

%

-

Combined entity   

carrying amount    

2003 

$’000

5,888

2002   

$’000

-   

120

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

Share of partnership assets and liabilities

Current assets

Non-Current assets

Total assets

Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net assets

Share of profits

Share of partnership commitments

Capital commitments

20. Financial instruments disclosure

Credit risk

Consolidated

2003

$’000

Parent

2003

$’000

1,741

235,059

236,800

-

236,800

236,800

-

-

564,266

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognised if counterparties failed to perform as contracted.

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

121

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

Interest rate risk

The consolidated entity’s exposure to interest rate risk and the effective weighted average interest rate by maturity
periods is set out in the following table.

2003

Fixed Interest Rate Maturity

Floating

Interest

Rate

$’000

35,239

105

-

35,344

Financial assets

Cash

Sundry debtors

Note

7

8

Construction phase loan notes

10

Total financial assets

Weighted average interest rate

4.45%

Financial liabilities

Creditors

CARS

Loan from related parties

Total financial liabilities

Weighted average interest rate

Net financial liabilities

12

13

13

-

-

17,447

17,447

7.05%

17,897

1 year

between 1 more than

or less

to 5 years

5 years

$’000

$’000

$’000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

392,000

392,000

6.27%

-

430,000

-

430,000

7.00%

(38,000)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Reconciliation of net financial assets (liabilities) to net liabilities

Net financial liabilities as above

Non-financial assets

Deferred borrowing costs

Net liabilities per balance sheet

Non

interest

bearing

$’000

-

838

-

838

-

TOTAL

$’000

35,239

943

392,000

428,182

-

6,513

-

-

6,513

430,000

17,447

6,513

453,960

-

-

(5,675)

(25,778)

Notes

2003

$’000

(25,778)

11

13,134

(12,644)

Net fair values of financial assets and liabilities 

The carrying amount and net market value of financial assets and liabilities brought to account at balance 
date are the same.

122

transurban annual report 2003

notes to the financial statements
for the period 20 December 2002 to 30 June 2003

21. Reconciliation of net loss from ordinary activities to 

net cash outflow from operating activities 

Net loss from ordinary activities

Deferred borrowing costs

Change in operating assets and liabilities

Increase in creditors

Increase in debtors

Increase in loans from related parties

Net cash outflow from operating activities

22. Economic dependency

Consolidated

2003

$’000

(12,644)

(13,134)

6,513

(943)

9,056

Parent

2003

$’000

(12,644)

(13,134)

6,513

(943)

9,056

(11,152)

(11,152)

Transurban CARS Trust is reliant on the receipt of distributions from Transurban WSO Trust for its ongoing viability.

23. Earnings per unit

Net tangible asset backing per ordinary unit 

Basic earnings per unit

Diluted earnings per unit

Weighted average number of units used as the denominator in
calculating basic earnings per unit

Weighted average number of units and potential units used
as the denominator in calculating diluted earnings per unit

Information concerning the classification of units

(a) Units

Units are fully paid and have been recognised in the determination of basic earnings per unit.

Consolidated

($1,053,666)

($1,053,666)

($1,053,666)

12

12

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

123

directors’ declaration

The directors of Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited, the Responsible Entity for Transurban CARS Trust, declare
that the financial statements and notes set out on pages 109 to 122:

(a)  comply with Accounting Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting

requirements; and

(b)  give a true and fair view of the Trust and consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2003 and of their

performance, as represented by the results of their operations and their cash flows, for the financial period ended 
on that date.

In the directors’ opinion:

(a)  the financial statements and notes are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001; and 

(b)  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Trust will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due

and payable.

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors of Transurban Infrastructure Management Limited. 

Laurence G Cox AO
Chairman

Melbourne 27 August 2003

Geoffrey O Cosgriff
Director

124

transurban annual report 2003

independent audit report to the members

Transurban CARS Trust financial report

125

CARS holder information
The security holder information set out below was applicable as at 29 August 2003.

(a) Distribution of Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)

1. The number of holders of Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities, which are preference units in Transurban CARS Trust

(“TCT”), was 7,239.

2. The voting rights are one vote per security.

3. At 29 August 2003 the percentage of the total holdings held by or on behalf of the twenty largest holders of these

securities was 58.58 per cent.

4. The distribution of holders was as follows:

Share Grouping

Number of Holders

Securities Held

1 - 1,000

1,001 - 5,000

5,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 100,000

100,001 - and over

Total

7,065

127

12

29

6

7,239

1,158,222

261,301

87,376

1,076,465

1,716,636

4,300,000

%

26.94

6.08

2.03

25.03

39.92

100.00

There were 4,166 holders of less than a marketable parcel of preference units.

5. Substantial Holder notices have been received as follows:

Name

Number of Stapled Securities

Credit Suisse First Boston Australia (Holdings) Limited

455,244

% of Total

10.59

126

transurban annual report 2003

CARS holder information

(b) Twenty largest holders of Convertible Adjusting Rate Securities (“CARS”)

Westpac Custodian Nominees Limited

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

RBC Global Services Australia Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

National Nominees Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

RBC Global Services Australia Limited

Commonwealth Custodial Services Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Hastings Funds Management Limited

UBS Private Clients Australia Nominees Pty Limited

Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Woodross Nominees Pty Limited

ANZ Nominees Limited

Tower Trust Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

J B Were Capital Markets Limited

AMP Life Limited

Number of 

CARS Held

916,191

203,748

167,501

165,664

147,728

115,804

96,450

90,250

69,054

60,605

60,000

57,459

52,700

47,400

46,955

45,794

45,020

44,825

44,021

41,485

Percentage of

Issued CARS

21.31

4.74

3.90

3.85

3.44

2.69

2.24

2.10

1.61

1.41

1.40

1.34

1.23

1.10

1.09

1.06

1.05

1.04

1.02

0.96

Total

2,518,654

58.58

This page has intentionally been left blank.

This page has intentionally been left blank.

Enquiries and Information 

Enquiries About Your Stapled Securities 
The Stapled Securities Register is maintained by Computershare Investor Services Pty
Limited. If you have a question about your Transurban Securities, transfer of securities 
or distributions, please contact:

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited.
Level Twelve
565 Bourke Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000

Enquiries About Transurban 
Contact Transurban’s Investor Relations:

Manager, Investor Relations 
Telephone 61 3 9612 6999
Facsimile 61 3 9649 7380

Enquiries
(within Australia) 1300 850 505
(outside Australia) 61 3 9615 5970
Facsimile 61 3 9611 5710

Or write to:
Manager, Investor Relations 
Transurban Group 
Level 43 Rialto South Tower
525 Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000

Emails may be sent via our web-site: www.transurban.com.au

Stock Exchange Listing
The Stapled Securities are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the name
Transurban Group and under the code ’TCL’.

Transurban CARS Trust: The securities are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under
the name Transurban CARS Trust and under the code ‘TCS’.

The securities participate in the Clearing House Electronic Subregister System (“CHESS”).

Removal From Annual Report Mailing List
Security Holders can nominate not to receive an Annual Report by written notice 
to the Stapled Securities Register. Security holders will continue to receive all other
shareholder information, including Notice of Annual General Meeting and proxy form. 

Tax File Number (“TFN”) Information

While it is not compulsory for security holders to provide a TFN, the Company is obliged
to deduct tax from distributions or dividends to holders resident in Australia who have
not supplied such information. If you have not already supplied your TFN, you may do 
so by writing to the Stapled Securities Register.

Change of Address or Name
A security holder should notify the Register immediately, in writing, if there is any change
in her or his registered address or name.

5
5
2
8

4
5
6
9

)
3

1
6
(
T
N
U
O
M
A
R
A
P
4
1
9
6

 
 
 
 
 
www.transurban.com.au