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Vicinity Centres

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FY2020 Annual Report · Vicinity Centres
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Essential to our 
communities

Annual Report 2020

2020 Integrated Annual Report

Our vision is to reimagine destinations  
of the future, where people love to connect.

Inside

01  Highlights

02  Our Value Chain

04  Chairman’s Review

06 

 CEO and Managing Director’s Review

10 

 Our Operating and Financial Review

30  Our Data and Analytics

32  Our Communities

34  Our People

36  Our Board

39  Our Executive Committee

42  Tax Transparency

46 

 Sustainability Assurance Statement

49  Financial Report

50  Director’s Report

54  Remuneration Report

76  Financial Statements

129   Independent Auditor’s Report

136   Summary of Securityholders

137  Corporate Directory

About this report
This annual report is a summary of Vicinity Centres’ operations, 
activities and financial position as at 30 June 2020. In this 
report references to ‘Vicinity’, ‘Group’, ‘Company’, ‘we’, ‘us’  
and ‘our’ refer to Vicinity Centres unless otherwise stated.

References in this report to a ‘year’ and ‘FY20’ refer to the 
financial year ended 30 June 2020 unless otherwise stated.  
All dollar figures are expressed in Australian dollars (AUD) 
unless otherwise stated.

This Annual Report discloses Vicinity’s financial and non-financial 
performance for FY20 and has been prepared using elements  
of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) Integrated 
Reporting  framework. More information, particularly latest 
company announcements and detailed sustainability reporting, 
can be found on Vicinity’s website.

Vicinity is committed to reducing the environmental footprint 
associated with the production of the annual report and printed 
copies are only posted to securityholders who have elected to 
receive a printed copy. 

This report is printed on environmentally responsible paper 
manufactured under IAO 14001 environmental standards.

The following symbols are used in this report to cross-refer  
to more information on a topic:

References additional information within 
this Annual Report

References additional information available  
on Vicinity’s websites

Disclaimer
This report contains forward-looking statements, including statements, indications and guidance regarding future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on information available  
to Vicinity Centres as at the date of this report (19 August 2020). These forward-looking statements are not guarantees or predictions of future results or performance expressed or implied by the 
forward-looking statements and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Vicinity Centres. The actual results of Vicinity 
Centres may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Except as required  
by law or regulation (including the ASX Listing Rules), we do not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.

Cover image: Chadstone, VIC
Spread image: Chadstone, VIC

Our centres play an essential role and we  
take this responsibility seriously to ensure  
that our communities can continue to access 
what they need or want from our centres. 

In response to COVID-19, we have had  
a heightened focus on health and safety  
as well as the long-term success of  
Vicinity and our retailers. 

Highlights

No.1

400 million

A/A2

Chadstone, VIC has 
Australia’s highest 
moving annual turnover 
(MAT) for the 19th 
consecutive year1

Largest solar 
program

Australia’s largest 
shopping centre solar 
platform with 25.2MW 
installed across the 
managed portfolio 

Consumer visits 
annually

Investment grade credit 
ratings affirmed from 
S&P Global (Stable 
outlook) and Moody’s 
(Negative outlook)

Climate A-list

Included in CDP’s  
2019 Climate A-list 

€500 million

Transactions

Issued inaugural 
European medium 
term notes (MTNs) 
with €500m (A$812m) 
of 10-year notes at 
attractive pricing

Acquired 50% interest in 
Uni Hill Factory Outlets

Divested three non-core 
assets for $227m

Community 
support 

Contributed $5.6m to 
community investment, 
including $730,000 
towards national 
bushfire relief and 
recovery2 

1.  Big Guns Survey 2020.
2.   Includes direct cash donations to impacted communities and organisations supporting bushfire relief and recovery, in-kind contributions such as staff time  

and mall space, and foregone revenue.

01

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our business model
Leveraging 400 million consumer visits to more 
than 6,800 tenants across our Direct Portfolio 
to create long-term value for our stakeholders

e retail experie
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Asset a

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OUR
STRATEGY

Create market-leading 
destinations

Realise mixed-use 
opportunities

Leverage third-party 
capital

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TRANS A C T
Acquisitions and  d i v e s
t m e

n ts

Our Strategy and Business Prospects
Page 12

Our Value Chain

Our values
Creating a high-performance culture

We always 
collaborate

We embrace 
difference

We imagine 
a better way

Our resources
We evolve and optimise our resources  
to deliver on our strategy
• $14b in real estate 

• $9b invested from 15 capital partners

• 1,000+ team members

• 400m consumer visits

• 6,800+ retail partners

• Leading data capabilities and systems

• Growing and diverse communities

• Strong governance, brand and relationships

Engaging Our Stakeholders
Page 24

Data and Analytics
Page 30

Our People
Page 34

Our operating 
environment
We embrace opportunities and 
manage material risks present  
in our operating environment 
• Prevailing economic conditions

• Access to capital and investment opportunities

• Changing consumer preferences 

• Retail market performance and structural changes 

• Technological advancements and cyber security 

• Environmental and social factors including climate 

change and COVID-19

Our Management of Risk
Page 20

02

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
Our FY20 outcomes
Delivering on strategy

Curate
• Completed three developments: Hotel Chadstone, The Glen 

and Roselands

• Lodged major mixed-use development applications (DAs) for  

Box Hill Central and Bankstown Central and advanced planning 
on other key projects

• Completed asset enhancement projects at Northland,  

Victoria Gardens and Altona Gate

• Optimising and enhancing our retail mix

Operate
• Launched inaugural European MTNs with €500m 10-year 

issuance

• Maintained A and A2 credit ratings

• Included in CDP’s 2019 Climate A-list

• Announced Net Zero carbon target by 2030 for wholly-owned 

retail assets

• Delivering $22 of external value annually per $1 invested  

in Beacon Foundation programs since 2017

Transact
• Divested three non-core assets

• Acquired 50% interest in Uni Hill Factory Outlets

Capital Management
Page 19

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Communities
Page 32

Our People
Page 34

Improving Our Environment
Sustainability.vicinity.com.au

Our COVID-19 response
Consolidating Vicinity’s financial position 
while supporting our stakeholders

Our financial position
• Raised $1.2b of equity 
• Deferred all non-essential capital expenditure
• Total corporate and net property cost savings of $40m
• $950m of bank debt negotiations to enhance liquidity

Our people
• Focused on temporary stand-downs not redundancies 
• Provided access to a wide range of personal 

development activities, as well as physical, financial 
and mental health services 

• Facilitated extensive remote working
• Created Financial Hardship Committee 
• Accessed JobKeeper subsidy

Our communities 
• Provided uninterrupted access to essential goods  

and services 

• Driving high standards of hygiene and safety principles 

across our centres

• Established 12 COVID-19 testing clinics in centre  

car parks

• Created heat-mapping program to automatically trigger 

crowding alerts to centre teams

Our retailers
• ~1,700 short-term lease variations agreed in-principle  
to waive or defer rent, and negotiations continue on 
other leases

• Proactively assisted SCCA, which worked with 

government and industry, to develop the SME Code 
and COVID-19 Retail Recovery Protocol

• Created COVID-19 Retailer Handbook to assist with  

safe trading

• Reduced centre hours during government restrictions  

to assist retailers

• Regular communications on centre traffic, changes  
to operations and government assistance available

Chairman/CEO Review
Page 04

Our Management of Risk
Page 20

Our Portfolio
Page 26

03

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Chairman’s Review

Dear Securityholders,

It is my pleasure to present to you Vicinity Centres 
(Vicinity’s) 2020 Annual Report.

Building on the success of portfolio 
enhancement in prior years, our operational 
and financial performance continued to 
improve in the first half of FY20, and Vicinity 
entered the second half in good shape. 
However, early in 2020 we identified some 
impact on our centres from COVID-19 that 
was spreading into Australia. COVID-19 has 
created a major health, economic and social 
crisis and is impacting many businesses, 
including Vicinity.

For the 12 months to 30 June 2020, 
Vicinity reported a statutory net loss after  
tax of $1,801.0 million compared to a 
$346.1 million statutory net profit after  
tax for FY19. This result comprised  
primarily of funds from operations (FFO)1 of 
$520.3 million, down from $689.3 million 
in FY19, offset by a property valuation loss 
of $1,717.9 million (FY19: $237.1 million) 
and an impairment of goodwill of  
$427.0 million.

On a per security basis, FY20 FFO was 
13.7 cents, compared to 18.0 cents for 
FY19. FFO was impacted in the period by 
the effects of COVID-19, which included 
anticipated rental waivers to be provided 
to tenants, partly offset by cost saving 
initiatives implemented as part of  
Vicinity’s response to the pandemic. 

A range of corporate costs were reduced  
in the period, including temporarily standing 
down team members, cancellation of 
the FY20 Short Term Incentive award for 
all team members, and a reduction of 
Directors’ fees and Executive Committee 
salaries by 20% for three months.

Distribution per security was 7.7 cents 
for FY20, compared to 15.9 cents in the 
prior year. The Board determined that 
no distribution would be paid for the six 
months to 30 June 2020 due to the 
uncertain impacts of COVID-19.

As a leading Australian shopping centre 
owner and manager, with 400 million 
visitors to our 60 centres annually, our 
primary focus during the pandemic has 
been the health, safety and wellbeing of  
our employees, customers, and tenants, 
and the communities in which we operate. 

remained open for customers to access 
essential goods and services safely, and 
enabling our retailers to continue to operate 
their businesses safely.

During this year, we have focused on 
supporting our retail partners, using the 
principles of the SME Code2 to negotiate 
a combination of waivers and deferrals of 
rent for affected SME tenants. We have 
been negotiating in good faith with both 
our SME and non-SME retailers who have 
been impacted by COVID-19 to ‘share the 
burden’ and support them through these 
difficult times, while balancing the need  
to secure future cash flows for Vicinity.

Vicinity was an active participant in the 
shopping centre industry response, with a 
priority focus on the safety of the community 
and measures to ensure the long-term 
success of the retail industry.

I am proud of the efforts of our centre 
teams to mobilise quickly to maintain 
COVID-safe centres and stay abreast of 
the latest health advice to limit community 
transmission. We recognise the critical role 
our centres have in their communities, and 
the importance of maintaining safe and 
clean centres in order that customers may 
visit us with confidence. Our centres have 

We are grateful to have had access to the 
Federal Government’s JobKeeper wages 
subsidy programme, which has provided 
our business with a buffer to meet the 
unfolding challenges of 2020 relating to 
COVID-19. We also established Vicinity’s 
Financial Hardship Committee to help  
team members and their families through 
this challenging period.

1.   For a reconciliation of FFO to statutory net profit, refer to Note 1(b) to the Financial Statements. FFO is a non-IFRS measure.
2.  Federal Government’s SME Commercial Code of Conduct and Leasing Principles During COVID-19. SME = Small to medium sized enterprise.

04

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Roselands, NSW

Vicinity continues to be recognised as 
one of the most sustainable retail REITs 
globally. In January 2020, Vicinity was 
included in CDP’s 2019 Climate A-List, 
which recognises leading action on climate 
change. Vicinity was one of a small number 
of companies globally, and one of only four 
listed companies in Australia, to achieve 
this ranking.  

During the year, we continued to improve 
environmental efficiency across the 
portfolio, achieving a 12% reduction in 
energy intensity, and a 17% reduction  
in carbon intensity compared to our prior  
year performance3. Solar panel installations 
were completed across eight projects 
during the year, and we continue to meet 
our interim objectives towards our  
Net Zero 2030 carbon target4. 

During the year, we completed a 
comprehensive review of our procurement 
processes to understand how environmental, 
social and governance (ESG) considerations 
could be more deeply embedded. Based on 

this, we have a clear action plan aiming to 
reduce ESG risk in our supply chain, with a 
focus on modern slavery. We also continue 
to support social enterprises and Indigenous 
businesses, via procurement agreements 
and the provision of training, skills and 
employment opportunities to disadvantaged 
members in our communities. 

During August and September 2019,  
Vicinity held its second national jobs fair 
programme at 19 centres across our 
portfolio. These programmes have provided 
valuable job readiness training, interviewing 
and presentation skills to young people 
seeking roles in the retail sector.  

Lastly, I want to thank Peter Hay, who 
retired as Chairman of Vicinity in November 
2019, for his enormous contribution to 
Vicinity. Peter has been instrumental in 
Vicinity’s success and chaired the company 
since the merger in 2015.      

I am pleased to be working with such an 
exceptional Board and management team, 
and we are determined to succeed in an 
evolving retail environment in creating  
long-term value and sustainable returns  
for our securityholders. 

The 2020 Annual General Meeting will  
be held on 12 November 2020.

I would like to offer my heartfelt 
condolences to the family of Wai Tang, 
a Vicinity Director since the merger, who 
passed away during the year. Wai was  
a well-respected member of the Board  
and significantly contributed to the  
Board’s deliberations.

Trevor Gerber
Chairman 

In January 2020, Vicinity was included in CDP’s 2019 Climate A-List, 
which recognises leading action on climate change. Vicinity was one 
of a small number of companies globally, and one of only four listed 
companies in Australia, to achieve this ranking.

3.   Across comparable portfolio. Energy and carbon intensity reductions were 4% and 8% respectively for non COVID-19 impacted performance period  

(12 months to 29 February 2020), surpassing FY20 targeted 3% reduction for both energy and carbon intensity.

4.  For our wholly-owned retail assets. Consistent with global carbon measurement standards, this applies to common mall areas.

05

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020CEO and Managing 
Director’s Review

Dear Securityholders,

I am pleased to present the results and highlights for FY20.

FY20 has been an extraordinary year, 
marked by two remarkably different halves. 

In the first half, Vicinity achieved solid 
financial and operating performance and 
continued to strengthen the quality of the 
portfolio. The majority of the second half 
was significantly impacted by the effects  
of COVID-19 on our business and industry.

We continued nonetheless to enhance 
our portfolio throughout the year, divesting 
three non-core assets at a 0.4% discount 
to their combined book values; adding 
to our leading DFO portfolio with the 
acquisition of a 50% interest in Uni Hill 
Factory Outlets; completing development 
projects at The Glen and Roselands; and 
opening Vicinity’s first hotel at Chadstone. 

While retailers in our centres performed 
well over the first half of FY20, the 
COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted 
both the second half and full-year sales 
results. Government mandated and 
voluntary temporary closures of stores 
resulted in the store open rate falling to  
a low of 42% in early April 2020, during  
the initial peak of the pandemic, and  
this has affected the comparability of  
some sales reporting figures. Total moving 
annual turnover (MAT) growth 1 was -7.0%  
(FY19: +2.7%) and specialty and mini majors 
MAT growth was -10.3% (FY19: +3.1%). 

Specialty store productivity was $9,770 
(FY19: $11,083) and portfolio occupancy 
was 98.6% (June 2019: 99.5%).

Our national portfolio is recovering from 
COVID-19 to varying degrees. Customer 
visitation excluding Victoria and NSW,  
at the time of writing, is approaching 
pre-pandemic levels. This provides us with 
confidence in the eventual normalisation  
of visitation across all states. However,  
our near-term portfolio performance will  
be impacted significantly by the constraints 
on international and domestic travel, and 
the Stage 3 and 4 restrictions currently  
in place in Victoria. 

During the year, we made solid progress  
on two major mixed-use developments. 
First, we announced the master plan for  
a 5.5 hectare site in Box Hill in Victoria; 
three Development Applications (DAs)  
were lodged, including plans for a new town 
centre, 25-level office tower and 48-level 
residential tower. Second, at Bankstown 
Central in NSW, together with our co-owner 
Challenger, we released the master plan 
for an 11 hectare site in Bankstown’s CBD. 
Five DAs were lodged, including plans for 
two office buildings, a café and restaurant 
precinct, and 320 car spaces. Both the 
Box Hill and Bankstown master plans will 
be developed on a demand-led basis.

1.   Sales growth is reported on a comparable basis, which excludes divestments and development-impacted 

centres in accordance with Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) guidelines.

06

$2.1b 
liquidity

Well capitalised to 
respond to COVID-19 
and the evolving 
retail landscape

25.5% 
gearing

Gearing at 30 June 
2020 is at the lower 
end of our 25% to 
35% target range

50% 
interest

Acquired of Uni Hill  
Factory Outlets 
adding to our leading 
DFO portfolio

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020The Glen, VIC

The final stage of the major redevelopment 
at The Glen was completed in October 
2019, and the construction of three 
luxury residential towers on site by Golden 
Age Group is now close to completion. 
Settlement with residential purchasers 
is on track for December 2020, with the 
influx of new residents expected to be a 
meaningful contributor to future retail sales 
growth for the centre. Learnings from the 
integration of residential and retail uses 
will be used to enhance other mixed-use 
opportunities across our portfolio.

Due to the uncertainty arising from the 
COVID-19 pandemic, we have reviewed  
and reprioritised our development pipeline, 
and will follow this revised plan until 
economic conditions stabilise. This has 
resulted in the deferral of some projects, 
including the major redevelopment of 
Chatswood Chase Sydney. 

Vicinity’s 60 directly-owned retail properties 
were all independently valued as at  
30 June 2020, for the six-month period.  
This resulted in a net valuation decline 
of $1.8 billion2 or 11.4%. This principally 
reflects the impact of COVID-19, including 
increased allowances for vacancy, 

Our highest priority through these challenging 
times, is the health, safety and wellbeing of 
everyone who works in or visits our centres, 
our broader team and our communities. 

downtime and leasing capital, and lower 
market rental growth. The Flagship 
portfolio, which includes Chadstone, 
Premium CBD assets and DFOs, recorded 
a lower 9.1% net valuation decline, with 
the Core portfolio recording a valuation 
decrease of 13.7%. 

Despite the valuation decline across the 
portfolio, Vicinity’s balance sheet remains 
strong, due to a range of key measures 
which have been implemented. These 
include the $1.2 billion equity raising3 in 
early June 2020, $950 million of new and 
extended bank facilities, and the deferral 
or reduction in operating and capital 
expenditure. Gearing at 30 June 2020  
is 25.5%, at the lower end of our 25%  
to 35% target range, we have total  
liquidity of $2.1 billion, and well-diversified 

funding sources. We have retained our strong 
investment-grade credit ratings of A/stable  
(Standard & Poor’s) and A2/negative 
(Moody’s). Collectively, these initiatives 
mean we are well placed to respond in 
FY21 as economic conditions evolve.

We are not in a position to provide  
earnings and distribution guidance for  
FY21 as it would not be reliable given the 
current uncertain circumstances. We will 
continue monitoring trading conditions  
and will provide further updates to the 
market as appropriate.

Our highest priority during these challenging 
times, is the health, safety and wellbeing of 
everyone who works in or visits our centres, 
our broader team and our communities. 

2.   30 June 2020 valuations and valuation movements reflect independent valuations as announced to ASX on 24 July 2020, less $24.5 million of additional 

allowances made for Victorian assets as a result of the increase in COVID-19 cases observed in Victoria in late June 2020. Refer to Note 4(c) to the  
Financial Statements for further information. Vicinity ownership interest. Net valuation movements, which exclude statutory accounting adjustments.

3.  Comprised of a $1.2 billion institutional placement (Placement) and a securities purchase plan (SPP) which raised an additional $32.6 million.

07

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020CEO and Managing Director’s Review continued

I would like to thank the entire Vicinity 
team for their exceptional effort this year.  
It has not been easy. We regret the full  
or partial stand down of many Vicinity  
team members during this challenging 
time, and look forward to the resumption  
of regular working arrangements. 

Nick Schiffer joined us as Chief Financial 
Officer in September 2019. As a former 
investment banker, Nick’s skills have been 
invaluable including for our successful 
equity raising in June 2020.    

We also welcome Tanya Southey who 
commenced as Chief People and Culture 
Officer in October 2019. With her 

extensive experience in human resources, 
transformation and executive coaching  
we are pleased to have attracted someone 
of Tanya’s calibre to Vicinity.

We are confident our centres will continue 
to be focal points within their respective 
communities. Our team is working hard  
to ensure Vicinity is well positioned to 
provide long-term sustainable growth  
for our securityholders. 

I would like to take this opportunity to 
thank Peter Hay, who retired as Vicinity’s 
Chairman in November 2019, for his 
counsel and outstanding contribution  
to Vicinity since its formation in 2015. 

I would also like to thank our Chairman, 
Trevor Gerber, for his invaluable 
contribution to Vicinity. I look forward  
to working with Vicinity’s Board and team 
in successfully navigating the current 
uncertain times. I remain confident in  
the long-term outlook for Vicinity and  
our continued ability to adapt to an  
ever-changing retail environment.

Grant Kelley 
CEO and Managing Director

Chadstone, VIC

08

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020We are confident our 
centres will continue 
to be focal points 
within their respective 
communities. Our 
team is working hard 
to ensure Vicinity is 
well positioned to 
provide long-term 
sustainable growth for 
our securityholders. 

Northland, VIC

09

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review

We are pleased to present our operating and financial review for the 2020 
financial year (FY20). It sets out Vicinity’s strategy, achievements, objectives 
and outlook. It also outlines the key risks and opportunities for our business 
model in the context of Vicinity’s value chain.

About Vicinity
Vicinity’s real estate portfolio spans 
Australia, being primarily concentrated in the 
metropolitan areas of the major state capital 
cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth 
and Adelaide. At 30 June 2020, we had 
64 retail assets under management, with 
a combined value of $23.6 billion, which 
generated $15.9 billion in annual sales 
from 7,300 tenants across 2.6 million sqm 
of gross lettable area (GLA). Vicinity has an 
ownership interest in 60 of these assets, 
taking the value of its Direct Portfolio to 
$14.1 billion. The operating and financial 
review principally focuses on the performance 
of the Direct Portfolio, which generates the 
majority of Vicinity’s total income.

Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 has had, and continues to have,  
a significant and broad-reaching impact  
on communities and businesses globally.

Measures implemented by government 
authorities to combat COVID-19 have 
impacted Vicinity’s operating and financial 
performance during FY20 and are 
expected to continue to impact Vicinity’s 
operating and financial performance. These 
government measures including ‘stay at 
home’ directives and mandatory closure 
of some retail stores led to a reduction of 
foot traffic across Vicinity’s portfolio during 
FY20, prompting significant voluntary retail 
store closures and adversely impacting 
Vicinity’s income and portfolio valuations 
for that period. 

In addition, there are macro-economic 
factors related to the COVID-19 recovery 
which are beyond the control of Vicinity 
that may affect its financial performance: 

unemployment, underemployment and  
lack of wages growth, low consumer 
confidence and retail spend, domestic and 
international travel restrictions and policy 
changes to immigration intake. Subsequent 
outbreaks that are not contained by 
localised management might further impact 
Vicinity’s business operations.

As restrictions have lifted and the level 
of new COVID-19 infections has declined 
across most states, there has been a 
progressive uplift in customer visitation 
in Vicinity’s centres, but this still remains 
below pre-COVID-19 levels. The potential 
for further spikes in infections and 
subsequent government measures in 
response to those infections, as evidenced 
in Victoria in July and August 2020, remain 
a key factor that could influence Vicinity’s 
operating performance throughout FY21 
and beyond.

Vicinity continues to negotiate short-term 
waivers and deferrals of rent payable 
by eligible SME tenants in accordance 
with the principles set out in the Federal 
Government’s Commercial Code of Conduct 
and Leasing Principles During COVID-19 
(the ‘SME Code’), as legislated by each 
of the jurisdictions within which Vicinity 
operates, and to negotiate with affected 
non-SME tenants based on their individual 
circumstances. Where rental relief is being 
negotiated, lease extensions are also sought 
where appropriate. Vicinity expects rental 
receipts to improve as stores re-open and 
foot traffic increases and lease negotiations 
are concluded; however, the timing of the 
stabilisation of rental income remains 
uncertain and continues to be influenced 
by the level of COVID-19 infections and 
government response at state and federal 
level. Again, the conclusion of these  

short-term lease variations and rental 
receipts will be impacted by circumstances 
such as those observed in Victoria in July 
and August 2020.

COVID-19 has also seen a deterioration in 
the financial position of many retailers and 
while there are positive signs of recovery 
across many states, the potential remains 
for increased rental arrears, retailer 
restructures, administrations, vacancies 
and changes in leased areas of stores.

Vicinity has undertaken a number of 
measures to reduce its operating costs and 
to strengthen its balance sheet to navigate 
the uncertain and evolving retail landscape. 
These measures include reduction or 
deferral of variable or non-critical capital 
and operating expenditure, stand-down 
of employees, cancellation of the FY20 
Short Term Incentive awards for all team 
members, extension of bank facilities and 
the raising of additional equity capital.

The safety, health and wellbeing of our 
team members, customers, retailers and 
the broader community remains Vicinity’s 
highest priority and operational measures 
have been implemented throughout 
COVID-19 to try and minimise the impact of 
the virus, in line with government directives.

Financial Review
Page 15

Our Management of Risk
Page 20

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Data and Analytics
Page 30

Our People
Page 34

10

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Queen Victoria Building, NSW

11

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Strategy and business 
prospects
Vicinity’s strategy remains focused on 
delivering long-term sustainable growth 
from a portfolio of market-leading 
destinations, realising retail-led mixed-use 
development opportunities and leveraging 
third-party capital. 

Vicinity’s business is directly influenced 
by its external environment and FY20 
was a year of two distinct halves. Vicinity 
delivered solid results in the first half 
through continued execution of strategy, 
while the second half has been materially 
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  
Our focus in the second half has been  
to address the immediate and likely 
impacts of COVID-19 on our business,  
our retailers and our communities. 

• strengthen Vicinity’s balance sheet, and 

• provide the flexibility to respond to the 

uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and the 
evolving retail landscape.

Our strategy is underpinned by a Direct 
Portfolio of high-quality destination assets 
which deliver 400 million consumer visits 
annually to our more than 6,800 tenants. 
Our destinations play an essential role in 
their communities, providing a wide range 
of non-discretionary and discretionary  
retail, dining, leisure, entertainment and 
services to deliver engaging experiences  
for our consumers.

Our deep experience in asset management 
and data analytics enables us to operate 
efficiently and to curate our assets to create 
an attractive offering for our consumers.

While the full future impact of COVID-19 
remains uncertain, Vicinity is well positioned 
with a clear strategy and flexibility over the 
method and timing of its delivery. In June 
2020, Vicinity took decisive action to raise 
$1.2 billion in equity in order to:

We own key assets located in prime CBD and 
metropolitan areas, with many close to major 
transport links and on significant land parcels. 
A number of these assets have significant 
opportunities to add alternate property uses 
on site. In line with metropolitan planning 

strategies, developing mixed-use destinations 
will help to create communities of the future 
where the many facets of life including work,  
shopping, education, health and social time,  
are likely to be undertaken closer to home.  
In addition to realising direct value for 
securityholders, mixed-use additions may 
also enhance the performance of the 
existing retail offer on site. 

Leveraging third-party capital enables us to 
efficiently execute our strategy and to use 
our leading asset and funds management 
capabilities to generate fees while delivering 
on the mandates of our like-minded partners.

Our sustainability objectives are integrated 
into everything we do. They guide how  
we invest in our communities and help 
build a low-carbon and climate-resilient 
portfolio. Through this approach we aim  
to create sustainable destinations and 
shape better communities.

Our Value Chain
Page 02

Our Business and Strategy
sustainability.vicinity.com.au

FY20 achievements and FY21 focus

Real estate 

FY20 achievements
• Divested three non-core assets for $227 million at a 0.4% discount to book value
• Acquired 50% interest in Uni Hill Factory Outlets for $68 million
• Completed major redevelopment at The Glen, Hotel Chadstone and fresh food 

market hall at Roselands

• Lodged major mixed-use DAs for Box Hill Central and Bankstown Central 
• Introduced Australian-first Fortress Esports at Emporium Melbourne 
• Completed strategic remixing and ambience upgrades at Victoria Gardens,  

Altona Gate and Colonnades

• Enacted crisis management protocols and actively responded to evolving  
health authority advice on public space management during COVID-19

• Reached in-principle agreement for approximately 1,700 COVID-19 related  

short-term lease variations 

• Announced Net Zero carbon target by 2030(a)
• Completed NABERS Energy and Water ratings for entire rateable portfolio
• Reduced portfolio carbon intensity by 17% from previous year(b),(c)
• Achieved portfolio waste recycling rate of 49% (surpassing target of 47%)

Capital

• Inaugural Euro issuance of €500 million (A$812 million) of 10-year medium term 

notes at attractive pricing

• Negotiated $2.7 billion of new and extended bank debt facilities
• Deferred all non-essential capital expenditure
• Raised $1.2 billion in equity to strengthen balance sheet and respond to COVID-19 

and the evolving retail landscape 

• Investment-grade credit ratings of ‘A’ from S&P and ‘A2’ from Moody’s affirmed with 

stable and negative outlooks respectively

• Included in CDP’s 2019 Climate A-list, recognising leading action on climate change 

FY21 focus
• Complete remaining short-term 

lease amendments for impacted 
tenants and stabilise rental income 

• Remain responsive to changing 
environment through COVID-19
• Complete expansion at Ellenbrook 
Central including new Kmart store
• Complete luxury remix at QueensPlaza
• Progress planning on retail and 

mixed-use development projects  
to prepare for commencement 
when appropriate

• Achieve FY21 environmental 
efficiency targets, including a  
3% reduction in energy/carbon 
intensity and 51% recycling rate

• Optimise the cost of debt, while 
appropriately managing debt 
diversity and market risk

• Given limited near-term expiries, 

managing the expiry profile  
post FY22

12

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020People

Data and 
systems

FY20 achievements
• Commenced delivery of high-performance culture framework and initiatives
• Provided a ‘people first’ approach to COVID-19, which included safety,  

wellbeing and increased communications, engagement and support, and  
which resulted in a company confidence score of 82% (June 2020)

• Overall employee engagement score of 64%
• Adopted an early and agile approach to working options during COVID-19, 

including remote working and the use of scaled back staffing arrangements  
at our centres

• Regularly surveyed our people during our response to COVID-19
• Reduced immediate impact of COVID-19 on our workforce through access  

to JobKeeper subsidy

FY21 focus
• Continued focus on delivery  
of high-performance culture

• Efficiency and alignment between 

functions through enhanced  
ways of working

• Delivery of a future workplace 

strategy

• Increased focus on talent  

and capability

• Focus on diversity, inclusion  
and belonging in particular  
with COVID-19 impacting  
working arrangements

• Retailer recommendation tool(d) developed and rolled out across portfolio for  

• Ongoing development of the retailer 

all new leasing deals

• Daily reporting and analysis of traffic and store opening data informing decision-

making during COVID-19

• Created industry-first automated heat-mapping program to trigger low, medium  
and high traffic alerts for centre teams to be able to adhere to social distancing  
in real-time

• Delivery of an Analytics and Insights platform for our retail partners
• With more people working from home, increased communications and phishing 

testing to strengthen Vicinity’s cyber security during COVID-19

recommendation tool including 
capture of value for adjacent 
applications across Vicinity

• Deeper analysis of our consumer 
database to develop bespoke 
shopper categories to better tailor 
our engagement with them

• Capturing and analysing building 
management system data to 
drive further efficiencies in centre 
operations 

• Create automated and machine 
learning tools to replace manual  
or inefficient processes 

Community

• Invested $5.6 million in our communities, including $730,000 contributed  

• Maintain heightened health and 

to support bushfire relief and recovery 

safety protocols across our portfolio 

• Progressed commitments to indigenous community under our Innovate 

• Review our corporate partnerships 

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

• $4.0 million spent with social enterprises over a three-year period to June 2020(e), 

surpassing our cumulative target of $3.9 million

• Kept portfolio effectively fully open to maintain access to essential goods  

and services for our communities 

• Established 12 COVID-19 testing clinics in centre car parks 

through which to deliver our 
community investment program 
focus on disengaged and 
unemployed youth

• Implement FY21 Innovate RAP 

initiatives

Governance, 
brand and 
relationships

• Established and commenced implementation of Responsible Procurement  

Action Plan with a focus on modern slavery 

• Maintaining strong relationships with 
our retailers and our communities

• Increased frequency of meetings of Board and crisis management, 

• Continue to implement the 

communications and finance teams throughout COVID-19 

Responsible Procurement Action Plan

• Proactively assisted SCCA, which worked with government and industry,  

• Continue to support our retailers 

to develop the SME Code and COVID-19 Retail Recovery Protocol

• Created COVID-19 Retailer Handbook to support retailers in reactivating  

their businesses post closures and to trade safely and in line with  
government directives

through COVID-19 and the  
recovery phase

(a) For our wholly-owned retail assets. Consistent with global carbon measurement standards, this applies to common mall areas.
(b) Per sqm on a comparable portfolio basis (excluding acquisitions, divestments and development-impacted centres). 
(c) Carbon intensity reduction was 8% for non COVID-19 impacted performance period (12 months to 29 February 2020) surpassing target of 3%.
(d) Refer to Our Data and Analytics on page 30 for more information.
(e) The spend reported for FY18 and FY19 has been adjusted to include outstanding invoices paid to suppliers for work completed during those periods. 

13

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Our performance 

Key performance metrics 

Financials
Statutory net profit/(loss) after tax ($m)(a)
Funds from operations per security (cents)(a),(c)
Distribution per security (cents)(a)
Comparable net property income growth (%)(a),(d)
Total return (%)(a)
Total securityholder return (%)(a)
Portfolio
Number of retail assets(b)
Occupancy rate (%)(b)
Total moving annual turnover MAT(a) ($b)
Specialty MAT/sqm(b),(e) ($)
Occupancy cost (%)(b)
Weighted average capitalisation rate (%)(b)
Net promoter score
Balance sheet
Total assets ($b)(b)
Net tangible assets per security ($)(b),(f)
Net asset value per security ($)(b)
Debt
Gearing (%)(b),(g)
Weighted average cost of debt (%)(a),(h)
Debt duration (years)(b),(i)
Proportion of debt hedged (%)(b)
People
Employee engagement score (%)(b),(j)
Women in leadership (%)(b),(k)
Sustainability
Community investment ($m)(a),(l) 
Green Star – Performance portfolio rating (Stars)(b),(m)
NABERS Energy rating (Stars)(n)
NABERS Water rating (Stars)(n)
Energy intensity (MJ)(a),(o) 
Carbon intensity (kg CO2-e)(a),(o)
Waste diversion rate (%)(a)

30-Jun-20

30-Jun-19

30-Jun-18

30-Jun-17

30-Jun-16

Page

(1,801.0)
13.7
7.7
n.r.(p)
(18.9)
(39.9)

60
98.6
15.0
9,770

n.r.(p)

5.47

31(q)

15.2
2.29
2.33

25.5
3.6
5.2
89

64
45

5.6
4
3.9
3.4
270
58.5
49

346.1
18.0
15.9
1.5
3.7
0.6

62
99.5
16.5
11,083
15.0
5.30
33

17.0
2.92
3.07

27.1
4.5
4.1
89

68
37

3.1
4
3.5
3.1
298
67.9
45

1,218.7
18.2
16.3
1.0
11.1
7.0

74
99.7
16.9
10,133
14.7
5.36
39

17.5
2.97
3.13

26.4
4.3
4.4
86

73
35

4.3
3
3.6
3.1
300
69.1
43

1,583.6
18.0
17.3
2.5
15.5
(17.7)

74
99.5
16.2
9,429
14.6
5.61
n.r.

16.7
2.82
2.97

24.7
4.2
5.3
90

71
36

3.7
3
3.7
3.2
305
70.9
36

960.9
19.1
17.7
3.5
12.8
20.4

81
99.4
16.7
8,865
14.6
5.95
n.r.

15.8
2.59
2.74

25.9
4.0
5.3
91

66
31

1.7
2
3.4
2.9
323
77.0
35

16 
16 
16 

60
60

26
26
26
26

91

18
18
18

18

19

33
33
33

Note: Data reported for prior years in the table is as disclosed in prior annual reporting, unless otherwise noted. 
Sustainability Reporting Criteria available here: sustainability.vicinity.com.au/section-menus/learn-more/
(a) For the 12 months to 30 June.
(b) As at 30 June.
(c)  Refer to the Financial year in review section on page 15 for the definition of FFO which is a non-IFRS measure.
(d)  Excludes acquisitions, divestments and development-impacted centres and is calculated on a like-for-like basis versus the prior corresponding period.
(e)  Comparable. Excludes divestments and development-impacted centres in accordance with SCCA guidelines.
(f)   Calculated as Balance Sheet net assets less intangible assets, divided by the number of stapled securities on issue at period end. Includes all right of use assets 

and net investments in leases.

(g)   Calculated as drawn debt at Note 8(a) of the Financial report, net of cash and cash equivalents, divided by total tangible assets excluding cash and cash equivalents, 

right of use assets, net investments in leases, investment property leaseholds and derivative financial assets.

(h)  Average for prior 12 months and inclusive of margins, drawn line fees and establishment fees.
(i)  Based on facility limits.
(j)   The FY20 employee engagement score was sourced as part of an unattributed COVID-19 pulse survey open for four business days during which time 67% of the 

employee population was either partially or fully stood down.

(k)   FY20 includes female ‘other executives/general managers’, ‘senior managers’ and ‘other managers’ as aligned to Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) categories, 
whereas prior periods do not include the ‘other managers’ category. Including the ‘other managers’ WGEA category in FY19 would take ‘Women in leadership’ for 
that period to 43%.

(l)   The total community investment spend has been calculated using the London Benchmark Group (LBG) framework and includes foregone revenue and fund-raising activities.
(m) Managed portfolio.
(n)   Based on Vicinity’s ownership interest as at 31 December 2019. Includes 86% of rateable area for energy and 85% of rateable area for water. FY20 ratings covering 

100% of our rateable portfolio will be reported via sustainability.vicinity.com.au when available.

(o)   Calculated on a per sqm basis and reported for the full 12 months to 30 June. Reduced operating hours due to COVID-19 during March to June 2020 has  

impacted performance. Energy intensity was 290 MJ/sqm and carbon intensity was 63.5 kg CO2-e for non COVID-19 impacted performance period (12 months  
to 29 February 2020). 

(p)  Not reported. Deemed not comparable for reporting due to COVID-19 impact.
(q)  Surveyed in October 2019.

14

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Galeries, NSW

As COVID-19 appeared to be contained, 
in April 2020, restrictions started to ease, 
closed retailers started to re-open and 
centre visitation improved. Continued 
restrictions on domestic and international 
travel, and workers delaying return to CBD 
offices, resulted in a prolonged recovery 
profile for assets more reliant on these 
consumer segments, principally Chadstone, 
the DFOs and our Premium CBD assets. 
Other Vicinity assets had retail activity 
return to, or close to, pre-COVID levels 
towards the end of the financial year. A 
resurgence in COVID-19 cases in Victoria 
from late June 2020 will have a material 
impact on the performance of Vicinity’s 
Victorian assets into FY21. 

In response to the impacts of COVID-19 
and to assist with managing the uncertainty 
of its future impacts, Vicinity undertook a 
range of initiatives to enhance liquidity and 
reduce operating costs. These included:

• raising equity, comprising a $1.2 billion 

Placement and $32.6 million SPP 
(finalised July 2020)

• negotiated $950 million of new and 

extended bank debt facilities during the 
early stages of COVID-19 to increase 
short-term liquidity

• deferred all non-critical capital expenditure 

including development projects

• reduced hours for 70% of team members 

from 21 April to 30 June 2020

Financial year in review
Funds from operations (FFO) and adjusted 
funds from operations (AFFO) are two key 
measures Vicinity uses to measures its 
operating performance. FFO and AFFO are 
widely accepted measures of real estate 
operating performance. Statutory net profit 
is adjusted for fair value movements and 
certain unrealised and non-cash items to 
calculate FFO. FFO is further adjusted for 
maintenance capital expenditure and static 
tenant leasing costs incurred during the 
period to calculate AFFO. FFO and AFFO  
are determined with reference to the 
guidelines published by the Property 
Council of Australia (PCA) and are  
non-IFRS measures.

Impact of and response  
to COVID-19
COVID-19 has had a significant impact 
on Vicinity’s financial position and 
performance during FY20. 

As COVID-19 case numbers began to 
increase across Australia, centre visitation 
reduced across our portfolio and the 
Federal Government introduced a number 
of public health initiatives in March and 
April 2020. These included ‘stay at home’ 
directives, mandatory business closures 
(including some tenants within Vicinity’s 
portfolio) and social distancing and travel 
limitations. These measures also caused 
a large number of tenants to voluntarily 
cease trading from March 2020, and 
the number of stores across the portfolio 
continuing to trade reached a low of 42% 
in early April 2020. 

In response to the 
impacts of COVID-19 and 
to assist with managing 
the uncertainty of its 
future impacts, Vicinity 
undertook a range of 
initiatives to enhance 
liquidity and reduce 
operating costs. 

• reduced Directors’ fees and Executive 
Committee salaries by 20%, effective  
1 April to 30 June 2020

• cancelled the FY20 Short Term  

Incentive award, and

• reduced or deferred variable and  
non-critical operating expenses.

In addition to the public health initiatives, 
as part of its economic response, the 
Federal Government introduced the SME 
Code. The SME Code contains principles 
for landlords and certain SME tenants 
affected by COVID-19 to negotiate 
rental waivers and deferrals. Vicinity has 
also been negotiating short-term lease 
variations with impacted non-SME retailers 
in good faith with a focus on the long-term 
success of Vicinity and its retailers. 

15

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Financial performance
The table below contains a summary of FFO, AFFO, other related metrics and a summary 
reconciliation of net profit after tax to FFO1. 

Net property income
Property and funds management income
Total segment income
Corporate overheads
Net interest expense
Funds from operations (FFO)
Adjusted for:
Property revaluation decrement
Impairment and amortisation of intangible assets
Other items
Net (loss)/profit after tax

Weighted average number of securities (m)
FFO per security (cents)
AFFO per security (cents)
Distribution per security (cents)
Distribution $m
FFO payout ratio (Distribution $m / FFO $m) (%)
AFFO payout ratio (Distribution $m / AFFO $m) (%)

1H FY20
$m
438.9
31.7
470.6
(34.6)
(99.0)
337.0

(52.8)
-
(41.4)
242.8

8.95
8.10
7.70
289.3
85.9
94.9

2H FY20
$m
244.8
23.0
267.8
(7.6)
(79.6)
183.3

(1,665.1)
(427.0)
(135.0)
(2,043.8)

4.71
2.86
-
-
-
-

FY20
$m
687.3
54.7
738.4
(42.2)
(175.9)
520.3

(1,717.9)
(427.0)
(176.4)
(1,801.0)

3,807.8
13.66
10.96
7.70
289.3
55.6
69.3

FY19
$m
887.6
63.0
950.6
(68.3)
(193.0)
689.3

(237.1)
(3.7)
(102.4)
346.1

3,829.5
18.00
15.82
15.90
604.5
87.7
99.8

Financial performance during FY20 was 
characterised by solid performance in the 
first half of the year, and a second half that 
was materially impacted by the COVID-19 
pandemic, as discussed above.

Over the six months to 31 December 2019,  
FFO per security was 8.95 cents. On a 
comparable2 basis this represented an 
increase of 1.5%. This was underpinned  
by comparable net property income growth 
of 2.5%3 and the on-market securities  
buy-back. These items were partly offset  
by the impact of pre-development centres4, 
where upcoming projects prevented 
optimal leasing outcomes, reduced fee 
income from development and wholesale 
funds management and lower surrender 
payments received from tenants.

In the second half of the year, FFO per 
security was reduced to 4.71 cents (as 
compared to 8.94 cents in the second half 
of FY19). This reflected reduced NPI as the 
impacts of COVID-19 on Vicinity’s tenants 
and the introduction of the SME Code 
saw a significant reduction in expected 
rent collections. Reduced centre visitation 
also impacted ancillary income streams, 
particularly car parking and digital media. 
To mitigate the reduced revenues, Vicinity 
implemented a number of cost-saving 
measures encompassing:

• NPI operating costs – Savings to centre 
operations which also partially benefitted 
tenants through reductions in centre 
outgoing costs.

• Corporate overheads – Including the 
cancellation of the STI program, the 
temporary stand-downs of employees  
and Board and Executive pay reductions.

• Net interest expense – Realised through 
the reset of interest rate swaps to market 
interest rates.

The statutory net loss after tax of  
$1,801.0 million (30 June 2019: net 
profit of $346.1 million) incorporated FFO 
of $520.3 million, offset by significant 
property revaluation decrements on directly 
owned ($1,717.9 million) and equity 
accounted investment properties and an 
impairment to the goodwill balance of 
$427.0 million, which were in part driven  
by the forecast impacts of COVID-19 on 
future operating performance. 

Segment Information
Page 83

1.   Refer to Note 1(b) to the Half Year Financial Statements and Note 1(b) to the full year financial statements for a full reconciliation of net profit after tax to FFO.
2.   Adjusting for the impact of divestments.
3.   Excludes divestments and development impacted centres and is calculated on a like-for-like basis versus the prior corresponding period.
4.   Pre-development centres comprise Bankstown Central, Chatswood Chase Sydney, The Myer Centre Brisbane and Galleria.

16

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020QueensPlaza, QLD

17

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Financial position
The following summarised balance sheet is based on the full financial statements.

As at
Cash
Investment properties
Equity accounted investments
Intangible assets
Other assets
Total assets
Borrowings
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Net tangible assets per security (NTA)(a) ($)
Net asset value per security (NAV) ($)
Gearing(b) (%)

30-Jun-20 
$m
227.4
13,801.4
527.6
164.2
518.8
15,239.4
3,929.8
750.0
4,679.8
10,559.6
2.29
2.33
25.5

30-Jun-19 
$m
34.9
15,351.8
670.1
591.2
345.6
16,993.6
4,436.1
968.4
5,404.5
11,589.1
2.92
3.07
27.1

(a)  Calculated as Balance Sheet net assets less intangible assets, divided by the number of stapled securities 

on issue at period end. Includes all right of use assets and net investments in leases.

(b)  Calculated as drawn debt at Note 8(a) of the Financial report, net of cash and cash equivalents, divided  

by total tangible assets excluding cash and cash equivalents, right of use assets, net investments in leases, 
investment property leaseholds and derivative financial assets.

Key items which have impacted the 
balance sheet during FY20 include:

• Investment properties and equity 
accounted investments down  
$1.7 billion or 10.6% – Primarily due  
to June 2020 valuation decrement which 
was partly driven by the forecast impacts 
of COVID-19 and the divestment of three 
non-core assets for $227 million at a 
0.4% discount to book value. This was 
partly offset by the acquisition of a 50% 
interest in Uni Hill Factory Outlets for  
$68 million and capital expenditure 
during the year. Refer to Note 4(c) of the 
Financial Report for further information  
on asset valuations. 

• Borrowings down $506.3 million –  
Proceeds from the Placement and non-
core asset divestments were partially 
offset by development and other capital 
expenditure, the reset of interest rate 
swaps and securities purchased through 
the on-market buy-back program.

• Intangible assets down $427.0 million  
– Impairment of goodwill principally driven 
by the forecast impacts of COVID-19 on 
the property portfolio and internal property 
management business, as well as an 
increase in the Group pre-tax discount rate.

• Gearing down 1.6% to 25.5% – At the 
low end of target range of 25% to 35%, 
benefiting from the $1.2 billion Placement 
in June 2020, which has reinforced 
Vicinity’s strong balance sheet.

Balance Sheet
Page 77

Uni Hill Factory Outlets, VIC

18

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020The Strand, NSW

Capital management
Vicinity takes a proactive approach to 
debt capital management, with a focus 
on maintaining its investment-grade credit 
ratings. During the first half, we continued 
to diversify the debt profile by launching 
Vicinity’s inaugural European MTN program 
with €500 million (A$812 million) of  
10-year notes issued at attractive pricing. 
We also extended the duration of  
$1.7 billion of bank debt facilities. 

The onset of COVID-19 had a material 
impact on earnings and consequently 
valuations. In March 2020, Vicinity 
implemented a range of measures to 
enhance liquidity, including the execution  
of $950 million of new or extended 
bank debt facilities. As the potential 
for a significant decline in investment 
property valuations at June 2020 became 
evident, Vicinity executed an equity raising 
comprising a $1.2 billion Placement in 

Debt maturity profile ($m)

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

0

June 2020, followed by an SPP which 
raised $32.6 million in July 2020. Gearing 
at 30 June 2020 was reduced to 25.5%, 
at the lower end of our target range of  
25% to 35%. 

Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s affirmed 
Vicinity’s A2 and A credit ratings, but revised 
their outlook from stable to negative in 
March and April 2020 respectively. Following 
the Placement, Standard and Poor’s revised 
its outlook for Vicinity back to stable.

FY21 outlook
Retail trading conditions in FY21 are 
expected to be negatively impacted by:

• restricted domestic and international 

tourism

• workers delaying return to CBD offices

• a second wave of COVID-19 cases  

in Victoria

• the potential for significant outbreaks of 
COVID-19 in other areas of Australia, and

• subdued economic conditions and 

consumer confidence while the extent 
and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic 
remains unknown.

Vicinity cannot presently provide earnings 
and distribution guidance for FY21 as 
it would not be reliable in the current 
uncertain circumstances. We will continue 
to monitor trading conditions, and will 
provide further updates as appropriate.

Sources of debt (%)

13

9

14

2

11

17

34

19

FY21

FY22

FY23

FY24

FY25

FY26

FY27

FY28

Beyond

USPP

AMTN

GBMTN

HKMTN

EUMTN

Bank debt
drawn

Bank debt
undrawn

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Our management of risk
Identifying and managing risks and 
opportunities is essential in supporting 
the achievement of Vicinity’s strategy and 
objectives. Vicinity adopts a structured and 
comprehensive approach to managing risk 
to help provide benefits to its stakeholders, 
including securityholders, employees, 
consumers, retailers and the community  
in which Vicinity operates.

Vicinity’s risk management approach 
facilitates the identification, assessment 
and control of risks to its operations and 
strategy, ensuring a clear understanding 
of risks and enabling informed decision-
making in line with the business strategy 
and risk appetite. 

The table below outlines the key risks and 
opportunities that may affect Vicinity’s 
ability to create value over the short, 

medium and long term; their potential 
impacts and how Vicinity is managing 
them. As noted previously in the Operating 
and Financial Review, COVID-19 has had 
a significant impact on Vicinity’s operating 
performance. Vicinity’s risk profile will 
continue to evolve as the longer-term 
impacts of COVID-19 on the global and 
domestic economy, and structural changes 
in the industry, become clearer. 

Our  
resources

Risks and 
opportunities

Potential impact  
on value creation

How Vicinity manages  
the risks and opportunities

More  
information

Our Strategy and 
Business Prospects
Page 12

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Data  
and Analytics
Page 30

Real estate •  Economic 
conditions 
and rapidly 
evolving 
markets

Vicinity’s financial performance depends 
heavily on rental income generated from  
its property assets, which is closely linked  
to customer foot traffic and expenditure  
in its centres. 

•  Vicinity has a clear strategy to deliver long-term 

growth through its focus on market-leading 
destinations, realising retail-led mixed-
use opportunities and expanding its funds 
management platform. 

Adverse economic conditions, a subdued 
retail market, evolving customer preferences, 
growth in online sales and disruptive 
innovations may restrict growth opportunities 
and impact Vicinity’s ability to compete 
appropriately without significant changes to 
its strategy and/or business model. These 
have the potential to influence retailer 
viability, vacancy rates, rent structures, rental 
growth, profitability and asset values. 

Measures implemented by government, 
regulatory and health authorities to combat 
COVID-19 have impacted and will continue 
to impact the operating and financial 
performance and prospects of Vicinity. 
Requirements for temporary closure of some 
businesses, combined with restrictions on 
non-essential activities, gatherings and 
travel have reduced patronage at shopping 
centres. This has resulted in lower retail 
activity and sales, particularly in centres 
weighted towards discretionary spend or 
in CBD locations. It has also resulted in a 
change in consumer behaviour, shopping 
preferences and growth in online retailing 
and has also reduced Vicinity’s ancillary 
income opportunities over the short term 
with reduced demand for casual mall leasing, 
retail media, car parking and other services.

The pandemic has also seen a deterioration 
in the financial position of many retailers 
and their ability to pay rent. This may 
result in increases to rental arrears, retailer 
administrations and vacancies, which can 
result in lower rents and impacts on lease 
negotiations. Vicinity may choose, or in 
the case of SMEs be required, to provide 
temporary waivers and/or deferrals of rent 
to tenants suffering financial stress or 
hardship. The ability for Vicinity to manage 
retailer performance has been adversely 
affected by moratorium legislation and  
is compounded by market uncertainty, 
which makes it considerably harder to  
fill vacancies.

•  Vicinity focuses on creating compelling consumer 
experiences, improving amenities and seeks to 
provide a diversity of retailers in centres actively 
tailored to consumer demand in the catchment. 
These initiatives, along with the exploration and 
incubation of new retail concepts, aim to drive 
greater consumer visitation, which should  
translate into higher sales and rental growth  
over the longer term.

•  Vicinity takes a ‘Retailer First’ approach, supporting 
retailers with tools and information, and enabling 
their channel strategies. 

•  Vicinity pro-actively monitors retailer financial health 
and its major debtors, and actively manages risks/
replacement. With the impact of COVID-19, Vicinity 
has increased its focus on the monitoring and 
management of retailer debt, as well as exploring 
opportunities for utilisation of retail space for 
non-retail use. 

•  Vicinity actively explores and pursues ancillary income 

opportunities including casual mall leasing, retail 
media, electricity services and car parking. A number 
of these opportunities have been adversely impacted 
by COVID-19 but remain part of Vicinity’s strategy and 
focus over the longer term.

•  Vicinity has implemented a number of  

additional measures to manage COVID-19 
impacts, which include:

 − Negotiating in good faith with eligible SME 

tenants in accordance with the SME Code and 
as legislated by the various states, and with 
affected non-SME tenants depending on their 
individual circumstances.

 − Cancelling the FY20 STI program, reducing 

or deferring non-critical capital and operating 
expenditure, reducing hours for team members 
and temporarily reducing Directors’ fees and 
Executive Committee salaries for the final 
quarter of FY20 to reduce operating costs  
and preserve liquidity.

 − Negotiating $950 million of new and extensions 

to bank facilities, and raising $1.2 billion 
of equity to strengthen its balance sheet in 
response to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 
and the evolving retail landscape.

20

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our  
resources
Real estate 
continued

Risks and 
opportunities
•  Achievement 

of target 
portfolio 
composition

Potential impact  
on value creation
There is the potential that acquisition, 
divestment and development opportunities 
may be limited and/or not deliver the 
intended financial results. 

In particular, while the global economy  
is impacted by COVID-19, transaction 
markets are likely to remain dislocated  
and challenging development fundamentals 
will mean that some projects may be 
delayed or not proceed. 

•  Climate  
change

Having a robust approach to managing 
physical and transition risks related to 
climate change is important for Vicinity, 
to ensure it operates a resilient portfolio 
which can withstand acute weather events 
and chronic climate impacts, realise 
opportunities related to transitioning to  
a low carbon economy, and meet investor 
and community expectations around  
climate risk management and mitigation.

More  
information

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Communities
Page 32

Climate Resilience
sustainability.
vicinity.com.au

How Vicinity manages  
the risks and opportunities
•  Vicinity continues to focus on identifying acquisition 
opportunities, which included the acquisition of  
Uni Hill Factory Outlets in FY20. 

•  Vicinity has clear investment criteria for evaluating 
assets and regularly assessing asset quality and 
prospective performance using both qualitative  
and quantitative factors. This information is used to 
inform capital allocation and investment decisions.

•  Vicinity seeks to optimise its portfolio by divesting 

assets which are not expected to meet its 
investment objectives, or offer future value accretive 
opportunities. Divestment proceeds are a source of 
funds for reinvestment into developments or value 
accretive acquisitions.

•  Development opportunities are assessed and 

prioritised against set criteria which must meet 
minimum risk-adjusted financial return hurdles. 
Vicinity provides strong governance and oversight of 
capital allocation decisions through its Investment 
Committee and Board approval processes. 

•  Vicinity has deferred non-essential capital 

expenditure post COVID-19, but continues to 
advance development applications, particularly  
for retail-led mixed-use developments.

•  Vicinity’s Sustainability Strategy addresses  

both the physical and transition risks related  
to climate change through creating low carbon, 
smart assets and increasing the climate  
resilience of its centres.

•  Vicinity’s Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030  

target for common areas in its wholly-owned retail 
assets, to be delivered through a combination 
of industry-leading solar and energy efficiency 
program(s), sets out a longer-term strategy 
and roadmap for minimising the Company’s 
contribution to climate change.

•  At an asset level, climate adaptation plans 

and energy efficiency programs continue to be 
implemented across the entire managed portfolio, 
through management, design and development, 
and upgrades of centres. 

•  Vicinity’s approach to climate change 

management and disclosure is aligned with  
the recommendations of the Taskforce for  
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

21

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Our  
resources

Risks and 
opportunities

Potential impact  
on value creation

How Vicinity manages  
the risks and opportunities

More  
information

People

•  Health  

and safety

•  Security and 
intelligence 

Vicinity’s operations expose team  
members, contractors, retailers and 
customers to the risk of injury or illness. 

Management of COVID-19 requires 
increased vigilance around health and 
sanitation measures. COVID-19 cases  
linked to Vicinity’s operations, a lack of 
visibility around safety measures, a failure 
to adhere to social distancing requirements 
or a perceived threat to the safety and 
wellbeing of centre stakeholders could 
also erode confidence, impact Vicinity’s 
reputation, and/or drive lower customer 
traffic and sales.

An act of high impact civil disturbance, 
terror, active armed offender or other  
hostile aggressor activity would also have 
significant consequences.

•  People

Vicinity’s succession challenges and ability 
to attract and retain top talent (including  
as a result of COVID-19) may limit its  
ability to achieve operational targets.  
Loss of talent also impacts Vicinity’s  
ability to execute within target timeframes.

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Communities
Page 32

Our People
Page 34

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Communities
Page 32

Creating a Great 
Place to Work
sustainability.
vicinity.com.au

•  Vicinity has a comprehensive and mature Health 
and Safety Management System (H&SMS) that  
is supported by high levels of awareness, an  
audit program and a strong safety culture. 

•  Vicinity has implemented a number of additional 
measures across its centres to minimise the 
spread of COVID-19 including:

 − promoting social distancing and the wearing  

of masks (where mandated) through prominent 
signage, regular public announcements 
and supplier and retailer communications. 
This included releasing a COVID-19 Retailer 
Handbook to assist retailers in managing 
COVID-19 risks, and to trade safely and in line 
with government directives

 − enhanced cleaning regimes, and hygiene 

awareness for customers, retailers and team 
members, and

 − actively monitoring the number of customers  
in centres utilising traffic counters and digital 
heat-mapping technology to identify busy zones 
and manage these areas before they reach 
customer density thresholds.

•  Vicinity has implemented the Australian 
Government’s Crowded Places Strategy 
recommendations, including developing Counter 
Terror Plans for all assets and focusing on 
education, awareness and routine exercises.

•  An asset hardening program based on external 

reviews has been implemented for higher risk assets. 

•  Vicinity’s community investment program 

focuses on addressing youth disengagement 
and unemployment in the communities in which 
it operates and helps to alleviate youth-related 
safety and security concerns at its centres.

•  Vicinity’s People Strategy focuses on supporting 
the change required across the organisation to 
deliver its strategic goals.

•  Vicinity encourages an inclusive workplace where 

diversity is valued and leveraged.

•  A range of learning and development programs  
are in place to build talent and capability across 
the organisation.

•  Throughout the pandemic, Vicinity has maintained 
an open and transparent communication process 
with team members and increased the frequency  
and channels of communication. A range of 
initiatives have also been implemented that have 
been informed by regular employee COVID-19 
Pulse surveys, and designed to provide additional 
support to team members during the pandemic. 
These include additional wellbeing programs, 
learning and development opportunities and if 
required, financial support. Vicinity has consciously 
balanced business needs, critical roles and key 
person risks while managing costs, business 
impacts and impacts on customers. 

22

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our  
resources

Risks and 
opportunities

Potential impact  
on value creation

How Vicinity manages  
the risks and opportunities

More  
information

About us/
corporate 
governance
vicinity.com.au

2020 Corporate 
Governance 
Statement
vicinity.com.au

Capital Management
Page 19

Our Data  
and Analytics
Page 30

People 
continued

•  Conduct  

and culture

A failure to promote a healthy culture, 
including where employees feel able to 
speak up, could adversely impact business 
performance and reputation.

Vicinity’s culture will be influenced by broader 
COVID-19 impacts, which include prolonged 
working from home arrangements and 
general employee wellbeing, which includes 
mental health and financial wellbeing. 

Capital

•  Funding and 
investment 
opportunities 

Access to funding or capital at the 
appropriate price and in the required 
timeframes or deployed into investment 
opportunities for an acceptable risk/return 
trade-off is crucial to Vicinity’s ability to 
create value over time.

COVID-19 has led to the deterioration 
of the income derived from and value of 
Vicinity’s portfolio. This puts pressure on 
Vicinity’s credit ratings and compliance with 
financial covenants. A significant downgrade 
in Vicinity’s credit ratings could adversely 
affect its cost of funds and access to 
capital markets. An event of default would 
occur if Vicinity fails to comply with its 
financial covenants.

•  Vicinity’s Code of Conduct (the Code) sets clear 
behavioural standards and ethical expectations.

•  Employees are assessed against the values and 
behavioural standards outlined in the Code as  
part of the annual performance review process.

•  Vicinity has had a continued focus on culture in 

FY20 and is actively working towards the delivery  
of its desired culture state.

•  A cross-functional team has been formed to define 
Vicinity’s workplace strategy post COVID-19, which 
includes a focus on culture. The work includes the 
definition of high-performance, how feedback will 
be improved and enhanced, how cross-functional 
goals will be assessed and aligned, and what the 
culture to support high-performance will include.

•  Vicinity adopts a prudent capital management 

philosophy. Key attributes of this philosophy are 
the maintenance of a strong balance sheet with 
moderate gearing, preservation of an investment 
grade credit rating, targeted weighted average 
debt maturity, and diversification of financing 
sources and expiries.

•  Vicinity has a Capital Management and Investment 

Committee that oversees balance sheet 
management and investment decisions.

•  Vicinity negotiated $950 million of new and 

extensions to bank facilities and raised $1.2 billion  
of equity to strengthen its balance sheet in response 
to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and the 
evolving retail landscape.

•  Vicinity has strong relationships with financiers 

and actively monitors compliance with its financial 
covenants. Vicinity has long-standing relationships 
with its main banking panel, who have been 
supportive of it during the COVID-19 impacted 
period, as illustrated by the provision of the new 
and extended bank facilities.

Data and 
systems

•  Information 
security

•  Adoption 
of data 
analytics and 
technological 
advancements

The inability to adequately protect Vicinity’s 
systems from cyber-attack, theft or other 
malicious or accidental act (from internal  
or external sources) could damage its brand, 
operations and cause a loss of customer 
trust. This threat is heightened in the 
COVID-19 environment, particularly with 
prolonged and large-scale remote working 
arrangements. 

The inability to adapt and adopt 
technological advancements and adequately 
utilise data analytics and ’big data’ to 
achieve market intelligence may significantly 
affect Vicinity’s ability to unlock its strategic 
and operational potential or impact 
Vicinity’s competitiveness. This includes 
the effective management of legacy 
technologies as they become unsupported, 
decommissioned and/or replaced. 

•  Vicinity has information security and data 

governance frameworks in place that include 
training and awareness, shopping centre security, 
network protection, vulnerability management 
including patch management of hardware and 
software and penetration testing, third party/
supply chain management, anti-virus/anti-malware, 
incident response, access controls, secure 
development life cycle, data loss prevention  
and remote working security. 

•  Vicinity’s technology and data strategy enables 

Vicinity to capture information in a consistent way 
empowering Vicinity to realise greater operational 
and strategic benefits across the portfolio and 
reduce risk. Vicinity continues to develop its data 
capability and technical architecture across the 
broader business to gain a more sophisticated  
and deeper understanding of its consumers, 
retailers and business.

•  Vicinity’s investment in technological infrastructure 
and data analytics has enabled it to rapidly respond 
to COVID-19, e.g. large scale working from home 
arrangements, digital heat-mapping technology to 
support social distancing requirements, monitoring 
of foot traffic and sales data. 

23

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Engaging with our stakeholders
Strong relationships with our stakeholders 
are paramount to operating our business 
successfully and delivering our strategy.  

We engage with our stakeholders proactively 
and on an ongoing basis to understand their 
wants and needs, gain better insights into 
material business risks, and also identify 
opportunities to create shared value for 
both Vicinity and our stakeholders. 

The following tables outline Vicinity’s key 
stakeholders, our objectives for those 
stakeholders and their material interests  
in their interactions with Vicinity – information 
that helps to shape our business activities.

Stakeholder materiality

Stakeholder
Consumers and 
communities

Our objectives
Create unique and 
relevant shopping 
centre experiences 
and shape better 
communities

Material interests of stakeholders
• Providing convenient and engaging shopping experiences

• Ensuring safety, particularly during COVID-19

• Monitoring and responding to consumer satisfaction

• Appropriate tenant mix to service consumers wants and needs

• Community hubs, events and consumer experience

• Accessibility and social cohesion 

• Cyber security, data privacy and use

• Supporting local communities through targeted  

community investment

• Responsible supply chain including addressing modern slavery

• Environmental sustainability initiatives including recycling,  

energy use and solar

Our response

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Development
Page 28

Our Data  
and Analytics
Page 30

Our Communities
Page 32

Retailers

Deliver compelling 
destinations and  
value that support  
the success of  
retail operations 

• Monitoring and responding to retailer satisfaction

• Increasing consumer visitation and dwell time by creating  

engaging centre experiences

• Community hubs and consumer experience

• Strong engagement with centre management 

• Marketing and other services to help retailers succeed

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Development
Page 28

Our Data  
and Analytics
Page 30

• Support through COVID-19

• Waste management and recycling

• Responsible supply chain including addressing modern slavery

• Cyber security and data privacy

• Retail trading conditions and trading hours

• Data and performance insights

• Development and centre ambience

• Maintaining a strong financial position

• Executing on strategy and creating value

• Focus on health, safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders  

through COVID-19

• Strengthening portfolio composition

• Creation of community hubs and experiences that respond  

to changing consumer trends and retail conditions

• Relative attractiveness to retailers of trading online in comparison 

to, or in conjunction with, a physical store

• Disciplined delivery of our development pipeline

• Regular and transparent disclosure

• Managing material non-financial risks and opportunities  
such as climate change, modern slavery, data privacy  
and cyber security

• Corporate governance

• Tenant engagement and retention

Financial 
Performance
Page 16

Capital Management
Page 19

Our Management 
of Risk
Page 20

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Our Data  
and Analytics
Page 30

2020 Corporate 
Governance 
Statement
vicinity.com.au

Securityholders

Create long-term  
value and  
sustainable growth

24

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Stakeholder
Strategic partners

Our objectives
Ensure stable and 
growing returns

Our people

Support a highly 
engaged team that 
embraces our values, 
and delivers on our 
strategy

Suppliers

Create long-term 
relationships, and 
make a positive 
impact on our 
communities 

Material interests of stakeholders
• Deliver stable and growing returns 

• Focus on health, safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders  

through COVID-19

• Responding to changing consumer trends and retail conditions

• Alignment in strategy and objectives and transparency in reporting

• Delivering on investment objectives

• Tenant engagement and retention

• Retail trading conditions

• New business and innovation

• Managing material non-financial risks and opportunities such as 
climate change, modern slavery, data privacy and cyber security

• Having an innovative and collaborative culture

• Improving employee engagement 

• Learning and development opportunities

• Flexibility to balance professional and personal needs to ensure 

health and wellbeing

• Create diverse and inclusive culture that promotes equal 

opportunities and meaningful experiences

• Workforce impact of Vicinity’s business response to COVID-19

• Building collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships 

• Fair and ethical business practices

• Promote responsible sourcing and supply chain, including  

modern slavery

• Embracing innovation

• Social cohesion and integration

• Appropriately managing the supply chain impact of Vicinity’s 

business response to COVID-19

Our response

Our Portfolio
Page 26

Development
Page 28

Our Data  
and Analytics
Page 30

Our People
Page 34

Our Communities
Page 32

Our Suppliers
vicinity.com.au

Emporium Melbourne, VIC

25

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Our portfolio
During the first half of the year, Vicinity 
continued to enhance portfolio quality 
with the divestment of three non-core 
assets, the acquisition of a 50% interest 
in Uni Hill Factory Outlets, completing a 
number of asset enhancement projects 
and continuing to focus on creating the 
best tenant mix in line with consumer 
preferences. Specialty store MAT/sqm in 
the period increased 2.9% to $11,403 and 
specialty store and mini major MAT growth 
improved from 3.1% to 3.7%.

In the second half of the year, COVID-19 
impacted Vicinity’s portfolio in a number  
of ways. As infection rates rose in Australia, 
the Federal Government mandated the 
closure of cinemas, gyms and some health 
and beauty-related stores. Reduced centre 
visitation led to an increase in voluntary 
store closures with our Flagship assets, 
particularly the premium CBD assets,  
most impacted.

As COVID-19 appeared to be contained, 
restrictions started to ease in April 2020 
on a state by state basis. Voluntarily closed 
retailers started to re-open and, outside 
of Victoria and New South Wales, new 
COVID-19 infections moved towards zero 
and retail conditions started to improve  
in non-CBD locations. 

From July 2020, a significant second 
wave of COVID-19 cases materialised in 
the Melbourne metropolitan area, which 
resulted in Stage 3 restrictions being 
reinstated. Then in early August 2020, 
as case numbers continued to rise, this 
extended to Stage 4 restrictions being 
introduced. Stage 4 restrictions allowed 
essential retailers to remain open  
including supermarkets, fresh food 
(butchers, bakeries and other groceries), 
post offices, newsagents, banks, pharmacies 

Key portfolio statistics
Number of centres in Direct Portfolio
Occupancy (%)
Specialty MAT(a)/sqm ($)
Total MAT(a) growth (%)
Specialty and mini majors MAT(a) growth (%)

Jun-20
60
98.6
9,770
(7.0)
(10.3)

Dec-19
59
99.5
11,403
3.2
3.7

Jun-19
62
99.5
11,083
2.7
3.1

(a)  Excludes divestments and development-impacted centres in accordance with SCCA guidelines. Store 

closures during the period due to COVID-19 have impacted the comparability of sales reporting for Jun-20.

and medical services, as well as cafes 
and restaurants for delivery and take-away 
only. All other stores were only permitted 
to operate contactless click and collect 
or delivery services. A curfew was also put 
in place across Melbourne from 8pm to 
5am resulting in changed trading hours for 
supermarkets, pharmacies and medical 
centres. It is likely to take some time for 
key segments of the economy to return to 
full capacity like domestic and international 

tourism, and city office workers are likely  
to continue some form of remote working. 
As a result, Vicinity’s assets in Melbourne 
and in premium CBD locations are expected 
to experience a prolonged recovery period. 

The disruption caused by COVID-19, 
particularly with the temporary closure 
of many retailers, has impacted on the 
comparability of a number of portfolio 
metrics at 30 June 2020.

2020 customer visitation by state(b)
Weekly traffic as % of prior year

l

a
t
o
t

s
’
r
a
e
y

t
s
a

l

f
o
%

120%

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

Feb

VIC

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

NSW

Total Portfolio exc. VIC/NSW

Total Portfolio

(b)  Excludes centres deemed non-comparable – The Glen, QueensPlaza, The Myer Centre Brisbane, 

DFO Perth, DFO Brisbane and Roselands.

26

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
Centre operations during 
COVID-19
Vicinity’s response to COVID-19 has been 
aligned to the advice of Safework Australia, 
the Australian Department of Health and 
the World Health Organisation who have all 
published recommendations for places of 
mass gathering like shopping centres. The 
advice given is predominantly focused on 
social distancing, hygiene and sanitisation. 

In the initial phases of the COVID-19 
pandemic, centre operations teams were 
quick to respond and adapt to COVID-19 
across Vicinity’s portfolio. Increased 
cleaning of customer touchpoints and 
provision of hand sanitising stations, as 
well as measures such as the removal of 
food court furniture and social distancing 
signage, meant that we were on the front 
foot with our operational responses as the 
situation evolved throughout March and 
April. Since then, Vicinity has maintained 
a heightened focus on hygiene and social 

distancing practices across the portfolio 
as restrictions have started to ease on 
a state by state basis across Australia. 
Measures implemented were also informed 
by customer feedback, including feedback 
gathered through a customer survey.

In early July 2020, Stage 3 restrictions 
were reinstated across Melbourne and 
included the mandatory wearing of face 
masks. Vicinity has assisted its team 
members to meet this requirement by 
providing face masks for their use, and 
has reinforced the masking requirement 
for retailers and visitors through updated 
health signage, regular public address 
announcements, and monitoring by Vicinity 
team members and security personnel. 
With Stage 4 restrictions mandated in 
early August 2020, the operations of our 
Melbourne shopping centres were adjusted 
to enable our consumers to safely access 
essential retailers or for other retailers to 
operate take-away, delivery or contactless 
click and collect services. 

Retail Recovery Protocol
Vicinity was actively involved through  
the SCCA, which together with Australia’s 
key retail industry groups developed 
the COVID-19 Retail Recovery Protocol 
(the Protocol). The Protocol provides a 
consistent, practical and public-health led 
guide for shopping centres and retailers  
on how to operate and trade safely in 
a post COVID-19 environment. Vicinity 
has aligned its operational response to 
implement measures equal to or at a 
higher standard than those outlined in  
the Protocol. 

COVID-19 Retailer Handbook
In May 2020, Vicinity released the 
COVID-19 Retailer Handbook (the 
Handbook) containing important 
information to support retailers to get 
their business reactivated post COVID-19 
closures and to ensure that their return 
to trade is done safely and in line with 
government directives and advice, and 
industry best practice. We continue to 
monitor government and regulator advice, 
as well as experience within our centres 
and the Handbook is revised and  
reissued as appropriate. 

Looking to the future
With activity levels within our centres 
continuing to pick up towards pre-COVID 
levels, there will be ongoing challenges  
and opportunities for Vicinity. While the 
future is uncertain, we will continue to 
work with retailers and follow government 
directives to provide a safe environment  
for our team members, our retailers and 
the broader community.

Queen Victoria Building, NSW

27

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Operating and Financial Review continued

Development
Our retail and mixed-use development 
pipeline is an important driver of portfolio 
enhancement. Developments enable 
Vicinity to build sustainable and inclusive 
lifestyle destinations, introduce the latest 
retail concepts and revitalise our offer – 
enhancing the overall retail experience. 
This improves the quality of our income 
streams by attracting more consumers  
and driving sales growth.

With many of our centres surrounded 
by significant parcels of land, in major 
metropolitan locations with great 
transport links, our portfolio has significant 
opportunities to create value from mixed-
use development. Adding mixed-uses 
like residential, office, health, education, 
serviced apartments and hotels to our sites 
will create value for our securityholders and 
create communities of the future. These 
alternative property uses will likely enhance  
the performance of the existing retail offer  
on site, and importantly, will be demand-
led – that is they will be delivered as the 
demand from the market evolves. 

In March 2020, we announced the  
deferral of all non-essential capital 
expenditure due to the uncertainty around 
COVID-19. We remain cautious around 
future development expenditure, and have 
reviewed our internal criteria required 
to commence a development project. 
Accordingly, we have decided to defer and 
review the planned major redevelopment  
of Chatswood Chase Sydney. 

We continue to progress the planning of 
major retail and mixed-use developments, 
so that we can commence these projects 
at the appropriate time. 

Completed projects
The Glen, VIC
Construction of the $430 million1 major 
redevelopment of The Glen completed in  
October 2019. The project transformed 
the centre to include the newest format 
David Jones, an outdoor dining precinct, 
international fashion retailers including 
Uniqlo and H&M, a vibrant fresh food 
precinct anchored by Coles and a new 
Woolworths and Aldi and an indoor  
casual dining precinct that overlooks  
the Dandenong Ranges. 

1.  100% interest. Vicinity’s share is 50%.

28

Hotel Chadstone, VIC

Construction is well progressed on three 
luxury residential towers atop of the retail 
centre by Golden Age. The addition of 
more than 500 new residences on site 
will increase sales productivity and drive 
income for the centre when construction 
is completed in 2021. Learnings from 
integration of residential with the 
operations of the shopping centre will 
be used to progress other mixed-use 
opportunities across our portfolio.

Hotel Chadstone, VIC 
Hotel Chadstone opened in November 
2019. The $130 million1 hotel is located 
adjacent to Chadstone’s retail centre and 
has 250 rooms, conference facilities, a 
ballroom, two restaurants, spa facilities  
and a rooftop bar and lounge. The hotel  
is operated as MGallery by Sofitel and 
caters to business travellers to the busy 
Monash region and visitors to Chadstone.

Once certified by the Green Building Council 
of Australia, Hotel Chadstone will be the first 
5 star Australian hotel to receive a 5 Star 
Green Star Design & As Built rating. 

Occupancy at the hotel has been materially 
impacted by COVID-19. However, we believe 
it is a great addition to Australia’s leading 
retail, dining and entertainment destination, 
and in the longer term will benefit from the 
centre and region’s strong local, interstate 
and international visitation.

Roselands, NSW
At Roselands, NSW, a transformation of  
the lower ground floor created ‘The Markets’, 
a fresh food precinct anchored by Coles  
and new Woolworths and Aldi stores,  
and included 20 new specialty retailers. 
The project opened in September 2019 
and provided a strong foundation for  
future development of the centre.

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Projects under construction
Ellenbrook Central, WA
The $59 million development at Ellenbrook 
Central is nearing completion with a new 
6,600 sqm Kmart, which opened in July 
2020. The project also includes three  
mini majors and 16 specialty retailers,  
the opening of which has been prolonged 
by COVID-19. The majority of new stores 
are scheduled to open in the December 
quarter 2020. 

The redevelopment has been certified  
5 Star Green Star – Design & As Built 
(Design Review) rating, which represents 
Australian Excellence in sustainable design.

Future retail and mixed-use 
projects
Box Hill Central, VIC
In May 2020, Vicinity announced its 
10-year vision for the 5.5 hectare site it 
owns in the heart of Box Hill in Victoria 
which could realise up to 260,000 sqm of 
additions to the site. As one of Melbourne’s 
busiest rail and bus transport hubs with 
nearby health and education facilities, the 
site is prime for mixed-use development. 
The first stage of development applications 
have been submitted for creation of a town 
square, a 25-level 42,000 sqm office tower 
and 48-level residential tower featuring 
366 apartments, 10,000 sqm of office 
space and ground level retail.

Celebrating Aboriginal history and culture  
at Ellenbrook redevelopment
Ellenbrook Central’s expansion saw a number of initiatives supporting and celebrating 
the centre’s local Aboriginal history and culture, helping to deliver our Innovate 
Reconciliation Action Plan. 

A Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony were held by local Senior  
Whadjuk Marmun (man), Vaughn McGuire in September 2019, as part of our sod 
turn event. During the ceremony, Indigenous artefacts were buried, including Darp 
(knives), Goorch (axes), Gidgee (spear heads) and Warangka Boorn (singing sticks) 
wrapped up in Koomoor/Bwoka (possum fur).

During the opening of our first stage in July 2020, a plaque was unveiled 
commemorating the location of the buried artefacts, signifying our acknowledgement 
of how the land was once used by the traditional owners and to merge the past, 
present and future. 

During NAIDOC Week 2020 the centre will unveil new centre entry names,  
after the six Aboriginal seasons, coupled with artwork by local Indigenous artist 
Marcia McGuire. 

The expansion of Ellenbrook Central also saw more than 500 new solar generating 
car park shades installed and new complimentary electric vehicle charging stations 
connected to the centre’s expansive rooftop solar system. Vicinity’s Indigenous 
supply partner Wilco Electrical was engaged to undertake electrical work for the 
solar car park shades. Operational cleaning supplies for the centre are sourced  
from Wirrpanda Supplies. A proportion of the profits of this Indigenous-owned 
business are donated to the Wirrpanda Foundation, which supports young people  
to complete training and transition to employment.

Bankstown Central, NSW
Joint owners Vicinity and Challenger 
released plans for our 11 hectare 
Bankstown Central site in the middle  
of Bankstown CBD in July 2020.  
The plan takes advantage of the major  
bus interchange, future T3 metro station 
and Western Sydney University’s new 
campus all within 100 metres of the 
centre. The plan for the site sees up 

to 330,000 sqm of space across 16 
development sites to be developed over 
the next 30 years, the staging of which to 
be aligned with market demand. The first 
two development applications include: two 
office towers, a new café and restaurant 
precinct, relocating the bus interchange,  
a large landscaped public open space  
and basement parking for 320 cars. 

Box Hill Central, VIC  
– Artist’s impression

29

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Data and Analytics

Over the past four years Vicinity has developed a Data Science team,  
set up infrastructure to acquire and store a variety of data sources  
and has used advanced data analytics to drive better decision-making  
and improve business outcomes. 

Competitive advantage 
through data analytics
Vicinity’s multi-year investment in data 
science has created a significant internal 
pool of data (data lake). Executives and 
team members often require access to 
multivariate data sets in order to properly 
understand our operating environment  
and maximise commercial decision-making 
outcomes. A vast array of internal and 
external market data is now centralised in 
the data lake and provides a competitive 
advantage for Vicinity. We are able to 
combine the extensive skill of our team, 
with a huge amount of data, to generate 
meaningful and actionable insights from 
a single source of truth. Data is applied 
consistently across all aspects of our 
business on a daily basis, forming a key 
part of our digital and data roadmap and 
allows Vicinity to realise efficiency benefits  
in collating relevant information quickly. 

Throughout the year, Vicinity trialled the 
use of a Retailer Recommendation Tool 
(the Tool) – a bespoke in-house developed 
tool that uses advanced statistical models 
to provide insights into which retailer 
is likely to perform well in a given store 
location (and centre). The Tool considers 
the audience of the centre, the past 
performance of the retailer, and the 
retailer’s projected future performance  
in relation to its reliance on foot traffic  
past its specific location. The Tool’s 
positive reception by the trial group has 
resulted in the application being broadened 
to the entire Vicinity Leasing team to assist 
them throughout the COVID-19 period.

Supporting our retailers  
via data analytics insights 
Our retailers have told us they want  
access to data that helps them improve 
their performance, in response Vicinity 
has created a Retailer Insights Platform. 
This digital platform provides access to 
store analytics and centre insights retailers 
can use to determine their optimal store 
network and improve sales performance 
and profitability. The platform has been 
created based on input and feedback  
from a trial group of retailers and utilises 
the building blocks of data that Vicinity  
has developed to generate and support  
its own insights. 

Data analytics and Vicinity’s 
COVID-19 response
Vicinity has an agile data and analytics 
environment enabling us to early identify 
the impact of COVID-19 on centre foot 
traffic. In response to the evolving impact 
on our business, having an internal data 
capability enabled value to be created 
through quickly and accurately applying 
insight to enhance decision-making 
processes across the business. 

Store trading status
As stages of government restrictions were 
introduced, including the mandated closing 
of some stores, centre traffic declined and 
reporting of voluntary store closures on a 
daily basis was required. An application 
to do this was delivered within a week, 
providing the current trading status of each 
retailer on a daily basis and automated 
reporting that informed operational 
decisions such as trading hours and  
daily cost management.

Consumer research 
Vicinity regularly surveys its shoppers 
in order to gain feedback on how it is 
delivering on the retail experience in 
our centres. In order to help ensure that 
COVID-19 safety measures implemented 
by Vicinity were in line with what our 
consumers needed in order to feel safe, 
Vicinity surveyed approximately 2,000 
shoppers. The research enabled Vicinity 
to confirm that safety measures being 
implemented included the key concerns  
of our consumers.

Our retailers have told us they want access to 
data that helps them improve their performance, 
in response Vicinity has created a Retailer 
Insights Platform.

30

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020The Myer Centre Brisbane, QLD

Compliance with social distancing 
In line with government instruction, social 
distancing was introduced to reduce the 
spread of COVID-19. Vicinity created an 
industry-first program that utilises real-time 
data on consumer movements from its 
WiFi systems to assist with compliance 
with the recommended measures. With 
our real-time insights into foot traffic and 
consumer behaviour, Vicinity was able to 
monitor social distancing in centre and 
automatically trigger low, medium and high 
range alerts to centre teams who are able 
to respond in real-time.

The benefit of data analytics 
in an uncertain world
Given a more volatile and dynamic retail 
trading environment, Vicinity is now in a 
strong position to leverage the intellectual 
property and data infrastructure we have 
built over the past four years to help drive 
commercial value. Market-leading advanced 
analytics, machine learning and automation 
capabilities will combine to help Vicinity 
optimise business performance over the 
short, medium and long term.

Broadmeadows Central, VIC

31

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Communities

Our centres hold a unique position as local hubs in communities 
across Australia. Our strategy is to leverage this position to make 
a positive impact in our communities. 

Social Return on Investment
During FY20, we completed the third year  
of our national community partnership  
with Beacon Foundation, through which  
we deliver our community investment 
program focused on unemployed and 
disengaged youth.

This year, for the first time, we had an 
external assessment undertaken to 
evaluate the Social Return on Investment 
(SROI) of our partnership with Beacon 
Foundation. The SROI measured the 
external value created as a result of 
Vicinity’s funding of Beacon Foundation’s 
programs over the previous three years, 
including enhanced education outcomes, 
improved employment chances and better 
life outcomes for the participating youth. 

The analysis found that for every $1  
Vicinity has invested in Beacon’s programs 
since January 2017, there has been a 
positive ongoing economic benefit to the 
community of more than $22 each year,  
an exceptional outcome for the young 
people participating and for society  
more broadly. 

The partnership has also benefited 
Vicinity team member engagement and 
productivity levels, and there is increased 
local community awareness of the broader 
benefits of the Vicinity/Beacon partnership.

The SROI has assisted us to better 
understand and quantify our social impact 
through our Beacon partnership and  
identify opportunities to further improve  
our positive impact on unemployed  
and disengaged youth in the future.

32

Galleria, WA

Supporting communities during the bushfires
During the Australian bushfire emergency in summer 2019/2020, Vicinity organised 
and implemented a wide range of initiatives to lend our support to bushfire-affected 
communities across Australia. 

Our contributions to the bushfire relief stand at more than $730,000 in value and 
main activities include: 

• immediate direct cash donation of $250,000, split between the Salvation Army 
and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, with the aim of supporting 
the immediate response and the longer-term rebuilding of impacted communities 

• collection of more than $13,000 in donations via a national fundraiser on behalf 

of the Salvation Army and state-based fire authorities in Victoria, New South 
Wales and South Australia, through our customer service desks

• matched more than $48,000 donations made by Vicinity employees

• supporting the retailer-led bushfire fundraising campaign ‘All In’ via a donation 
of $18,000 to the Salvation Army, which is equivalent to one day’s rent of 
participating retailers with tenancies in our centres, and 

• undertook a Thank You campaign to enable members of the community to express 

their appreciation towards fire fighters and first responders. 

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Northland, VIC – Jobs Fair

Northland, VIC – Jobs Fair

National jobs fair program
After the initial success of a jobs fair  
held at the Northland Shopping Centre  
in 2016, a national jobs fair program was 
established and piloted across 14 centres 
in 2018 to support local employment and 
assist our retailers to more easily onboard 
staff to support retail peaks associated 
with the Christmas period. This initiative 
recognises that the retail sector is a key 
entry point for people into the workforce, 
and our centres are uniquely positioned to 
connect local job seekers with our retailers. 

During August and September 2019, Vicinity 
held its second national jobs fair program at 
19 centres across our portfolio, attracting 
thousands of jobs seekers. A number of 
jobs fairs were coupled with job readiness 
workshops, delivered in partnership with 
local community groups, which provided 
valuable job readiness training, interviewing 
and presentation skills to young people 
transitioning into the workforce and seeking 
roles in the retail sector. 

Due to COVID-19, we have suspended 
the jobs fairs for the immediate future, 
particularly in Victoria, but look forward to 
reinstating them as soon as we are able  
as they bring significant and broad benefits 
to our retailers and our communities.

Environmental efficiency 
We are tracking well towards our Net Zero 
2030 carbon target, having reduced our 
energy intensity by 20%2 since June 2016 
and continue to progress our on-site solar 
program across our wholly-owned retail 
assets, demonstrating we are well placed 
to achieve the total reduction required to 
achieve our Net Zero pathway. 

Across our managed portfolio, we continued 
to make improvements in environmental 
efficiency, achieving a 12% reduction in 
energy intensity and 17% reduction in 
carbon intensity from the previous year3, 
and achieving a 49% recycling rate. 

Our industry-leading solar program 
continues. We have installed 25.2MW  
of solar across our managed portfolio at  
the end of FY20, completing installations  
at Castle Plaza, Elizabeth City Centre, 
Altona Gate, Victoria Gardens,  
DFO Homebush, Ellenbrook Central and 
Livingston Marketplace during the year. 

This year we have also completed NABERS 
Energy and Water ratings across our entire 
rateable portfolio. These ratings allow us 
to continually benchmark and improve the 
sustainability performance of our assets.

Vicinity included in CDP’s Climate A-List
In January 2020, Vicinity Centres was included in CDP’s prestigious Climate A-List, 
which recognises leading action on climate change. Vicinity was one of a small 
number of companies globally, and one of only four in Australia, to achieve this 
top ranking. The result reflects Vicinity’s significant efforts to increase the climate 
resilience of our portfolio and transition to a low carbon economy. 

Vicinity has established a target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 20301, which will 
be achieved through our industry-leading on-site solar program and implementing 
innovative technologies that improve energy efficiency across the portfolio. Vicinity 
has in place a robust Climate Resilience Program, which focuses on increasing the 
resilience of our centres to extreme weather events, and which was recognised with 
an Australian Business Award for Sustainability in 2019.

Sustainable procurement 
During the year, we completed a 
comprehensive review of our procurement 
processes to understand how environmental, 
social and governance (ESG) considerations 
could be more deeply embedded into our 
processes. Based on this review, we have 
developed a Responsible Procurement 
Action Plan, identifying a prioritised set of 
initiatives to ensure we are appropriately 
managing ESG risk in our supply chain, 
including considering modern slavery as  
a priority. 

Vicinity is a founding member of a 
consortium of Australian property 
companies, which together with the 
Property Council of Australia, established 
and launched a supplier platform for 
Modern Slavery reporting in October 2019. 
The initiative aims to engage suppliers 
to the industry via a common modern 
slavery questionnaire, and achieve greater 
consistency, efficiency and transparency 
in reporting. Vicinity has invited our key 
suppliers across our highest risk categories 
to disclose their labour management 
practices via the tool, which will allow us 
to deepen our understanding of modern 
slavery risk in our supply chain and identify 
areas for further supplier engagement.

During the year, we also continued our 
focus on procuring from social enterprises 
and Indigenous businesses, with the aim  
of providing training, skills and jobs to 
address areas of disadvantage. From FY18 
to FY20, we have spent approximately  
$4.0 million4 with social enterprises, 
exceeding our target of $3.9 million.  
We have also achieved a cumulative  
spend of approximately $1.0 million4  
with Indigenous suppliers during this  
period, helping us to deliver the 
commitments within our Innovate 
Reconciliation Action Plan. 

1.  For our wholly-owned retail assets. In line with Zero Carbon measurement recommendations, this applies to common mall areas. 
2.  12 months to 29 February 2020 (excluding COVID-19 impacted performance period from 1 March 2020). 
3.   Across comparable portfolio. Energy and carbon intensity reductions were 4% and 8% respectively for non COVID-19 impacted performance period  

(12 months to 29 February 2020), surpassing FY20 targeted 3% reduction for both energy and carbon intensity. 

4.  The spend reported for FY18 and FY19 has been adjusted to include outstanding invoices paid to suppliers for work completed for those periods.

33

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our People

Through the challenges of FY20, including extensive bushfires along 
Australia’s east coast and the COVID-19 pandemic, more than ever, 
the health, safety and wellbeing of our people, retailers, consumers 
and their communities remained our highest priority.

Our response to COVID-19
The resilience of our people has been 
instrumental as we faced the challenges 
brought on by COVID-19. The dedication 
of the team and their commitment to our 
business has meant we have been able 
to respond quickly, adapting to new and 
ever-changing conditions and enabling our 
centres to continue to operate and play 
their essential role to our communities.

As COVID-19 began to impact the economy 
and our business, we introduced several 
people-related measures to reduce cost. 
Implementing these measures were made 
in the long-term interest of the business and 
with careful consideration of the outcomes. 
Measures to reduce costs included:

• a 20% pay cut of both Directors’ fees and 
Executive Committee salaries for the three 
months to 30 June 2020

• cancelling the FY20 Short Term Incentive 

award, and 

• temporary workforce reductions through 

full or partial stand-downs.

During times of uncertainty, we understand 
managing finances becomes particularly 
important, but can also be difficult and 
sometimes stressful to work through.  
We wanted all team members to know,  
that no matter what the circumstances, 
they are not alone and support is available. 

Throughout the stand-down period, team 
members have had a range of options 
available to support them with minimising 
financial impacts, including access to 
accrued annual and long service leave at 
full or half pay or, utilising up to four weeks’ 
annual leave in advance. In addition, our 
benefits program offers team members a 
contribution towards professional financial 
advice. A Financial Hardship Committee 
was established in April 2020 to review 
specific team member situations to 
determine whether additional support  
may be available to them.

Vicinity’s eligibility for the initial  
JobKeeper scheme, which runs from  
1 April to 27 September 2020, provided 
additional support to the business and 
enabled us to retain team members whose 
roles were impacted by COVID-19.

We have maintained an open dialogue 
and transparent process with our people 
as we have responded to the challenges 
and uncertainty of COVID-19, this included 
increasing our frequency and channels of 
communication. We introduced regular 
COVID-19 ‘pulse check’ surveys to gauge 
the sentiment of our team members and 
provide an additional avenue for feedback. 
Through these surveys, we have listened 
and responded to the needs of our team 
members during the pandemic. This enables 
us to respond and quickly deliver several 
people -focused initiatives, including:

• providing additional support for our team 
members to adapt to remote working

• a voluntary return to office locations  

in states where restrictions were lifted 
and ensuring compliance with  
COVID-safe guidelines

34

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020International Women’s Day

QueensPlaza, QLD – Pride

• enabling flexibility for all our team 

members to manage work and caring 
responsibilities

• additional focus on mental, physical  

and financial wellbeing, and 

• launching our Domestic Violence 

Guidelines and Mental Health Guidelines.

As part of our COVID-19 ‘pulse check’ 
survey, we also measured our team 
members’ levels of company confidence. 
In the surveys run between March and 
June 2020, our people reported a level 
of company confidence of 92% in March, 
78% in April and 82% in June, reflecting 
favourably on our response to the pandemic.

Our culture
In FY20, we continued progressing 
our program of work to create a high-
performance culture at Vicinity. As part  
of this program, in the first half of FY20,  
we invited over 300 team members 
nationally to participate in culture, values 
and behaviours workshops to gain insight 
into our current culture state and what shifts 
are required to drive further performance at 
Vicinity. These insights, when coupled with 
insights from our employee engagement, 
risk and diversity surveys, have provided  
the foundation for our work on driving  
a high-performance culture at Vicinity, 
which will continue into FY21.

Talent and capability
We continue to support the development 
of our people through a range of internal 
and external learning and development 
initiatives which include face-to-face and 
online learning, mentoring and coaching 
programs. In FY20, we continued our focus 
on promoting internal talent within Vicinity, 
with 65% of appointments made from 
internal candidates.

Diversity, inclusion  
and belonging
We believe in the strength of a diverse 
workforce where the unique backgrounds, 
perspectives and experience of all our 
people will help us drive performance. 
In line with our purpose of ‘enriching 
community experiences’, in FY20 we 
commenced work to align our approach to 
diversity and inclusion to include a much 
stronger focus on inclusion and belonging, 
which will unlock the value of our diverse 
teams and deliver strong, innovative 
business outcomes. 

We are fortunate to have team members 
from diverse backgrounds, religions 
and cultures which is reflective of the 
communities in which we operate. We 
acknowledge many days of significance 
which are aligned to our Diversity,  
Inclusion and Belonging Strategy and to  
our team members’ cultures and beliefs.

Gender diversity continues to be a focus 
for Vicinity, and we have supported this 
through a range of initiatives including 
hosting the Property Council of Australia’s 
networking event ‘500 Women in Property’ 
and sponsoring all our female Senior 
Leaders through the Chief Executive 
Women’s Leadership Program.

Safety
The health, safety, and wellbeing of our 
people remains a top priority and has never 
been more critical than throughout the 
COVID-19 pandemic. For most corporate 
team members, working from home became 
the normal and necessary way of working 
to reduce the risk of the transmission of 
COVID-19. As our shopping centres were 
required to stay open, we moved to an ‘A’ 
and ‘B’ team model, alternating working 
days for team members and deep cleaning 
offices overnight, to try to operate our 
centres efficiently while also trying to 
minimise the risk to our centre teams. 

Prior to the government-mandated physical 
distancing measures, Vicinity had already 
made available a range of flexible working 
arrangements, including various forms of 
remote working, supported by the necessary 
technological tools. Vicinity also provides 
a home office ergonomic self-assessment 
to help guide optimal set-up for people 
working remotely. 

As we prepared for our corporate teams to 
return to their offices, additional measures 
were implemented. Signage on safe physical 
distancing was installed, hand sanitiser 
stations feature at all entry points and  
other higher-use areas such as kitchens, 
and heightened cleaning efforts focused  
on sanitisation and high-contact surfaces.

35

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Board

Our Board is committed to the high standards of 
corporate governance. Our corporate governance platform 
is integral to supporting our strategy, protecting the rights 
of our securityholders and creating sustainable growth.

Corporate governance
Our Corporate Governance Statement outlines our 
approach to governance including the structure and 
responsibilities of our Board and Executive Committee 
and is available in the corporate governance section 
of our website at vicinity.com.au/about-us/corporate-
governance

2020 Corporate Governance Statement
vicinity.com.au

Further information
You can find more disclosure on the following topics:

Our Strategy and Business Prospects
Page 12

Our Management of Risk
Page 20

Governance
sustainability.vicinity.com.au

Tax Transparency
Page 42

Contact Us
Page 137

36

Trevor Gerber
BACC, CA, SA

Independent non-
executive Chairman

Appointed June 2015

Trevor Gerber worked for  
14 years at Westfield, initially 
as Group Treasurer and 
subsequently as Director of 
Funds Management responsible 
for Westfield Trust and Westfield 
America Trust. He has been  
a professional director since 
2000, and has experience in 
property, funds management, 
hotels and tourism, infrastructure 
and aquaculture.

Mr Gerber is the Chairman  
of the Nominations Committee 
and a member of the Audit  
Committee and the Remuneration 
and Human Resources Committee.

Mr Gerber was elected as 
Vicinity’s Chairman effective 
from the conclusion of the 2019 
Annual General Meeting on  
14 November 2019.

Mr Gerber is a member of 
Chartered Accountants Australia 
and New Zealand.

Current Listed Directorships
Chairman: Sydney Airport 
Holdings (since 2015, Director 
since 2002).
Director: Tassal Group Limited 
(since 2012).

Past Listed Directorships 
(past three years)
CIMIC Group Limited (held 
from 2014 to 2019) and Regis 
Healthcare Limited (held from 
2014 to 2017).

Grant Kelley
LLB, MSc Econ, MBA (Harvard)

CEO and Managing Director

Appointed January 2018

Grant Kelley has over 30 years  
of global experience in real 
estate investment, corporate 
strategy, funds management  
and private equity.

Previously, Mr Kelley was CEO 
at City Developments Limited, 
a Singapore-based global real 
estate company with operations 
in over 20 countries. Prior to 
this, Mr Kelley was the Co-Head 
of Asia Pacific for Apollo Global 
Management, and also led their 
real estate investment activities 
in the region. In 2008, Mr Kelley  
founded Holdfast Capital Limited,  
an Asian-based real estate 
investment firm, which was 
acquired by Apollo in 2010.  
From 2004 to 2008, Mr Kelley 
was the CEO of Colony Capital 
Asia where he guided acquisition 
and asset management activities 
in Asia. Mr Kelley commenced his 
career in 1989 at Booz Allen & 
Hamilton, advising CEOs of major 
listed companies in the financial 
services, natural resources  
and healthcare industries.

Mr Kelley is Chairman of the 
Adelaide 36ers, Chairman of 
Holdfast Assets, a Director of 
the Shopping Centre Council 
of Australia, a Governor of the 
Pulteney Grammar School, a 
Council Member of the Asia 
Society Policy Institute and the 
Premier’s Economic Advisory 
Council (South Australia).

Current Listed Directorships
Nil.

Past Listed Directorships  
(past three years)
Nil.

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Clive Appleton 
BEC, MBA, AMP (Harvard), 
GradDip (Mktg), FAICD

Non-executive Director

Tim Hammon 
BCOMM, LLB, MAICD

Peter Kahan 
BCOMM, BACC, CA, MAICD

Janette Kendall
BBUS MARKETING, FAICD

Independent non-executive 
Director

Independent non-executive 
Director

Independent non-executive 
Director 

Appointed September 2018

Appointed December 2011

Appointed June 2015

Appointed December 2017

Tim Hammon has extensive 
wealth management, property 
services and legal experience. 

Mr Hammon was previously  
Chief Executive Officer of  
Mutual Trust Pty Limited and 
worked for Coles Myer Ltd in  
a range of roles including Chief 
Officer, Corporate and Property 
Services with responsibility for 
property development, leasing 
and corporate strategy. He was 
also Managing Partner of  
various offices of Mallesons 
Stephen Jaques. 

Mr Hammon is the Chairman 
of the Risk and Compliance 
Committee and a member of 
the Remuneration and Human 
Resources Committee and the 
Nominations Committee.

Mr Hammon is also Chairman  
of The Pacific Group of Companies 
Advisory Board and a Director of 
EQT Holdings Limited. 

Current Listed Directorships
EQT Holdings Limited  
(since 2018).

Past Listed Directorships 
(past three years)
Nil.

Peter Kahan has had a long 
career in property funds 
management, with prior roles 
including Executive Deputy 
Chairman, Chief Executive 
Officer and Finance Director of 
The Gandel Group. Mr Kahan 
was the Finance Director of The 
Gandel Group at the time of the 
merger between Gandel Retail 
Trust and Colonial First State 
Retail Property Trust in 2002. 
Prior to joining The Gandel Group 
in 1994, Mr Kahan worked as 
a Chartered Accountant and 
held several senior financial 
roles across a variety of industry 
sectors. 

Mr Kahan is Chairman of the 
Remuneration and Human 
Resources Committee and a 
member of the Audit Committee 
and the Nominations Committee.

Mr Kahan is also a Director 
of Dexus Wholesale Property 
Limited.

Current Listed Directorships
Nil.

Past Listed Directorships 
(past three years)
Charter Hall Group (held from 
2009 to 2016).

Clive Appleton has extensive 
experience in property and 
funds management and property 
development, having worked for 
several of Australia’s leading retail 
property investment, management 
and development groups.

Mr Appleton’s executive experience 
includes Chief Executive Officer 
of Gandel Retail Trust, senior 
executive roles with Jennings 
Group, where he was responsible 
for managing and developing its 
retail assets before a subsidiary 
was restructured to become 
Centro Properties Limited of which 
he became Managing Director; 
Managing Director of The Gandel 
Group Pty Limited where he was 
involved in the development of 
$1 billion worth of property; and 
Managing Director of APN Property 
Group including being instrumental 
in its float and responsible for 
managing its Private Funds division.

Mr Appleton was also previously 
a Non-executive Director of 
the Company and the RE from 
December 2011 to the time of 
the merger of Federation Centres 
and Novion Property Group in 
June 2015.

Mr Appleton is also Chairman 
of Aspen Group and Pancare 
Foundation, Deputy Chairman  
of The Gandel Group Pty Limited, 
and a Director of APN Property 
Group Limited, Perth Airport Pty Ltd  
and Perth Airport Development 
Group Pty Ltd.

Current Listed Directorships
Chairman: Aspen Group  
(since 2012).
Director: APN Property Group 
Limited (since 2004).

Past Listed Directorships 
(past three years)
Nil.

Janette Kendall has significant 
expertise in strategic planning, 
digital innovation, marketing, 
operations and leadership  
across a number of industry 
sectors including digital and 
technology, marketing and 
communications, media, retail, 
fast-moving consumer goods, 
hospitality, gaming, property  
and manufacturing. 

Ms Kendall’s executive 
experience, both in Australia 
and China, includes Senior Vice 
President of Marketing at Galaxy 
Entertainment Group, China, 
Executive General Manager  
of Marketing at Crown Resorts, 
General Manager and Divisional 
Manager roles at Pacific Brands, 
Executive Director at Singleton 
Ogilvy & Mather, CEO of emitch 
Limited, and Executive Director  
of Clemenger BBDO.

Ms Kendall is a member of 
the Remuneration and Human 
Resources Committee and the 
Risk and Compliance Committee.

Ms Kendall is also a Director of 
Costa Group, KM Property Funds, 
Melbourne Theatre Company, 
Australian Venue Co and Visit 
Victoria.

Current Listed Directorships
Costa Group (since 2016).

Past Listed Directorships 
(past three years)
Nine Entertainment Co Holdings 
Ltd (held from 2017 to 2018) 
and Wellcom Worldwide (held 
from 2016 to 2019).

37

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Board continued

Karen Penrose 
BCOMM (UNSW), CPA, FAICD

Independent non-executive 
Director 

Dr David Thurin AM
MBBS, DIP RACOG, FRACGP, 
MS in Management, MAICD

Non-executive Director

Appointed June 2015

Appointed June 2015

Karen Penrose’s executive  
career was in leadership and CFO 
roles, mainly in financial services. 
Ms Penrose is passionate about 
customer outcomes and financial 
management and is well-versed 
in operating in a rapidly changing 
regulatory environment, which 
stems from her 20 years in 
banking with Commonwealth 
Bank of Australia and HSBC and 
eight years to early 2014 as a 
listed company CFO and COO.

Ms Penrose has been a  
full-time director since 2014  
and is a member of Chief 
Executive Women.

Ms Penrose is Chairman of the 
Audit Committee and a member 
of the Risk and Compliance 
Committee.

Ms Penrose is a Director of 
Bank of Queensland Limited, 
Estia Health Limited, Marshall 
Investments Pty Ltd and  
Ramsay Health Care.

Current Listed Directorships
Bank of Queensland Limited 
(since 2015), Estia Health Limited 
(since 2018) and Ramsay Health 
Care (since 2020).

Past Listed Directorships 
(past three years)
AWE Limited (held from 2013  
to 2018), Future Generation 
Global Investment Company 
Limited (pro bono role)  
(held from 2015 to 2018)  
and Spark Infrastructure Group 
(held from 2014 to 2020).

Dr David Thurin AM has had 
extensive experience in the 
property industry that includes 
senior roles within The 
Gandel Group and associated 
companies, including being the 
Joint Managing Director. Dr Thurin 
was a Director of The Gandel 
Group at the time of the merger 
between Gandel Retail Trust 
and Colonial First State Retail 
Property Trust in 2002. Dr Thurin 
is the Chairman, Chief Executive 
Officer and founder of Tigcorp 
Pty Ltd, which has property 
interests in retirement villages 
and land subdivision. He has a 
background in medicine, having 
been in private practice for 
over a decade, and was a prior 
President of the International 
Diabetes Institute. Dr Thurin was 
made a Member of the Order of 
Australia (AM) for his significant 
service to sporting organisations 
and to community health.

Dr Thurin is Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer of 
Tigcorp Pty Ltd, a Director of 
Melbourne Football Club, and a 
member of the World Presidents’ 
Organisation and the Australian 
Institute of Company Directors.

Current Listed Directorships
Nil.

Past Listed Directorships 
(past three years)
Nil.

38

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Executive Committee

The CEO and Managing Director (CEO), together with 
the members of the Executive Committee and senior 
leaders, is responsible for implementing and delivering 
Vicinity’s strategic objectives, achieving Vicinity’s 
business performance and financial objectives and 
carrying out the day-to-day management of Vicinity.

Management is also responsible for supplying the 
Board with accurate, timely and clear information  
to enable the Board to perform its responsibilities.

Management committees
The CEO has established a number of committees 
to facilitate decision making by management. 
Management committees include:

• Executive Committee – comprised of nine members 

outlined on the current page and overleaf

• Investment Committee – includes CEO, Chief 

Financial Officer (CFO) (Chair), Chief Development 
Officer (CDO), Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and the 
Chief Operating Officer (COO)

• Capital Management Committee – includes CEO, 
CFO (Chair), CDO, Director Financial Operations and  
the General Manager Corporate Finance

• Sustainability Committee – includes CEO (Chair), 

CSO, CDO, COO and a number of management 
representatives

Grant Kelley
CEO and Managing Director

Peter Huddle
Chief Operating Officer

Peter Huddle joined Vicinity 
Centres in March 2019 and has 
over 20 years’ experience in 
Real Estate Development and 
Asset Management. As Chief 
Operating Officer (COO), Peter is 
responsible for leading the teams 
on all aspects within our shopping 
centres including Management, 
Operations, Leasing, Development 
and Marketing.

Prior to joining Vicinity, Peter 
has had extensive experience in 
multiple global markets through  
a number of senior roles within 
the Westfield Group. Peter was 
most recently COO of Unibail-
Rodamco-Westfield, USA post 
acquisition of Westfield. Prior to 
the acquisition, Peter was Senior 
Executive Vice President and  
Co-Country Head of the 
USA. Peter has led the US 
Development teams through a 
prolific period of expansion and 
prior to the USA was COO of 
the Westfield Joint Venture in 
Brazil. Prior to Brazil, Peter had 
extensive Asset Management  
and Development experience 
within the Australian market. 

Grant Kelley joined Vicinity 
Centres in January 2018 and 
has over 30 years of global 
experience in real estate 
investment, corporate strategy, 
funds management and  
private equity.

Grant was formerly CEO at  
City Developments Limited,  
a Singapore-based global real 
estate company with operations  
in over 20 countries. Prior to  
this, Grant was the Co-Head  
of Asia Pacific for Apollo Global 
Management, leading their real 
estate investment activities 
in the region. In 2008, Grant 
founded Holdfast Capital 
Limited, an Asian-based real 
estate investment firm, which 
was acquired by Apollo in 2010. 
From 2004 to 2008, Grant was 
the CEO of Colony Capital Asia 
where he guided acquisition and 
asset management activities in 
Asia. From 2002 to 2004, he 
was based in New York, where 
he was a Principal at Colony with 
responsibility for the identification 
of US and European investment 
opportunities.

Grant holds a Bachelor of Laws 
degree from the University of 
Adelaide, a Masters in Economic 
Sciences from the London School 
of Economics, and an MBA from 
the Harvard Business School.

Grant is Chairman of the 
Adelaide 36ers, Chairman of 
Holdfast Assets, a Director of 
the Shopping Centre Council 
of Australia, a Governor of the 
Pulteney Grammar School, a 
Council Member of the Asia 
Society Policy Institute and the 
Premier’s Economic Advisory 
Council (South Australia).

39

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Our Executive Committee continued

Nicholas Schiffer
Chief Financial Officer

Carolyn Reynolds
General Counsel

Carolyn Viney LLB, BA
Chief Development Officer

David Marcun
Director Financial Operations

Nicholas (Nick) Schiffer joined 
Vicinity Centres in September 
2019 and has over 20 years’ 
experience in investment 
banking. Nick is an experienced 
corporate finance executive 
who has been a trusted advisor 
to a range of Australian and 
global investors on strategy 
development, M&A execution  
and debt and equity financings. 

Prior to joining Vicinity, Nick was 
Chief Financial Officer at Spark 
Infrastructure, an ASX 100 
investor in electricity networks and 
renewable energy. Previous to this, 
Nick was Managing Director at 
Credit Suisse, with responsibility 
for investment banking within the 
energy, transport and general 
infrastructure sectors.

At Vicinity, Nick is responsible 
for leading the finance 
team including, Investment 
Management, Treasury and 
Capital Transactions functions,  
in addition to Vicinity’s  
wholesale funds and Strategic 
Partnerships business.

Nick is a Certified Practicing 
Accountant and a member  
of the Australian Institute  
of Company Directors.

Carolyn Reynolds joined Vicinity 
Centres in May 2014 and has 
more than 20 years’ experience 
as a commercial litigation and 
corporate lawyer. In her current 
role, Carolyn has oversight of the 
safety, risk, compliance, company 
secretarial, lease administration 
and legal functions for Vicinity, 
and is a Director of the Vicinity 
subsidiary Boards.

Prior to her current appointment, 
Carolyn was a partner at law 
firm Minter Ellison from July 
2003. Carolyn gained extensive 
experience over this time which 
featured work on Las Vegas 
Sands Corp.’s bid for the rights 
to develop and operate the 
Marina Bay Sands Integrated 
Resort in Singapore. Carolyn has 
also gained diverse experience 
relating to boards from her 
legal work and involvement with 
not-for-profit organisations such 
as Ovarian Cancer Australia, 
Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park 
and the Moreland Community 
Legal Centre.

Carolyn is a member of the 
Australian Institute of Company 
Directors and ACC Australia.

Carolyn Viney joined Vicinity 
Centres in October 2016 
and has more than 20 years’ 
experience in construction, 
property development and  
real estate investment.

Prior to her current appointment, 
Carolyn was with Grocon where 
she held a number of senior roles 
over a 13-year period, including 
CEO, Deputy CEO and Head of 
Development.

Carolyn is an Advisory Board 
Member to the Victorian 
Government’s Office of Projects 
Victoria, and an Advisory Board 
Member of Women’s Property 
Initiatives, a not-for-profit housing 
provider to women and children 
at risk of homelessness. Carolyn 
is also a Non-executive Director 
of The Big Issue and Homes for 
Homes, both of which are not  
for profit providers of employment 
and support to homeless, 
marginalised and disadvantaged 
people, as well as being a  
Non-executive Director of the 
Walter + Eliza Hall Institute of 
Medical Research. Carolyn is a 
former President of the Victorian  
Division of the Property Council  
of Australia.

David Marcun joined Vicinity 
Centres in June 2015 as part  
of the merger of Federation 
Centres and Novion Property 
Group (Novion). David has more 
than 25 years’ experience 
in the retail property sector, 
predominantly in finance and 
operations roles.

Prior to his current appointment, 
David was EGM Business 
Development. Previous to this, 
David was Chief Operating Officer 
and Head of Asset Management 
at Novion (formerly CFSGAM 
Property). Over this time, David 
played a significant role in the 
merger of Federation Centres 
and Novion, as well as the 
internalisation of CFSGAM 
Property from Commonwealth 
Bank of Australia in 2013-14. 
Having joined The Gandel Group 
in 1993, David was also involved 
in the acquisition of Gandel 
Retail Management by CFSGAM 
Property in 2002.

David is a member of Chartered 
Accountants Australia and  
New Zealand.

40

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Ian Padgham
Acting Chief Information Officer

Justin Mills
Chief Strategy Officer

Tanya Southey
Chief People & Culture Officer

Ian Padgham joined Vicinity 
Centres in June 2015 as part  
of the merger of Federation 
Centres and Novion Property 
Group (Novion) and has more 
than 25 years’ experience in 
technology across a number  
of different industries, including 
retail property, financial services, 
telecommunications and utilities. 

Prior to his current appointment, 
Ian was Head of Information 
Technology at Novion. He joined 
Novion in 2014 and played a key 
role in the merger of Federation 
Centres and Novion, leading the 
integration of core technology 
systems and the move to a single 
technology platform. Before 
joining Novion, Ian held senior 
technology roles across a number 
of companies, including Colonial 
First State, AGL and Telstra.

Justin Mills joined Vicinity Centres 
in June 2015 following the 
merger of Federation Centres  
and Novion Property Group 
(Novion) and has more than  
18 years’ experience in the retail 
property sector. Overseeing the 
strategy function of Vicinity, Justin 
is responsible for alternative 
income, data science and 
insights, security and intelligence, 
sustainability, strategy and 
strategic delivery, corporate 
communications and investor 
relations. 

Prior to his current appointment, 
Justin was Executive General 
Manager Shopping Centre 
Management. Previous to this, 
he was General Manager, Retail 
Management and Strategy 
at Novion (formerly CFSGAM 
Property) from 2009. In 2002, 
Justin joined CFSGAM Property 
where his roles included Assistant 
Fund Manager of CFS Retail 
Property Trust, Centre Manager  
of Chadstone shopping centre 
and regional responsibilities 
across several Victorian assets.

Tanya Southey joined Vicinity 
Centres in October 2019 
and has more than 25 years’ 
experience in Human Resources. 
Prior to joining Vicinity Centres, 
Tanya held Executive Human 
Resources roles at General 
Electric, Jetstar and Carlton  
and United Breweries (CUB).  
In addition, Tanya has consulted 
within the Human Resources 
strategy space.

During her career Tanya has 
been involved in major cultural 
transformations, including due 
diligences, acquisitions, building 
employee value propositions 
and creating high-performance 
cultures. In her time at CUB, 
Tanya was involved in the global 
transaction to sell SABMiller 
to AB Inbev, a US$106 billion 
deal which was the largest in 
the history of the London Stock 
Exchange. Tanya has worked  
in the United States of America, 
South Africa and Australia and 
has been accountable for Human 
Resources teams across the 
Asia-Pacific in multiple roles.

Tanya has been on the Victorian 
Board for The Hunger Project,  
a global organisation which  
aims to end world hunger  
through the empowerment of 
people in developing countries.

41

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Tax Transparency

Vicinity aims to create long-term value and sustainable growth from our 
portfolio of Australian retail assets, creating places where people love to 
connect and true to our purpose, enriching the communities in which we 
operate. Vicinity’s approach to tax and the economic contribution it makes 
through the taxes it pays aligns to those aims.

Australian tax transparency
To improve the transparency of business 
tax affairs in Australia, the Board of 
Taxation designed the Tax Transparency 
Code (TTC) in 2016 to outline a set of 
principles and minimum standards to 
guide the disclosure of tax information. 
In adopting the TTC’s guidelines from 
its inception, Vicinity aims to provide 
transparent and informative disclosure on 
its tax affairs. Part A of the TTC disclosures 
can be found in Note 3 of the Financial 
Report and the Part B disclosures are 
contained within this section.

Furthermore, Vicinity Limited, as a 
corporate taxpayer with total income in 
excess of $100 million, is subject to the 
Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO’s) Public 
Disclosure of Entity Information Report that 
is released annually. This report discloses 
Vicinity Limited’s total income, taxable 
income and income tax payable for the 
relevant financial year.

Further Information
Page 45

Vicinity’s group structure
Vicinity has a stapled structure, with each 
stapled security comprising one share in a 
company (Vicinity Limited) and one unit in 
a trust (Vicinity Centres Trust). 

Vicinity Limited, and its wholly-owned 
group of entities, undertakes the business 
of managing Vicinity’s shopping centre 
portfolio including property management, 

development management and responsible 
entity and trustee services for Vicinity 
Centres Trust, its sub-trusts and external 
wholesale funds. Vicinity Limited also 
provides property and development 
management services for joint owners  
of Vicinity’s assets and other third parties.

Vicinity Centres Trust is a managed 
investment scheme operating in accordance 
with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), and 
is regulated by the Australian Securities and 
Investments Commission (ASIC). Vicinity 
Centres Trust and its controlled trusts hold 
the real estate investments for Vicinity.

The stapling of companies to trusts to 
create Australian Real Estate Investment 
Trusts (AREITs), as in the case of Vicinity 
and its predecessor organisations, has been 
commonplace in the Australian property 
industry since the 1990s. A stapled 
property group generally holds its real 
estate investments within a trust, while its 
management and other trading activities 
are held by the company. The structure 
provides securityholders the opportunity  
to invest in property through a regulated 
and managed scheme, while at the same 
time allowing securityholders to receive  
the benefits and efficiencies that result  
from property investment as if they held 
their investment directly. These benefits 
extend to receiving distributions of income 
on those investments directly from Vicinity 
Centres Trust as holder of the properties, 
with that income taxed directly in the  
hands of the securityholder.

Stapled structures legislation
Following the review of stapled structures in 
Australia by Federal Treasury which began 
in 2017, legislation has been enacted 
which introduced integrity measures aimed 
at addressing the inappropriate use of 
stapled structures and limiting the access 
for foreign investors to concessions for 
passive income. In particular, the legislation 
prevents stapled structures from re-
characterising trading income into passive 
income. Effective from 1 July 2019, 
unless transitional arrangements apply, the 
managed investment trust (MIT) withholding 
tax rate of 30% applies to amounts which 
fall within the definition of non-concessional 
MIT income. 

Vicinity has reviewed the stapled structures 
legislation to ensure that it is compliant 
with the integrity measures. As an AREIT 
that adopts a stapled structure in a 
traditional manner to derive passive rental 
income in its trust structure and trading 
income in its corporate structure, Vicinity  
is not materially impacted by the measures.

Further Information
Page 45

Our approach to tax 
Vicinity’s tax culture and business practices 
are driven by our Vision and Values, and are 
consistent with our purpose of enriching 
the communities that we serve. Vicinity 
is also committed to strong corporate 
governance policies and practices across 
all of its functions, including tax.

42

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Vicinity has an established Tax Risk 
Management Framework (the Framework) 
that is endorsed by the Vicinity Board  
and reflects the Group’s low-risk  
approach to taxation. When carrying  
on its activities, Vicinity:

• has a low risk appetite and does not 

engage in aggressive tax planning and 
strategies

• complies with all of its statutory obligations 

in a timely and transparent manner

• conducts itself in a lawful manner with 

respect to its tax obligations and protects 
its reputation

• has robust tax governance, with ongoing 

oversight and escalation points for 
managing tax risk from Vicinity’s key 
executives to the Audit Committee  
and Board of Directors

• has a set of tax policies, procedures  

and systems across the Vicinity business 
to enable compliance with tax laws and 
the management of tax risk, and

• engages directly with the ATO to provide 

transparency and understanding of 
Vicinity’s tax affairs. 

A robust set of internal controls and 
policies has been put in place to support 
the operational effectiveness of the 
Framework within Vicinity. Furthermore, 
the Audit Committee and independent 
assurance functions such as internal and 
external auditors provide independent and 
objective assurance on the effectiveness  
of risk management, control and 
governance processes.

Vicinity applies the Framework across  
its business to integrate the assessment 
of the tax implications of transactions, 
projects and business initiatives into  
day-to-day business. In this way, Vicinity 
can assess the tax implications of all 
transactions before committing to them 
and mitigate any tax risks that might arise. 

The Group can then also put in place 
adequate processes to efficiently manage 
our ongoing tax compliance obligations.

Vicinity values having a good relationship 
with all external regulatory bodies, including 
the ATO. Vicinity continues to engage 
with the ATO directly in a co-operative 
manner. During FY20, the ATO finalised 
the Top 100 Tax Assurance Review of 
Vicinity Centres group for the 2017 income 
year with no adjustments made to tax 
calculations. Following the Review, Vicinity 
is no longer considered a Top 100 public 
and multinational taxpayer under the ATO’s 
framework. Instead, Vicinity has transitioned 
to the Top 1,000 taxpayer program and 
going forward, the ATO’s engagement with 
Vicinity will be based on a more streamlined 
assurance review approach.

Under the ATO’s Justified Trust program, 
Vicinity has worked with the ATO to assist 
with the ATO’s understanding of:

• Vicinity’s tax governance framework 

• how Vicinity addresses the risks or 

concerns that the ATO has identified and 
communicated to the broader market

• the tax impact of any significant or  
new transactions for Vicinity, and

• how Vicinity’s financial performance 

translates to its tax position.

The aim of the Justified Trust program is to 
assure the community that large businesses, 
including Vicinity are paying the right 
amount of tax. 

Finally, management engages and  
consults with regulatory bodies regarding 
tax policy, tax reform and tax law design  
on matters that affect Vicinity’s business 
and its securityholders.

Further information on Vicinity’s corporate 
governance is available in its 2020 
Corporate Governance Statement.

2020 Corporate Governance Statement
vicinity.com.au

Taxation of Vicinity
Vicinity is a tax resident of Australia and 
operates entirely within the Australian 
market. Vicinity does not own any foreign 
assets, nor does it have any foreign related 
party subsidiaries. As a result, Vicinity does 
not have any transfer pricing risk.

As described above, Vicinity is a stapled 
group that consists of companies and 
trusts. Under Australian tax law, companies 
are subject to income tax at the applicable 
corporate tax rate (30% for FY20) on their 
taxable income. Trusts, in comparison,  
are generally taxed on a flow-through basis,
meaning that a trust’s taxable income  
is taxed in the hands of the beneficiaries 
(or in the case of Vicinity, its securityholders) 
at their applicable tax rates.

Vicinity Limited 
Vicinity Limited and its wholly-owned 
entities are consolidated for income tax 
purposes, resulting in all members of  
the consolidated group being treated as a 
single corporate taxpayer. Vicinity Limited 
is responsible for the income tax liability 
of the consolidated tax group, and intra- 
group transactions are eliminated in order 
to determine the consolidated tax group’s 
taxable income.

Vicinity Centres Trust
Vicinity Centres Trust and its controlled 
trusts are not liable to pay income tax 
(including capital gains tax), as the taxable 
income from their property investments 
flows through the trust and is taxed in 
the hands of securityholders annually. 
Vicinity’s securityholders pay tax at their 
marginal tax rates if they are Australian 
resident securityholders, or through the 
Attribution Managed Investment Trust 
(AMIT) withholding tax rules if they are 
non-resident securityholders. The Vicinity 
Centres Trust group elected into the AMIT 
regime with effect from 1 July 2017.

43

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Tax Transparency continued

Reconciliation of accounting 
profit to income tax paid  
and payable
A full reconciliation of Vicinity’s accounting 
net profit to income tax expense is included 
in the deferred and current tax note in  
Note 3 of the Financial Report. In interpreting 
the disclosure in the deferred and current 
tax note, it should be noted that the 
accounting net profit is determined in 
accordance with the Australian Accounting 
Standards. Taxable income, in contrast, is 
an income tax concept, which is calculated 
by subtracting allowable deductions from 
assessable income. A taxpayer’s income 
tax liability is calculated by multiplying its 
taxable income by its applicable tax rate.

Vicinity Centres Trust
The accounting net loss that was 
attributable to securityholders of Vicinity 
Centres Trust and its controlled entities  
was $1,830.70 million for FY20. Despite 
the net accounting loss, Vicinity Centres 
Trust has derived a taxable income which 
will be attributed to the securityholders 
under the AMIT rules and taxed  
accordingly in the hands of securityholders, 
as described above.

Vicinity Limited
The Vicinity Limited consolidated group 
generated an accounting profit before 
tax of $42.3 million for FY20. The Group 
recognised a current income tax expense 
of $7.8 million and deferred income tax 
expense of $4.4 million for FY20. After 
the adjustment for current year tax of prior 
periods and the utilisation of off balance 
sheet deferred tax assets, the total income 
tax expense for FY20 was $12.1 million.

With respect to its tax position for FY20, 
the Vicinity Limited Income Tax Consolidated 
Group generated taxable income of 
approximately $27.8 million1, which was 
fully offset by its carry-forward tax losses 
and franking credit tax offsets. Accordingly, 
Vicinity Limited is not required to pay 
income tax for FY20. 

Vicinity Limited’s tax losses that are  
carried forward to later income years are 
partly recognised through its deferred tax 
asset balance and described in detail in 
the deferred and current tax disclosures  
at Note 3(c) of the Financial Report.  
Vicinity Limited will be in a tax payable 
position when it fully utilises its carry-
forward tax losses.

It is noted that Vicinity Limited’s taxable 
income and income tax payable will be 
reported in the ATO’s Public Disclosure  
of Entity Information Report for FY20, which 
is expected to be released in late 2021.

The summary below provides a  
reconciliation from accounting net profit 
before tax to income tax payable for the 
Vicinity Limited Income Tax Consolidated 
Group for the 2019 tax return. The total 
income, taxable income and tax payable 
amounts disclosed below are anticipated  
to reconcile to the ATO’s Public Disclosure  
of Entity Information Report for FY19 (ATO Tax 
Transparency Disclosure), which is expected 
to be available in December 2020. 

The tax payable will not reconcile to  
the income tax expense at Note 3(b)  
of the Financial Report as the tax payable 
calculation includes tax temporary 

differences such as movements in 
provisions and the adjustments are stated 
at their gross values (not tax effected). 
Income tax expense also includes items 
which are not included in income tax 
payable for a year such as prior period 
adjustments.

Effective tax rate
Under the TTC, Vicinity Limited has chosen 
to calculate its effective tax rate (ETR)  
as income tax expense (current and 
deferred) divided by accounting profit.  
This is a simplified method of calculating 
the ETR, and should not be compared to 
the corporate tax rate without appreciating 
the differences between accounting profit 
and taxable income (as explained above). 
Further information is available on the 
ATO’s tax transparency webpage.

Further Information
Page 45

Given that Vicinity Centres Trust does 
not pay income tax (rather, tax is paid by 
Vicinity’s securityholders), it has no income 
tax expense and therefore a zero ETR.  
As described above, Vicinity Limited has  
an income tax expense of $12.1 million  
in FY20 and an ETR of 28.6%.

Reconciliation to ATO Tax Transparency Disclosure

Vicinity Limited Income Tax Consolidated Group
Total income
Total expenses
Profit before income tax 
Net adjustments relating to acquisition of share based payments
Other adjustments
Tax losses utilised
Total taxable income/(loss)
Income tax of 30% on taxable income
Less tax offsets
Tax payable

30-Jun-19 
$m
231.1
(205.4)
25.7
4.4
3.4
(30.2)
3.3
1.0
(1.0)
0.0

1.  Prior to the recoupment of prior year tax losses and the utilisation of tax offsets.

44

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Contributions to the 
Australian tax system
Vicinity Centres Trust’s flow-through tax 
status means that Vicinity securityholders 
pay income tax directly on Vicinity’s 
property investments income. For FY20, 
Vicinity’s securityholders will pay income 
tax on the taxable components of the  
cash distribution paid or attributed to them. 
The taxable components of the distribution 
will be communicated to securityholders 
and uploaded onto the Vicinity website, 
along with the Fund Payment notice for 
MIT withholding purposes, in late August 
2020. As the majority of our non-resident 
securityholders hold their interests  
indirectly (for example through custodians), 
the Fund Payment notice informs these 
third parties of the amount of tax to 
withhold from our distribution.

Further Information
Page 45

Additionally, as a business that operates 
in the Australian property industry, Vicinity 
is subject to various other taxes at the 
federal, state and local government 
levels. In FY20, these taxes amounted to 
approximately $223 million and are either 
borne by Vicinity as a cost of our business, 
or are remitted by Vicinity as part of our 
contribution to the administration of the  
tax system2. The taxes remitted include  
pay as you go (PAYG) withholding taxes paid 
by our employees and goods and services 
tax (GST) we collect from our retailers 
who rent space in our centres, net of GST 
claimed by Vicinity on its own purchases.

The information provided adjacent 
summarises Vicinity’s Australian tax 
contribution for FY20. 

As part of State Governments’ response 
to COVID-19, land tax relief and deferrals 
have been announced across all states. 
Vicinity is still working through the eligibility 
criteria and application process for each 
state. No land tax relief and deferrals have 
been recognised within the 2020 financial 
statements or in the chart adjacent.

Basis of preparation
The basis of preparation for Vicinity’s 
Australian tax contribution information 
presented below has been outlined in 
the footnotes to the disclosures. Vicinity 
undertakes an internal review process 
through its Finance and Internal Audit 
functions to verify the Australian tax 
contribution disclosures made.

Further information
• Vicinity Limited taxes paid information 
is published by the ATO in its Report of 
Entity Information published on: data.gov.
au/dataset/corporate-transparency

• ATO’s webpage on the enactment of the 
Stapled Structures legislation: ato.gov.au/
General/New-legislation/In-detail/Direct-
taxes/Income-tax-for-businesses/Stapled-
structures/

• ATO’s webpage on tax transparency 
for corporate tax entities, including 
background information and explanations: 
ato.gov.au/Business/Large-business/In-
detail/Tax-transparency/Tax-transparency-
-reporting-of-entity-tax-information

• A breakdown of the taxable components 

that securityholders receive via their 
annual taxation statements will be 
available in late August 2020 on Vicinity’s 
website: vicinity.com.au/investor-centre/
tax-information

Total taxes borne by Vicinity ($m)
$94.7 million

Stamp duty(a)

0.0

4.5

Local rates and levies(a)

Land tax(a)

Payroll tax(b)

9.2
9.9

Fringe benefits (FBT)(b)

0.7
0.9

43.6

45.6

36.7

32.2

0

10

20

30

40

50

Total taxes remitted by Vicinity ($m)
$128.3 million

Net GST remitted(b),(c)

Pay as you go (PAYG) withholding(b)

Taxes withheld from investors (d)

0.4
0.5

75.3
76.2

52.6

56.0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

FY20

FY19

(a)  Stamp duty, land tax, and local rates and levies data have been reported on the same basis as they are 
recognised for financial statement purposes, and therefore may vary from the actual taxes paid in FY19  
and FY20 due to timing differences. 

(b)  Payroll tax, FBT, GST and PAYG withholding data has been reported based on the amounts paid in respect  
of tax returns or notices of assessment issued to Vicinity for FY20 from the respective revenue authorities. 

(c)  Net GST remitted for FY20 is comprised of $160.7 million of GST collected (FY19: $171.1 million) and 

$85.3 million of GST claimed (FY19: $94.9 million).

(d)  This represents taxes withheld from Vicinity’s securityholders, which has been prepared based on 

information maintained by Vicinity’s external share registry provider. As the majority of our securityholders 
either supply their tax file number or in the case of non-residents, hold their interests indirectly, this figure  
is not representative of the taxes actually paid by our securityholders.

2.  In this regard, Vicinity includes entities which have been equity accounted in these financial statements.

45

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Sustainability Assurance Statement

46

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 202047

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020DFO Moorabbin, VIC

48

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Financial Report
For the year ended 30 June 2020

Inside

Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Balance Sheet 

Statements of Changes in Equity 

Cash Flow Statement 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

About This Report 

1. Segment information 

2. Revenue and income 

3. Taxes 

4. Investment properties 

5. Equity accounted investments 

6. Earnings per security 

7. Interest bearing liabilities and derivatives 

8. Capital and financial risk management  

9. Contributed equity  

10. Trade receivables and other assets 

11. Payables 

12. Provisions 

13. Key Management Personnel  

14. Employees 

15. Share based payments 

16. Intangible assets 

17. Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 

18. Auditor’s remuneration 

19. Parent entity financial information  

20. Related parties  

21. Commitments and contingencies 

22. Adoption of AASB 16 Leases 

23. Other Group accounting matters 

50

54

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

83

86

88

91

100

102

103

106

110

111

113

114

115

115

116

118

120

120

121

121

122

123

126

24. Events occurring after the reporting date  127

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

128

129

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020

49
49

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Directors’ Report

The Directors of Vicinity Limited present the Financial Report of Vicinity Centres (Vicinity or the Group) for the year ended 30 June 2020. 
Vicinity Centres is a stapled group comprising Vicinity Limited (the Company) and Vicinity Centres Trust (the Trust). Although separate 
entities, the Stapling Deed entered into by the Company and the Trust ensures that shares in the Company and units in the Trust are 
‘stapled’ together and are traded collectively on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), under the code ‘VCX’.

Directors
The Boards of Directors of the Company and Vicinity Centres RE Ltd, as Responsible Entity (the RE) of the Trust (together, the Vicinity 
Board) consist of the same Directors. The following persons were members of the Vicinity Board from 1 July 2019 and up to the date  
of this report unless otherwise stated:

(i) Chairman
Trevor Gerber (Independent) (appointed as Chairman on 14 November 2019)1 

Peter Hay (Independent) (resigned 14 November 2019)2

(ii) Non-executive Directors
Clive Appleton

David Thurin AM

Janette Kendall (Independent) 

Karen Penrose (Independent)

Peter Kahan (Independent)3

Tim Hammon (Independent)

Wai Tang (Independent) (resigned 14 February 2020)

(iii) Executive Director
Grant Kelley (CEO and Managing Director) 

Further information on the background and experience of the Directors is contained on pages 36 to 38 of this report. 

Company Secretaries
Carolyn Reynolds

Rohan Abeyewardene 

Jacqueline Jovanovski (resigned 2 August 2019) 

Principal activities
The Group has its principal place of business at Level 4, Chadstone Tower One, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, Victoria 3148.
The principal activities of the Group during the year continued to be property investment, property management, property development, 
leasing and funds management.

Review of results and operations
The Operating and Financial Review is contained on pages 10 to 29 of this report.

1.  Mr Trevor Gerber has been a Director of the Board of Vicinity Centres RE Ltd since June 2015 and a Director of the Board of Vicinity Limited since October 2015.
2.  Mr Peter Hay was Chairman of the Vicinity Board until 14 August 2019, from which date he was Acting Chairman until his retirement from the Vicinity Board on  

14 November 2019.

3.  As announced on 24 April 2019, Mr Peter Kahan had been appointed as Chairman of the Vicinity Board effective from 14 August 2019. Subsequently in  

July 2019, Mr Kahan went on a leave of absence due to a health condition. Upon his return from his leave of absence on 1 October 2019 Mr Kahan did not  
resume the Chairmanship.

50

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Significant changes in state of affairs

COVID-19 pandemic
The Group’s operations were significantly impacted in the second half of the financial year by the COVID-19 pandemic. In January, customer 
traffic numbers began to slow at centres in key locations and those with a higher proportion of international visitors. In March, government 
initiatives to contain COVID-19 included ‘stay-at-home’ directives and mandatory closure of some stores. This saw customer traffic continue  
to slow, prompting significant voluntary store closures. In April, with restrictions starting to ease, closed retailers started to re-open and traffic 
growth started to pick up. By the end of the financial year, the majority of retailers across the Group’s portfolio were open. This was impacted 
after 30 June by the reintroduction of Stage 3 and then Stage 4 lockdown restrictions in Melbourne, which is discussed further in the 
‘Events occurring after the end of the reporting period’ section below.

COVID-19 is expected to continue to impact the Group’s operations for some time however the duration and extent of the pandemic and 
its impacts on the economy, consumers and investment markets are unknown. As a result:

• There is the significant uncertainty as to how the pandemic will impact on the Group’s financial position and performance in future periods. 

• A number of significant judgements, estimates and assumptions have been made in determining the carrying value of certain assets  

and liabilities at 30 June 2020. These are further discussed in the ‘About this Report’ section of the financial statements.

Further information on the impact of the pandemic and the Group’s response can be found in the Operating and Financial Review.

Security Placement
As part of the response to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and to provide the Group with future balance sheet flexibility, on 1 June 2020 
the Group announced a $1.2 billion fully underwritten security placement (Placement) to institutional securityholders. Subsequently, on  
2 June 2020 the Placement was completed and on 4 June 2020 810.8 million new Vicinity stapled securities were issued at a price of 
$1.48. In conjunction with the Placement the Group also announced a Security Purchase Plan. This closed on 6 July 2020 as discussed  
in the ‘Events occurring after the end of the reporting period’ section below.

Distributions
Total distributions declared by the Group during the year were as follows:

Interim – 31 December 2019
Final – 30 June 2020
Total – year ended 30 June 2020

Total 
$m
289.3
nil
289.3

Cents per  
stapled security
7.70
nil
7.70

The Group will not declare a final distribution for 30 June 2020 in line with previous announcements. 

Director-related information

Meetings of Directors held during the year

Board

Special Purpose 
Board1

Audit Committee

Remuneration 
and Human 
Resources 
Committee

Risk and 
Compliance 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Eligible Attended Eligible Attended Eligible Attended Eligible Attended Eligible Attended Eligible Attended

6
2
6
6
6
6
6
5
6
2

6
2
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
3

Trevor Gerber
Peter Hay
Clive Appleton
David Thurin AM2
Grant Kelley
Janette Kendall3
Karen Penrose
Peter Kahan4
Tim Hammon
Wai Tang
1.  Special purpose Board meetings were scheduled and convened to consider a range of special purpose matters, including Vicinity’s response to COVID-19.
2.  Dr Thurin AM retired from the Risk and Compliance and Nominations Committees effective 3 December 2019.
3.  Ms Kendall joined the Risk and Compliance Committee and retired from the Nominations Committee each effective 3 December 2019.
4.  Mr Kahan joined the Nominations Committee effective 3 December 2019.

15
1
14
15
15
15
15
15
15
2

15
1
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
2

-
-
-
2
-
2
4
-
4
2

4
-
-
-
-
-
4
3
-
2

4
-
-
-
-
-
4
4
-
3

-
-
-
2
-
2
4
-
4
2

6
-
-
-
-
6
-
5
6
-

6
-
-
-
-
6
-
6
6
-

1
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
-

1
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
-

51

Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ ReportVicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Directors’ Report continued

Director security holdings
Director security holdings are detailed within the Remuneration Report.

Indemnification and insurance of Directors and Officers
The Company must indemnify the Directors, on a full indemnity basis and to the full extent permitted by law, against all losses or liabilities 
incurred by the Directors as officers of the Company or of a related body corporate provided that the loss or liability does not arise out of 
misconduct, including lack of good faith.

During the financial year, the Company insured its Directors, Secretaries and Officers against liability to third parties and for costs incurred 
in defending any civil or criminal proceedings that may be brought against them in their capacity as Directors, Secretaries or Officers of 
Vicinity. This excludes a liability that arises out of wilful breach of duty or improper use of inside information. The policy also insures the 
Company for any indemnity payments it may make to its Officers in respect of costs and liabilities incurred. Disclosure of the premium 
payable is prohibited under the conditions of the policy.

Auditor-related information
Ernst & Young (EY) is the auditor of the Group and is located at 8 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000.

Indemnification of the auditor
To the extent permitted by law, the Company has agreed to indemnify EY, as part of the terms of its audit engagement agreement, against 
claims by third parties arising from the audit (for an unspecified amount). The indemnity does not apply to any loss arising out of any 
breach of the audit engagement agreement or from EY’s negligent, wrongful or wilful acts or omissions. No payment has been made under 
this indemnity to EY during or since the end of the financial year. 

Non-audit services
The Group may decide to employ the auditor on assignments additional to statutory audit duties where the auditor’s expertise and 
experience with the Group is essential and will not compromise auditor independence.

Details of the amounts paid or payable to EY for audit and assurance and non-audit services provided during the year are set out in  
Note 18 to the financial statements.

The Board has considered the non-audit services provided during the year and is satisfied these services are compatible with the general 
standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for the following reasons: 

• All non-audit services have been reviewed by the Audit Committee to ensure they do not impact the impartiality and objectivity of the 

auditor; and

• None of the services undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of Ethics for 

Professional Accountants.

Auditor’s independence declaration
A copy of the Auditor’s Independence Declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is included 
immediately following the Directors’ Report.

Environmental regulation
The Group is subject to the reporting obligations under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act 2007 (Cth). This 
requires the Group to report annual greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and production for all assets under management for years 
ending 30 June. The Group met this obligation by submitting its NGER report to the Department of the Environment and Energy for the 
year ended 30 June 2019 by 31 October 2019. The 2020 NGER report will be submitted by the 31 October 2020 submission date.

Corporate governance
In recognition of the need for high standards of corporate behaviour and accountability, the Directors of the Company have adopted and 
report against the third edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations. The 
full Corporate Governance Statement is available on the Corporate Governance section of Vicinity’s website at vicinity.com.au. 

52

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Options over unissued securities
As at 30 June 2020 and at the date of this report, there were 8,169,800 unissued ordinary securities under option in the form of 
performance rights. Refer to the Remuneration Report for further details of the options outstanding for Key Management Personnel.

Option holders do not have any rights, by virtue of the option, to participate in any security issue of the Group.

Events occurring after the end of the reporting period

Completion of Security Purchase Plan (SPP)
The Group announced the SPP on 1 June 2020. This provided retail securityholders the opportunity to acquire up to $30,000 of new 
Vicinity stapled securities. The SPP offer closed on 6 July 2020 with subscriptions totalling $32.6 million. Subsequently, on 13 July 2020 
22.6 million new Vicinity stapled securities were issued at a price of $1.44. These securities began trading alongside existing Vicinity 
securities on 14 July 2020.

Melbourne Stage 3 and Stage 4 lockdowns
Stage 3 lockdown restrictions were announced by the Victorian Premier for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire on 7 July 2020 (effective from  
9 July 2020) and Stage 4 announced on 2 August 2020. Approximately 52% of the Group’s retail investment property portfolio (by value) 
is located within Victoria. These announcements and any future further restrictions will unfavourably impact the Group’s rental collections 
and financial performance in FY21. 

Additionally, as disclosed in Note 4(c) to the financial statements, the Group considered the impact of an additional Stage 3 type lockdown 
of up to eight weeks in determining investment property fair values at 30 June 2020. An escalation to Stage 4 restrictions was not 
envisaged and therefore the announcement on 2 August 2020 would unfavourably impact the 30 June 2020 fair value of investment 
properties had it been considered at that time.

Rental assistance negotiations
As disclosed in Note 10 to the financial statements due to the impacts of COVID-19 on retail trade, the Group is in the process of 
negotiating rental assistance and/or changes to lease terms with a significant number of tenants across the portfolio. The Group estimates 
that rental assistance will be provided for approximately 84% of lease agreements. As at 10 August 2020, the terms of rental assistance 
had been agreed in-principle with approximately 43% of tenants.

COVID-19 pandemic
The duration and extent of the pandemic and related financial, social and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertain. 
Disclosures have been included in Note 2, Note 3, Note 4 and Note 10 to the financial statements on the impact that this uncertainty  
has had on the reported amounts of relevant revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities for the year ended 30 June 2020 and the potential 
impacts that this uncertainty may have on revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities in future periods.

Other than the matters described above, no matters have arisen since the end of the year which have significantly affected or may significantly 
affect, the operations of the Group, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the Group in future financial periods.

Rounding of amounts
The Company is an entity of a kind referred to in Legislative Instrument 2016/191, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments 
Commission (ASIC), relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the Directors’ Report. Accordingly, amounts in the Directors’ Report have 
been rounded off to the nearest tenth of a million dollars ($m) in accordance with that Legislative Instrument, unless stated otherwise.

53

Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ ReportVicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
Remuneration Report

Letter from the Chairman of the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee 

Dear Securityholders,

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to introduce Vicinity’s 
Remuneration Report for the 12 months to 30 June 2020 
(FY20). The Remuneration Report outlines Vicinity’s 
remuneration framework and is designed to demonstrate  
the link between Vicinity’s strategy, performance and the 
remuneration outcomes for our Executive Key Management 
Personnel – executives who are deemed to have authority  
and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling  
the activities of Vicinity (Executive KMP).

Our approach
The Remuneration and Human Resources Committee’s (the 
Committee) overarching aim is to ensure our remuneration 
framework provides remuneration outcomes with a clear link to 
company and individual performance, and to Vicinity’s long-term 
strategy and values. We were pleased to again receive strong 
support for our Remuneration Report at the 2019 Annual General 
Meeting, with close to 98% votes ‘for’ the Remuneration Report 
and an average of over 98% support over the last three years.

Executive changes during FY20
Our new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Nicholas (Nick) Schiffer who is 
an Executive KMP, joined the Executive Committee on 2 September 
2019 and our new Chief People & Culture Officer, Tanya Southey, 
joined the Executive Committee on 24 October 2019.

FY20 performance and remuneration
We achieved solid first half results for FY20; however, our business 
was impacted in the second half of FY20 by COVID-19, which 
impacted the full year business outcomes materially. Significant 
remuneration related actions in response to COVID-19 included:
• a 20% decrease in Total Fixed Remuneration (TFR) and fees 
respectively for the Executive Committee and Non-executive 
Directors for the period 1 April to 30 June 2020

• cancelling the FY20 Short Term Incentive (STI) awards for all  

team members

• stand-downs and work schedule reductions for approximately  

70% of the workforce

• no increases to TFR for the Executive Committee for FY21

There was also no vesting of performance rights granted under  
the FY18 (FY18-20) Long Term Incentive (LTI) Plan as the Total Return 
(TR) and Total Securityholder Return (TSR) hurdles were not achieved. 

These decisions resulted in remuneration for the CEO and Managing 
Director (CEO), Grant Kelley, being lower than FY19. Remuneration 
for the COO, Peter Huddle, was higher than FY19, because FY20 
reflects Peter’s first full year as COO with FY19 representing only 
remuneration for the period from 25 March 2019 to 30 June 2019. 
On a pro-rata basis Peter’s remuneration was also lower due to the 
remuneration decisions relating to COVID-19. 

COVID-19 and our people
Through broad stand-downs, extensive short-term lease variation 
negotiations and our in-centre teams dealing with public health  
and safety, COVID-19 has had a material impact on our people.  
The Board and Executive Committee are cognisant of the challenges 
faced by our team members and their significant efforts during this  
time. Our focus for team members has been regular communication 

from senior executives, a focus on temporary stand-downs not 
redundancies, processing the JobKeeper top-up payments for eligible 
team members, facilitating extensive remote working, providing 
access to leave in advance, establishing a Financial Hardship 
Committee, actively promoting our employee assistance program and 
providing access to a wide range of personal development activities, 
as well as physical, financial and mental health services. 

Remuneration framework for FY20
As noted last year, we made some changes to our remuneration 
framework for FY20. For the STI, we reduced the maximum 
opportunity for the Executive Committee members from 200% to 
150% of target (the maximum opportunity for the CEO remained 
unchanged at 133% of target). We also amended the STI deferral 
period for Executive Committee members from the previous  
18 months to two equal amounts payable in 12 months and  
24 months (the deferral period for the CEO remained unchanged  
at 24 months). 

For the LTI, we extended the performance period from a three-year 
to a four-year period and discontinued the practice of a 12-month 
holding lock. We also introduced an absolute TSR ‘gate’ to the 
plan ensuring benefit will only be derived from the TSR 
Performance Rights when positive TSR performance is delivered 
over the four-year term of the plan, regardless of performance 
relative to competitors. 

Exempt Employee Security Plan
The Committee believes that all employees should be given the 
opportunity to become securityholders in our business, and that 
share plans help engage, retain and motivate employees over  
the long term. Our Exempt Employee Security Plan (EESP) enables 
Vicinity to gift up to $1,000 worth of securities to each eligible 
employee and in December 2019, 1,052 employees benefited 
from the EESP.

Summary
Our business performance for FY20 was materially impacted by 
circumstances outside of the control of executives. The executive 
remuneration outcomes for FY20 reflect strong alignment with our 
financial results and securityholder experience in a challenging  
and uncertain environment. 

Due to the unprecedented circumstances presented by COVID-19, 
we are currently facing some significant remuneration-related 
challenges; however, we are very cognisant of the need to balance 
securityholder experience with executive retention and motivation.

We are currently reviewing aspects of our remuneration framework 
for FY21 to ensure it continues to support the execution of our 
strategies to increase securityholder value as well as the retention 
and motivation of key talent. These are critical requirements as  
we navigate through this challenging period.

We look forward to ongoing dialogue with, and the support of,  
our securityholders, and welcome your feedback and comments 
on any aspect of this Report.

Peter Kahan
Chairman – Remuneration and Human Resources Committee

54

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Contents

Remuneration Report overview 

Remuneration framework 

Company performance and executive remuneration outcomes 

Executive remuneration – further information 

Non-executive Director remuneration 

Other remuneration information 

56

56

59

68

71

73

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Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report1.  Remuneration Report overview
This Remuneration Report outlines:

• Vicinity’s reward principles and framework

• Vicinity’s performance for the 12 months to 30 June 2020 (FY20) and the remuneration outcomes for Executive KMP

• remuneration received by Directors and Executive KMP

The contents of the Remuneration Report (as set out below) are governed by s300A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the Corporations 
Legislation. Unless otherwise noted, figures contained within this report are prepared on a basis consistent with the requirements of Australian 
Accounting Standards and have been audited.

1.1 Key Management Personnel (KMP)
Vicinity’s KMP include all Non-executive Directors (NEDs) as listed in section 5.2 and those executives who are deemed to have authority 
and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of Vicinity (Executive KMP). A KMP assessment is completed annually 
to determine which members of the Executive Committee should be disclosed as Executive KMP for the financial year. A summary of 
Executive KMP during FY20 and FY19 is shown in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1: Executive KMP
Name
Position
Current Executive KMP
Grant Kelley

CEO and Managing Director (CEO)

Peter Huddle

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Nick Schiffer

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Former Executive KMP

Richard Jamieson

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Michael O’Brien

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Chief Investment Officer (CIO)

 	KMP for full year 
  not a KMP during the year

FY20





Part-year  
(commenced
2 September 2019)

FY19


Part-year  
(commenced
25 March 2019)







Part-year (ceased 
31 January 2019)
Part-year (4 December 2018  
to 10 May 2019)
Part-year (1 July 2018  
to 3 December 2018)

The list of Non-executive Directors during the current and prior year can be found in section 5.2.

2.  Remuneration framework

2.1 Reward principles and framework
The objective of Vicinity’s remuneration framework is to build capability by attracting, retaining and engaging a talented executive team 
capable of managing and enhancing the business, while aligning their actions with securityholder interests. We recognise that remuneration 
represents just one of the factors that enables the attraction and retention of talent. We also seek to engage our executives over the 
long-term and to provide challenging work and development opportunities. This is assisted through linking executive remuneration to both 
short and long-term Company performance. Our framework encourages executives to focus on creating long-term value and growth and 
complements our purpose of enriching community experiences while ensuring that short-term actions do not have a detrimental effect  
in the longer term. 

56

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 2020The diagram below provides an overview of how our reward principles are linked to the components of our remuneration framework  
and how these components are measured to ensure that executive and securityholder interests are aligned. 

Attract, retain and engage  
high-performing executives

Reward principles

Demonstrate the link between 
performance, strategy  
execution and reward

Remuneration framework

Encourage executives to  
manage from the perspective  
of securityholders

Components

Performance measures

Strategic objective

Total Fixed Remuneration (TFR)

• Benchmarked to competitive rates.

• Remuneration set at competitive 

Base salary, superannuation and  
any salary sacrifice amounts.

Further details are contained  
in section 4.1.

+

Short Term Incentive (STI)

Annual bonus opportunity, 12-month 
performance period subject to 
performance targets.

50% paid in cash and 50% deferred into 
equity (24-month deferral for the CEO  
and two equal amounts payable  
in 12 months and 24 months 
respectively for other Executive KMP).

Further details are contained  
in section 4.2.

+

Long Term Incentive (LTI)

Performance rights, four-year 
performance period for awards  
granted from and including FY20.

Further details are contained  
in section 4.3.

• Size, scope and complexity of the role.

• The relevant job market.

• Individual experience, capability  

and performance.

Measured against three  
performance categories:

• Financial: measures include funds 

from operations, net property income, 
and corporate cost management.

• Strategy and portfolio enhancement: 

measures relate to portfolio 
enhancement, the development 
pipeline (including mixed-use), funds 
management, capital management, 
alternative income streams and 
improvements to leasing processes.

• Leadership, governance and 

operational excellence: measures 
relate to corporate reputation and 
sustainability, people, organisational 
capability, innovation, diversity  
and inclusion and risk and  
compliance management. 

The performance rights vest subject  
to achievement of an:

• internal hurdle based on Total  

Return (TR)

• external hurdle based on Total 

Securityholder Return (TSR) relative  
to the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT 
(Australian Real Estate Investment 
Trust) Index, excluding Unibail 
Rodamco Westfield (ASX:URW)

levels, to attract, retain and engage 
key talent.

• Financial measures relate to Vicinity’s 

capacity to pay distributions and 
generate securityholder returns.

• Strategy and portfolio enhancement 

measures focus on asset and 
business performance, development 
projects and the long-term strategic 
direction of Vicinity.

• Leadership, governance and 

operational excellence measures aim 
to promote a culture and behaviours 
that drive Company performance, 
operational excellence, innovation  
and reflect our long-term objectives.

• Encourages sustainable high-

performance over the medium  
to long term and securityholder  
value creation.

• Provides a retention element. 

• TR measures the extent to which 
Vicinity efficiently manages and 
extracts value from Vicinity’s assets 
and alignment with underlying growth 
in securityholder value.

• Relative TSR hurdle aligns remuneration 
with Vicinity’s long-term return relative 
to the nominated peer group.

57

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report2.  Remuneration framework continued

2.2 Pay mix
A significant component of executive remuneration is linked to short and long-term Company performance to assist in aligning executive 
interests with those of securityholders. The components of total remuneration and the relative weightings of the fixed and at-risk 
components of total target remuneration (using fair value and face value of the LTI granted on 10 December 2019) and total maximum 
remuneration (using face value of the LTI) for the Executive KMP are detailed in Figure 2.1 below. These values do not reflect the FY20 
outcomes as the STI for FY20 was nil and TFR was reduced by 20% for the period 1 April – 30 June 2020.

The LTI fair value is the value of the LTI calculated in accordance with AASB 2 Share Based Payments and takes into account the 
probability of performance hurdles being achieved for the TSR rights and the time value of the four-year vesting period for the TR rights.  
The LTI face value has not been adjusted for the probability of performance targets being achieved or potential changes in security price.

Figure 2.1: Pay mix

Target 
remuneration
(Fair value LTI)1
Target 
remuneration
(Face value LTI)2
Maximum 
remuneration
(Face value LTI)2

Chief Executive Officer

$1,500 (40%)

$1,125 (30%)

$1,102 (30%)

Total – $3,727

$1,500 (32%)

$1,125 (24%)

$2,025 (44%)

Total – $4,650

$1,500 (30%)

$1,500 (30%)

$2,025 (40%)

Total – $5,025

$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

Total remuneration ($’000)

TFR

STI

LTI

Chief Operating Officer

Target 
remuneration
(Fair value LTI)1
Target 
remuneration
(Face value LTI)2
Maximum 
remuneration
(Face value LTI)2

Target 
remuneration
(Fair value LTI)1
Target 
remuneration
(Face value LTI)2
Maximum 
remuneration
(Face value LTI)2

$1,150 (42%)

$1,001 (36%)

$599 (22%)

$1,150 (35%)

$1,001 (31%)

$1,100 (34%)

Total – $2,750

Total – $3,251

$1,150 (31%)

$1,501 (40%)

$1,100 (29%)

Total – $3,751

$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

Total remuneration ($’000)

TFR

STI

LTI

Chief Financial Officer

$740 (45%)

$518 (32%) $383   (23%)

$740 (38%)

$518 (26%) $703 (36%)

$740 (33%)

$777 (35%)

$703 (32%)

Total – $1,641

Total – $1,961

Total – $2,220

$0

$1,000

$2,000

$3,000

$4,000

$5,000

Total remuneration ($’000)

TFR

STI

LTI

1.  Includes LTI based on the fair value of the FY20 performance rights awarded at the time of grant calculated in accordance with AASB 2 Share Based Payments.
2.  Includes LTI based on the face value of the FY20 performance rights awarded at the time of grant which differs from the fair values which are calculated  

in accordance with AASB 2 Share Based Payments. 

58

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 20202.3 When remuneration is delivered
The diagram below provides a timeline of when remuneration is delivered, using FY20 as an example.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

•  FY20 TFR effective
•  FY20 STI and FY20 
LTI performance 
period commences

•  FY20 STI 

•  50% of FY20 deferred 

•  Remaining 50% of FY20 

determined

STI vests (excluding CEO)

deferred STI vests 
(excluding CEO)

•  50% of FY20 deferred 

STI vests for CEO

•  FY20 LTI vests 
subject to 
performance targets 
being achieved

Performance measured
(1 year)

50% of STI deferred in Vicinity securities
(24 months for CEO/12 & 24 months for other executives)

Performance measured
(4 years)

LTI

STI

TFR

1 Jul
2019

30 Jun
2020

30 Jun
2021

30 Jun
2022

30 Jun
2023

3.  Company performance and executive remuneration outcomes

3.1 Overview of Company performance
During the year, Vicinity’s performance was characterised by a solid performance in the first half, and a second half where COVID-19 
materially impacted rental collections, income and valuations. 

Key achievements during the year included acquiring 50% of Uni Hill Factory Outlets in Victoria, divesting three non-core assets at a 0.4% 
discount to book value, completing three development projects, progressing planning and approvals on a number of retail-led mixed-use 
projects and enhancing our sustainability leadership amongst retail peers globally with our commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions  
by 2030 and being included in CDP’s Climate A-list.

Over the first half of FY20, FFO per security was 8.95 cents. Sales continued to improve, with mini majors and specialty store MAT growth 
of +3.7%, up from +3.1% to June 2019, and specialty MAT/sqm was up 2.9% over the six-month period. Comparable NPI growth was  
+2.5%, compared to +1.5% for FY19, boosted by the strong performance of Chadstone and DFOs; however, leasing spreads of -4.1%  
for the period was down compared to -2.0% for FY19.

In the second half of FY20, FFO per security was reduced to 4.71 cents (as compared to 8.94 cents in the second half of FY19).  
This reflected the impacts of COVID-19 on the Group’s tenants and the introduction of the SME Code, which saw a significant reduction  
in expected rent collections and ancillary income streams, particularly car parking and digital media, which are in part driven by customer 
visitation. FFO per security for the full year was 13.66 cents (as compared to 18.00 cents for FY19).

The statutory net loss after tax of $1,801.0 million for FY20 (30 June 2019: profit of $346.1 million) incorporated FFO of $520.3 million, 
offset by significant property revaluation decrements on directly owned and equity accounted investment properties of approximately  
$1.9 billion and an impairment to the goodwill balance of $427.0 million. 

In response to the impacts of COVID-19 and to assist with managing the uncertainty of its future impacts, Vicinity undertook a range  
of initiatives to enhance liquidity and reduce operating costs. These included:

• raising equity, comprising a $1.2 billion Placement and $32.6 million Security Purchase Plan (finalised July 2020)

• negotiated $950 million of new and extended bank debt facilities during the early stages of COVID-19 to increase short-term liquidity

• deferred all non-critical capital expenditure including development projects

• reduced hours for 70% of team members from 21 April to 30 June 2020

• reduced TFR and fees respectively for the Executive Committee and Non-executive Directors by 20% for the period 1 April to 30 June 2020

• cancelled the FY20 STI awards for all team members

• reduced or deferred variable and non-critical operating expenses

The impact of COVID-19 is further discussed in detail on page 10 of the Annual Report.

59

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report3.  Company performance and executive remuneration outcomes continued

Table 3.1 highlights key FY20 business performance metrics and executive remuneration outcomes. Further detail on these metrics  
and achievements is contained in Table 3.4.

Table 3.1: Company performance and executive remuneration overview
What Vicinity achieved
FY20 performance
• We achieved solid first half results for FY20; however, the business was 

FY20 TFR

What executives received

impacted in the second half of FY20 by COVID-19, which impacted full year 
outcomes materially.

• FFO was $520.3 million or 13.66 cents on a per security basis (FY19: 18.0 
cents per security), significantly below the revised guidance range of 17.2 – 
17.4 cents per security announced in February 2020.

• TFR for Executive KMP and all other members of the 
Executive Committee was reduced by 20% for the 
period 1 April to 30 June 2020.

FY20 STI outcomes

• Progressed strategic and portfolio enhancement objectives, including acquiring 
50% of Uni Hill Factory Outlets, divesting three non-core assets, completing 
three development projects, advancing planning on three major retail and 
mixed-use development projects, and being included in CDP’s Climate A-list. 

• Executive KMP and all other team members received 

no STI award for FY20. 

• Additional information is provided in section 3.3.

• Refer to further commentary within Table 3.4.
Three-year performance period 
(1 July 2017 – 30 June 2020)
• Relative TSR for the three-year period to 30 June 2020 was -30.5%, which 
was below the level required for threshold vesting. The TSR over FY20 had  
a significant impact on the TSR over the performance period.

• A compound annual TR of -2.1% per annum was achieved over the 

performance period(a), which was below the level required for threshold  
vesting. Asset devaluations at 30 June 2020 had a significant impact  
on the TR over the performance period.

(a) Refer to section 4.3 for a description of the calculation of the compound annual TR.

FY18 LTI outcomes 
• The overall vesting of the FY18 LTI was nil.

• Additional information is provided in section 3.4.

Table 3.2 below summarises details of Vicinity’s financial performance for the current and past four financial years. 

Table 3.2
After strong TR performance in recent years, the outbreak of COVID-19 in the second half of FY20 has impacted valuations and earnings. 
Discretionary retail has been impacted the most in the short term, while non-discretionary retail has performed relatively well. TSR for FY20 
was in line with our most direct peer, but was below the broader TSR comparator group. Vicinity performed broadly in line with the unlisted 
property funds retail sector index during FY20.

Securityholder performance metrics
Security price as at 30 June ($)(a)
Net tangible assets per security ($)(b)
Distributions declared per security (cents)
TR(c)
TSR of VCX for the year ended 30 June(d)
TSR of the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index(d)

FY16
3.32
2.59
17.7
12.8%
20.4%
24.6%

FY17
2.57
2.82
17.3
15.5%
(17.7%)
(6.3%)

FY18
2.59
2.97
16.3
11.1%
7.0%
13.0%

FY19
2.45
2.92
15.9
3.7%
0.6%
19.3%

FY20
1.43
2.29
7.7
(18.9%)
(39.9%)
(21.3%)

(a) Security price as at the last trading day of the financial year.
(b) Calculated as Balance Sheet net assets less intangible assets, divided by the number of stapled securities on issue at period end. Includes right of use assets and 

net investments in leases.

(c)  Calculated as: (change in NTA during the year + distributions declared)/opening NTA. As explained in section 3.4, certain adjustments may be made to the TR 

outcome included in this table for the purposes of determining the vesting of LTI awards.

(d)  TSR is calculated as the combination of security price movement from the opening security price, plus distributions (assumed to be reinvested) over the period, 

expressed as a percentage. Source: UBS. 

60

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 20203.2 Fixed Remuneration outcomes
Summary
Vicinity reviews the fixed remuneration component of Executive KMP packages annually to ensure they remain competitive to attract,  
retain and engage key talent. External benchmarking is undertaken that incorporates the size, scope and complexity of each role which  
is overlaid with an individual’s experience, capability and performance to determine their fixed remuneration.

Outcomes
In FY20, the fixed remuneration for the CEO and all members of the Executive Committee remained unchanged. TFR for Executive KMP 
and all other members of the Executive Committee was reduced by 20% for the period 1 April to 30 June 2020.

3.3 FY20 Short Term Incentive (STI) outcomes
Summary
Vicinity’s STI provides Executive KMP and employees with the opportunity to be rewarded for achieving a combination of Vicinity’s financial, 
strategy and portfolio enhancement, and leadership, governance and operational excellence performance objectives through an annual 
performance-based reward. Many of these objectives contribute towards medium to long-term performance outcomes aligned to Vicinity’s 
strategy. The STI outcome for KMP was weighted against the three performance categories as outlined in Table 3.3. 

Specific measures for individuals are set within these performance categories and are approved by the Board. Further details of the STI  
are set out in section 4.2.

Access to the STI is contingent on the achievement of an FFO gateway of 97.5% of target. This ensures that a minimum financial hurdle 
must be met before any incentive is paid. If the gateway is achieved, performance for each measure is assessed on a range from 
‘threshold’ to ‘maximum’. Maximum is set at a level that ensures that the maximum amount of STI is payable only when performance  
has significantly exceeded target measures. 

Further detail on the assessment of each performance measure is contained in Table 3.4 and details of STI awarded are contained  
in Table 3.5.

Outcomes
While the decision was made to cancel the FY20 STI awards in April, as part of the measures to preserve liquidity and reduce operating costs 
in response to COVID-19, tables 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 outline performance against FY20 measures, which were set prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Table 3.3: FY20 Executive KMP performance level achieved
Most objectives included in the strategy and portfolio category have financial milestones and budgets and will significantly impact financial 
performance. The combined financial and strategic and portfolio enhancement category weightings for each Executive KMP was 75%. 

Performance category

Weighting at target

Minimum

Target

Maximum

Performance level achieved1

Financial

Strategic and portfolio 
enhancement

Leadership, governance  
and operational excellence

35%

40%

25%

1.  The circles represent the average outcome achieved by the Executive KMP. Please refer to Table 3.4 for more detail on business performance against FY20 measures.

61

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Table 3.4: Executive KMP performance against FY20 measures 
Performance 
category and 
weighting
Financial 
(35%)

Performance 
measure
Funds from operations 
(FFO), net property 
income (NPI) and 
corporate cost 
efficiencies.

Reason chosen
FFO and NPI are 
key financial 
measures of 
performance, 
while a focus on 
corporate cost 
efficiencies is 
important following 
recent divestment 
activities.

Performance outcome 
• Financial-related metrics were solid in the first half and were materially 

impacted by COVID-19 in the second half.

• Full year FFO per security was 13.66 cents, materially impacted by COVID-19.

• NPI was significantly below target primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 

on rent receivable for FY20. 

• Specialty store and mini majors MAT growth improved to 3.7% to  

December 2019 (up from 3.1% to June 2019) and fell to -8.4% for the year 
to June 2020.

• Specialty MAT/sqm of $11,403 at December 2019 (up 2.9% from June 

2019) and fell to $9,770 at June 2020.

• Maintained investment grade credit ratings of ‘A’ from Standard & Poor’s 
and ‘A2’ from Moody’s with stable and negative outlooks respectively. 

• Negotiated $950 million of new and extended bank debt facilities during  

the early stages of COVID-19 to increase short-term liquidity.

• Raised equity, comprising a $1.2 billion Placement and $32.6 million 

Security Purchase Plan (finalised July 2020) in response to the  
impacts of COVID-19 and to assist with managing the uncertainty  
of its future impacts.

• Reduced operating expenses and deferred non-critical capital expenditure.

• Acquired 50% interest in Uni Hill Factory Outlets, expanding Vicinity’s 

leading Outlet Centre portfolio.

• Divested three non-core assets at a 0.4% discount to book value.

• Significant progress across live developments, including:

 – opened Hotel Chadstone in November 2019

 – completed major retail development of The Glen

 – Roselands development completed

 – Ellenbrook Central Kmart expansion continues, although leasing has been 

impacted by COVID-19

• Advanced master-planning, preparatory works and approvals on a number  

of sites with mixed-use potential:

 – lodged several development applications (DAs) for major mixed-use 

projects at Box Hill Central and Bankstown Central

 – lodged and gained approval for five DAs at Chadstone

 – acquired land parcel and tenant remix and ambience upgrade underway  

at Victoria Gardens

 – DA submitted for retail expansion and serviced apartments at  

Sunshine Marketplace

Strategy and 
portfolio 
enhancement
(40%)

Portfolio 
enhancement, the 
development pipeline 
(including mixed-use), 
funds management, 
capital and cost 
management, 
improvements to 
leasing processes and 
alternative income.

Developing and 
implementing 
Vicinity’s key 
strategic initiatives 
will underpin future 
value creation 
opportunities  
and growth. 

Focus on improving 
portfolio quality 
and operational 
efficiency, 
will underpin 
sustainable 
performance.

62

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Performance 
category and 
weighting
Leadership, 
governance 
and 
operational 
excellence
(25%)

Performance 
measure
Corporate reputation 
and sustainability, 
people, organisational 
capability, innovation, 
diversity and 
inclusion, and risk 
and compliance 
management.

Reason chosen
Non-financial 
objectives underpin 
growth and 
sustainability  
of our business.

Performance outcome 
• Maintained strong relationships with our co-owners.

• Sustainability objectives progressed and Vicinity recognised in CDP’s 

Climate A-list, recognising leading action on climate change.

• Provided a ‘people first’ approach to COVID-19, which included safety,  
wellbeing and increased communications, engagement and support.

• Implemented a range of initiatives informed by regular COVID-19 ‘pulse 

check’ surveys and designed to provide additional support to team members 
during the pandemic. The overall level of confidence in Vicinity’s responses  
to COVID-19 measured through these surveys was 82% in June 2020.

• No material compliance or safety events and a strong safety culture 

continued to be demonstrated.

Table 3.5: FY20 STI outcomes for Executive KMP

Executive KMP
Grant Kelley
Peter Huddle
Nick Schiffer

Target STI  
as % of TFR
75%
87%
70%

Maximum STI 
opportunity  
as % of TFR1
100%
130.5%
105%

Actual STI 
awarded
($)
nil
nil
nil

% of target 
STI 
opportunity 
awarded
0%
0%
0%

% of 
maximum STI 
opportunity 
awarded
0%
0%
0%

% of 
maximum STI 
opportunity  
forfeited
100%
100%
100%

1.  The maximum STI opportunity as % of TFR is the theoretical maximum the Executive KMP can receive. The maximum STI opportunity as a percentage of the target 

opportunity is 1.33 times and 1.5 times respectively for the CEO and other Executive KMP.

3.4 FY20 Long Term Incentive (LTI) outcomes
Summary
The LTI provides an annual opportunity for the CEO, Executive Committee and other senior executives (Senior Leaders) to receive an equity 
award (through performance rights), subject to the achievement of performance hurdles over three years and a further 12-month holding 
lock (for awards made from FY20, the performance period is four years and there is no holding lock). The LTI aligns a significant portion  
of overall remuneration to securityholder value over the longer term.

Please refer to section 4.3 for further details of the LTI Plan.

Outcomes 
The FY18 LTI grant was tested at 30 June 2020. The compound annual TR per annum achieved over the performance period was below 
the level of 9.0% required for threshold vesting. The TR outcome was impacted significantly by asset devaluations during FY20, mainly due 
to the impacts of COVID-19. The relative TSR ranking over the performance period against the TSR comparator group (comparator group) 
resulted in nil vesting against this measure (the target required for full vesting against this measure was a ranking of greater than or equal 
to the 75th percentile), with COVID-19 impacting discretionary retail more significantly than other property asset classes. The combined 
vesting outcome for the FY18 LTI was therefore nil.

Details of all current LTI holdings for Executive KMP are contained in section 4.5.

FY20 grants 
The FY20 LTI grant was made to the Executive Committee and Senior Leaders with effect from 1 July 2019, with a four-year performance 
period. Table 3.6 shows the number of performance rights granted to the Executive KMP under the FY20 LTI. The number of performance 
rights granted was allocated using the ‘face value’ methodology. The fair value of the performance rights at grant date are also included  
in Table 3.6. Fair values are calculated in accordance with AASB 2 Share Based Payments. 

As outlined, these performance rights may vest in four years’ time provided TSR and TR hurdles are met. Further details on the hurdle 
requirements are contained in section 4.3.

63

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report3.  Company performance and executive remuneration outcomes continued

Table 3.6: FY20 LTI grants

Executive KMP
Grant Kelley
Peter Huddle
Nick Schiffer
Total 

Grant date
10 December 2019
10 December 2019
10 December 2019

Face value 
of rights on 
grant date 
($)
2,025,000
1,100,000
703,000
3,828,000

Number of 
performance 
rights1
762,941
414,437
264,863
1,442,241

LTI face 
value as a 
percentage 
of TFR at 
grant date
(%) 
135%
95.65%
95%

Fair value 
of rights on 
grant date2
($)
1,102,450
598,861
382,727
2,084,038

LTI fair 
value as a 
percentage 
of TFR at 
grant date
(%)
73.5%
52.1%
51.7%

1.  The grants made to Executive KMP represent the full face value LTI opportunity with effect from 1 July 2019. The security price used in the calculation is the volume 

weighted average price (VWAP) of Vicinity’s securities 10 trading days immediately following the 2019 Annual General Meeting of $2.6542. 

2.  Calculated based on a fair value per performance right of:

Grant date

10 December 2019

TR hurdle  
($)

2.08

TSR hurdle  
($)

0.81

Overall fair value  
of LTI grants  
($)

Overall fair value  
of LTI grants as a  
% of face value

1.445

54.4

The fair value per performance right was calculated by independent consultants as at the grant date identified above. The valuation of the TSR performance rights 
incorporates the probability of achieving market conditions whereas the valuation of TR performance rights does not. This results in a lower fair value for TSR 
performance rights than for TR performance rights. Further details on assumptions used to determine the fair value of the performance rights and the accounting  
for expenses relating to performance rights are included in Note 15 to the Financial Report The minimum total value of the grant to the Executive KMP is nil should 
none of the applicable performance conditions be met.

64

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65

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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67

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.  Company performance and executive remuneration outcomes continued

Table 3.9: Deferred STI for KMP
The holding lock for the deferred STI restricted securities granted to the CEO for the FY18 year (in which the COO and CFO did not participate) 
ended on 30 June 2020. Table 3.9 below details the number of securities released to the CEO following the end of the holding lock. 

Executive KMP
Grant Kelley

Date of grant
1 July 2018

Deferred  
STI award
FY18

Value of 
deferred equity 
at time of grant 
($)
258,018

Number of 
restricted 
securities 
allocated1
94,794

Holding lock 
end date
30 June 2020

Market value  
of securities 
released 
($)2
135,555

1.  The VWAP used to calculate the number of securities allocated at the time of grant was $2.7219.
2.  Based on a security price on 30 June 2020 of $1.43.

4.  Executive remuneration – further information
This section contains further details of the three components of Executive KMP remuneration being:

• fixed remuneration

• STI

• LTI

4.1 Fixed remuneration
Fixed remuneration comprises base salary and leave entitlements, superannuation contributions and any salary sacrifice amounts (for 
example, motor vehicle leases). Vicinity aims to provide a competitive level of fixed remuneration to attract, retain and engage key talent. 
External benchmarking is undertaken that incorporates the size, scope and complexity of each role which is overlaid with an individual’s 
experience, capability and performance to determine their fixed remuneration.

4.2 STI
Refer to section 3.3 for a summary of the STI outcomes for FY20.

STI arrangements
Opportunity

Performance 
measurement period

Grant date, payment 
and deferral

Performance targets 
and measurement

FY20 STI opportunity 
at a target level  
of performance 
as % of TFR
75%
87%
70%

FY20 STI 
maximum 
opportunity  
as % of TFR
100%
130.5%
105%

Maximum STI as a multiple
 of the target opportunity 
for exceptional individual 
and Vicinity performance
1.33 times
1.5 times
1.5 times

Grant Kelley (CEO)
Peter Huddle (COO)
Nick Schiffer (CFO)

The STI performance measurement period is the full financial year. Where an Executive KMP commences 
employment during the year, their STI is evaluated and paid on a pro-rata basis. Where an Executive KMP  
ceases employment during the year, if the STI is not forfeited, it is evaluated and paid on a pro-rata basis. 
Payment is made at the normal payment date applicable to other employees. 
STI is provided as a combination of cash and deferred equity. 50% of the STI is deferred into equity for a period 
of 24 months for the CEO and into two equal amounts payable in 12 months and 24 months respectively  
for other Executive KMP. Dividends are paid on the deferred equity component during the deferral period.
Outcomes are calculated following the Board’s review of Vicinity’s FY20 audited financial results and any  
cash component is typically paid in September following the end of the financial year.
Section 3.3 provides a detailed summary of the performance objectives and measures and the subsequent 
results for Executive KMP for FY20.

Performance objectives for FY20 were finalised by the Board in the case of the CEO, and by the CEO and  
the Committee in the case of other Executive KMP. The Committee, with input from the Chairman of the  
Board, assesses the CEO’s performance against his objectives and makes the recommendation to the Board  
for final determination.

The CEO assesses the performance of all other Executive KMP relative to their individual objectives and makes 
recommendations to the Committee for final determination.

68

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 20204.3 LTI 
Refer to section 3.4 for a summary of the LTI and outcomes for FY20.
LTI arrangements
Type of equity 
awarded 

Rights to Vicinity stapled securities at a future time for nil consideration, subject to the achievement of agreed 
performance hurdles at the end of the performance period (as set out below).

Performance period

Until the performance rights vest, an Executive KMP has no entitlement to receive dividends or distributions from, 
nor legal or beneficial interest in, and no voting rights associated with, the underlying stapled securities. 
For awards granted from and including FY20, four years.

For awards granted prior to FY20, three years plus a 12-month holding lock which is subject to continued 
service, except where varied as described in section 4.4. During the holding lock period, the conditionally vested 
performance rights cannot be traded, but the holder is entitled to receive dividends, distributions and vote.
Allocations of performance rights are tested against two performance hurdles: 

Performance hurdles

• 50% are subject to the achievement of relative TSR1

• 50% are tied to the achievement of TR2

Opportunity

Vesting scale

Each hurdle will be measured independently at the end of the performance period.
For the CEO, the FY20 LTI opportunity was a face value of 135% of TFR. For the COO and CFO, the FY20 LTI 
opportunity was a face value of 95.65% and 95% of TFR respectively.

The number of performance rights allocated was determined based on the 10-day VWAP of Vicinity securities 
immediately following the 2019 Annual General Meeting.
The following vesting scales apply:

TSR

TR

Percentile ranking

Percentage vesting

0%

Compound annual 
target TR per annum
 < 9.0%

Percentage vesting

0%

< 51st
Between
51st and 75th
≥ 75th

Between 51% and 100%

Between 9.0% and 9.5% Between 50% and 100%

100%

≥ 9.5%

100%

Following testing, any rights that do not vest, lapse.

The plan includes an absolute TSR ‘gate’ ensuring benefit will only be derived from the TSR performance rights 
when positive TSR performance is delivered over the four-year performance period. The Board retains discretion 
to adjust the number of TSR performance rights which vest where the TSR is negative.

1.  Relative TSR combines the security price movement and dividends (which are assumed to be reinvested) to show total return to securityholders, relative to that of 

other companies in the comparator group. The Board decided that an appropriate comparator group for the relative TSR performance hurdle was the S&P/ASX 200 
A-REIT Index excluding Unibail Rodamco Westfield. Where appropriate, the Board has discretion to adjust the comparator group for events, including but not limited  
to takeovers, mergers or de-mergers, that might occur with respect to the entities in the comparator group. 

2.  TR is calculated each year as the change in Vicinity’s NTA during the year plus distributions per security made divided by the NTA at the beginning of the year.  
The annual TR result for each year during the performance period is then used to calculate the compound annual TR for the three-year performance period for  
awards prior to FY20 or four-year performance period for awards from and including FY20.

69

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report4.  Executive remuneration – further information continued

4.4 STI and LTI – Cessation of employment, clawback or change of control
The Board retains discretion to determine the treatment of the STI and LTI awards on the cessation of employment; however, generally:

• In the event of resignation or termination for cause, any eligibility for STI, deferred STI and LTI entitlements will be forfeited

• In the event of cessation of employment for such reasons as redundancy, death, total and permanent disablement or retirement:

 – a pro-rata amount of unvested performance rights which have not yet conditionally vested will remain on foot, with the balance forfeited. 

Performance rights may then conditionally vest at the end of the performance period subject to meeting the performance measures 
under the associated plan. Awards granted prior to the FY20 LTI are subject to a 12-month holding lock. In these circumstances,  
the continuous service condition will be deemed to have been waived

 – STI for the year will be pro-rated over the employment period and paid fully in cash at the same time as all others (no amounts are 

deferred into equity)

 – deferred STI will remain on foot and will vest at the normal vesting date

The Board also has the right to reduce future award payments or adjust unvested amounts to ‘clawback’ from participants if there has 
been a material misstatement in Vicinity’s financial results. These provisions have been strengthened for any awards to be granted from 
FY21 onwards to enable ‘clawback’ where a participant has acted fraudulently or dishonestly, engaged in gross misconduct, breached  
his or her duties or obligations to the Group or acted in a manner which brings the Group into disrepute.

In the event of a change in control, the Board has absolute discretion to determine the treatment for STI and LTI entitlements.

4.5 Total LTI holdings
Table 4.1 below details the total performance rights held by Executive KMP including the FY20 LTI grants detailed above.

Table 4.1: Total performance rights held by Executive KMP 
Granted as 
remuneration 
in FY20
762,941
414,437
264,863
1,442,241

Executive KMP
Grant Kelley
Peter Huddle
Nick Schiffer
Total number of performance rights

Opening
performance 
rights
1,273,567
-
-
1,273,567

FY18 LTI lapsed 
during FY201
(565,406)
-
-
(565,406)

FY18 LTI vested 
during FY202
-
-
-
-

Closing unvested 
performance 
rights
1,471,102
414,437
264,863
2,150,402

1.  Represents the lapsing of the FY18 performance rights during FY20 due to the TR and TSR performance conditions not being met.
2.  The value of performance rights conditionally vesting on 30 June 2020 under the FY18 LTI was nil for Grant Kelley. 

4.6 Service agreements
Remuneration and other terms of employment for Executive KMP are formalised in Executive Services Agreements (ESAs). The terms  
and conditions of employment of the Executive KMP reflect market conditions at the time of entering into their contract.

Key features of the Executive KMP ESAs include the following:

• eligibility to participate in short and long-term incentive plans

• ongoing employment until terminated by either the Executive KMP or Vicinity

• Vicinity may make payments in lieu of all or part of the applicable notice period

Notice period provisions are detailed below.

Executive KMP
Grant Kelley
Peter Huddle
Nick Schiffer

Termination by Vicinity
For cause
Immediately
Immediately
Immediately

Other
6 months
6 months
6 months

Termination by 
Executive KMP
6 months
6 months
6 months

Termination 
payment1
6 months x TFR
6 months x TFR
6 months x TFR

1.  Paid, subject to law, if Vicinity terminated the Executive KMP’s employment agreement on notice and without cause, and makes payment in lieu of notice. 

Termination payments are generally not paid on resignation or termination with cause, although the Board may determine exceptions to this. No termination payment 
will exceed the limit under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

70

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 20205.  Non-executive Director remuneration

5.1 Remuneration philosophy
Non-executive Director fee levels are set with regard to time commitment and workload, the risk and responsibility attached to the role  
and external market benchmarking. Non-executive Director base fees were last increased effective 1 January 2018. No element of 
Non-executive Director remuneration is ‘at risk’, that is, no element is based on the performance of Vicinity. 

The current maximum fee pool of $2.25 million was approved by Vicinity securityholders in November 2011 and no changes to the fee 
pool will be made for FY21. Forecast Board and Committee fees for FY21 remain within the maximum fee pool. 

Board and Committee fees
FY20 Board and Committee fees are outlined in the table below:

Table 5.1: FY20 Board and Committee fees

Board/Committee

Board

Audit Committee

Risk and Compliance Committee

Remuneration and Human Resources Committee

Nominations Committee

Role
Chairman
Non-executive Director
Chairman
Member
Chairman
Member
Chairman
Member
Chairman
Member

FY20 fees per annum1 
($)
463,500
164,800
41,200
20,600
41,200
20,600
41,200
20,600
No additional fee
No additional fee

1.  Fees are inclusive of superannuation. The FY20 fees do not reflect the 20% reduction in fees for the period 1 April – 30 June 2020.

The Chairman of the Board receives no further remuneration for Committee membership, although he may attend Committee meetings. 
Non-executive Directors are entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable business-related expenses, including travel on Company business, 
that may be incurred in the discharge of their duties. 

71

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5.2 Fees and benefits paid

Table 5.2: Current Non-executive Directors’ fees for FY20 and FY19

Current Non-executive Director
Trevor Gerber, Chair3
(appointed 28 October 2015)

Clive Appleton4
(appointed 1 September 2018)

Tim Hammon
(appointed 15 December 2011)

Peter Kahan
(appointed 11 June 2015)

Janette Kendall
(appointed 1 December 2017)

Karen Penrose
(appointed 11 June 2015)

David Thurin
(appointed 11 June 2015)

Subtotal current Non-executive Directors

Short-term benefits

Fees 
($)1
309,872
150,502
156,560 
137,333
142,977 
150,502
142,977 
150,502
142,977 
150,502
142,977 
150,502
142,977 
150,502
1,181,317
1,040,345

Committee 
fees 
($)
19,331
37,626
-
-
53,616 
56,438
48,913 
56,438
27,834 
18,813
53,616 
56,438
7,910 
18,813
211,220
244,566

Post-employment 
benefits2
Superannuation 
contributions 
($)
20,220 
17,872
-
-
18,676 
19,660
18,230 
19,660
16,227 
16,085
 18,676 
19,660
14,334 
16,085
106,363
109,022

Total fees
($)
349,423 
206,000
156,560 
137,333
215,269 
226,600
210,120 
226,600
 187,038 
185,400
 215,269 
226,600
 165,221 
185,400
1,498,900
1,393,933

Period
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19

1.  Unless otherwise stated, fees represent fees paid to Non-executive Directors in their capacity as Directors of Vicinity Limited (the Company) and Vicinity Centre RE Ltd 

as Responsible Entity for Vicinity Centres Trust (the RE) whose Boards and Committees meet concurrently.

2.  Non-executive Directors receive no post-employment benefits other than statutory superannuation.
3.  Trevor Gerber assumed the role of Chairman from the conclusion of the 2019 Annual General Meeting on 14 November 2019.
4.  Clive Appleton’s fees are paid to The Gandel Group Pty Limited and therefore no superannuation contributions were made by Vicinity on his behalf.

Table 5.2.1: Former Non-executive Directors’ fees for FY20 and FY19

Former Non-executive Director
Peter Hay, Acting Chair3
(appointed 11 June 2015)

Wai Tang4
(appointed 30 May 2014)

Subtotal former Non-executive Directors

Total current and former  
Non-executive Directors

Short-term benefits

Fees 
($)1
162,781
442,969
100,335 
150,502
263,116 
593,471
1,444,433
1,633,816

Committee 
fees 
($)
-
-
25,084
37,626
25,084
37,626
236,304
282,192

Post-employment
 benefits2
Superannuation 
contributions 
($)
10,206 
20,531
11,915 
17,872
22,121 
38,403
128,484
147,425

Total fees 
($)
172,987 
463,500
 137,334 
206,000
 310,321
669,500
1,809,221
2,063,433

Period
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19
FY20
FY19

1.  Fees represent fees paid to Non-executive Directors in their capacity as Directors of the Company and the RE which meet concurrently.
2.  Non-executive Directors receive no post-employment benefits other than statutory superannuation.
3.  Peter Hay assumed the position of Acting Chairman effective 14 August 2019 and retired from the Board from the conclusion of the 2019 Annual General Meeting 

on 14 November 2019.

4.  Wai Tang resigned on 14 February 2020 and sadly passed away on 16 February 2020.

72

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 20206.  Other remuneration information

6.1 Remuneration governance
The Board of Directors has responsibility to ensure that appropriate governance is in place in relation to all human resource matters 
including remuneration. To ensure that the Board acts independently of management and is fully informed when making remuneration 
decisions, the Board has established the following protocols:

• The Board has established the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee comprised of Non-executive Directors, which 

is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on remuneration policies for Vicinity, including policies governing the 
remuneration of Executive KMP and other senior executives. Further information regarding the respective roles and responsibilities  
of the Board and the Committee are contained in their respective charters, available at www.vicinity.com.au, and in Vicinity’s  
Corporate Governance Statement.

• When considering the recommendations of the Committee, the Board applies a policy of excluding any executives from being present  

and participating in discussions impacting their own remuneration.

• The Committee can seek advice from both management and external advisors in developing its remuneration recommendations  

for the Board.

6.2 External advisors and consultants
To assist in performing its duties, and making recommendations to the Board, the Committee directly engages external advisors to provide 
input to the process of reviewing Executive KMP and Non-executive Director remuneration, and to provide advice on various aspects of the 
remuneration framework. This advice is sought when required and no advice was sought during FY20.

6.3 Security trading restrictions
Vicinity’s Securities Trading Policy prohibits senior executives from hedging or otherwise limiting their exposure to risk in relation to unvested 
Vicinity securities issued or acquired under any applicable equity arrangements.

6.4 Minimum securityholding requirement – executives
Vicinity operates a minimum securityholding requirement (MSR) for executives. This requires the CEO and other senior executives to build 
and retain a minimum holding of securities equal to 100% and 60% of TFR respectively within five years. The five-year period commenced 
from the end of the first full financial year following the merger between Novion Property Group and Federation Centres on 11 June 2015 
(i.e. by 30 June 2021), or five years from the end of the first full financial year following an executive’s commencement date, if later. 
Deferred STI and conditionally vested LTI in a 12-month holding lock count towards the MSR.

6.5 Minimum securityholding requirement – Non-executive Directors
Vicinity operates a MSR for Non-executive Directors. This encourages independent Directors to acquire a holding of securities with  
a minimum cost equal in value to one year of Non-executive Director base fees (net of income tax and superannuation) within five years  
from the introduction of the policy in 2016 or from the Director’s commencement date, if later.

73

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report6.  Other remuneration information continued

6.6 KMP securityholdings
The table below shows the securities held (directly or indirectly) by KMP as at 30 June 2020 and as at the date of this report. 

If, at any time during the five-year accumulation period, a KMP achieves the MSR, the KMP is deemed to have met the MSR, notwithstanding 
that the holding value at the end of the five-year accumulation period or at the end of a financial year during the five-year period may be less 
than the MSR. All Non-executive Directors have achieved the current MSR.

Table 6.1: KMP securityholdings

Opening
securities as at 
1 July 2019

Granted as 
remuneration1

Additions 
during
the year

Closing 
securities as at 
30 June 2020

Participation in 
the Security 
Purchase Plan2

Closing 
securities as at 
19 August 2020

100,000
32,295
50,000
33,000
30,320
47,500
13,895,373
14,188,488

151,800
-
-
151,800

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

163,575
52,078
-
215,653

50,000
-
-
-
11,956
-
-
61,956

-
-
-
-

150,000
32,295
50,000
33,000
42,276
47,500
13,895,373
14,250,444

315,375
52,078
-
367,453

20,834
-
13,889
10,417
20,834
10,417
-
76,391

20,834
-
-
20,834

170,834
32,295
63,889
43,417
63,110
57,917
13,895,373
14,326,835

336,209
52,078
-
388,287

Non-executive Directors
Trevor Gerber
Clive Appleton
Tim Hammon
Peter Kahan
Janette Kendall
Karen Penrose
David Thurin
Total
Executive KMP
Grant Kelley
Peter Huddle
Nick Schiffer
Total

1.  Reflects the FY19 deferred STI restricted securities allocated.
2.  Securities allocated on 13 July 2020 as a result of participation in the Security Purchase Plan announced on 1 June 2020.

There were no other related party transactions or balances with KMP or their controlled entities, in relation to securities held.

End of the Remuneration Report.

Signed in Sydney on 19 August 2020 in accordance with a resolution of Directors.

Trevor Gerber
Chairman

74

Remuneration Report continuedVicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Auditor’s Independence Declaration

75

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global LimitedLiability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation  Ernst & Young8 Exhibition Street Melbourne  VIC  3000  AustraliaGPO Box 67 Melbourne  VIC  3001Tel: +61 3 9288 8000Fax: +61 3 8650 7777ey.com/auAuditor’s Independence Declaration to the Directors of Vicinity Limited  As lead auditor for the audit of the financial report of Vicinity Limited for the financial year ended 30 June 2020, I declare to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been: a)no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and   b)no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. This declaration is in respect of Vicinity Limited and the entities it controlled during the financial year.    Ernst & Young    Alison Parker       Partner        19 August 2020         Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ ReportNote

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

Revenue and income
Property ownership revenue and income
Management fee revenue from strategic partnerships
Interest and other income
Total revenue and income
Share of net (loss)/profit of equity accounted investments
Property revaluation decrement for directly owned properties
Direct property expenses
Allowance for expected credit losses
Borrowing costs
Employee benefits expense
Other expenses from ordinary activities
Net foreign exchange movement on interest bearing liabilities
Net mark-to-market movement on derivatives
Impairment and amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation of right of use assets
Stamp duty written off on acquisition of investment property
(Loss)/profit before tax for the year 
Income tax expense
Net (loss)/profit for the year
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year
Total (loss)/profit and total comprehensive income for the year attributable 
to stapled securityholders as:
Securityholders of Vicinity Limited
Securityholders of other stapled entities of the Group
Net (loss)/profit and total comprehensive income for the year

2(b)
5(b)
4(b)

10
7(c)
14

16(a)
22(c)
4(b)

3(a)

1,151.8
60.8
3.7
1,216.3
(124.1)
(1,717.9)
(311.5)
(168.5)
(190.2)
(62.8)
(40.1)
(13.1)
59.8
(427.0)
(6.1)
(3.7)
(1,788.9)
(12.1)
(1,801.0)
–
(1,801.0)

29.7
(1,830.7)
(1,801.0)

Earnings per security attributable to securityholders of the Group:
Basic earnings per security (cents)
Diluted earnings per security (cents)

6
6

(47.30)
(47.30)

1,221.0
60.7
4.8
1,286.5
19.0
(237.1)
(349.4)
(4.9)
(188.2)
(95.5)
(38.5)
(57.9)
15.8
(3.7)
–
–
346.1
–
346.1
–
346.1

19.2
326.9
346.1

9.04
9.02

The above consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. AASB 16 Leases 
has been applied prospectively from 1 July 2019. Refer to Note 22 for further information.

76

Statement of Comprehensive Incomefor the year ended 30 June 2020Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables and other assets
Derivative financial instruments
Total current assets
Non-current assets
Investment properties
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Intangible assets
Plant and equipment
Derivative financial instruments
Right of use assets and net investments in leases
Deferred tax assets
Other assets
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Interest bearing liabilities
Distribution payable
Payables
Lease liabilities
Provisions
Derivative financial instruments
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing liabilities
Lease liabilities
Provisions
Derivative financial instruments
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Contributed equity
Share based payment reserve
Retained profits
Total equity

Note

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

10
7(e)

4(a)
5(a)
16(a)

7(e)
22(c)
3(c)

7(a)

11
22(c)
12
7(e)

7(a)
22(c)
12
7(e)

9

227.4
133.5
–
360.9

13,801.4
527.6
164.2
2.9
268.7
32.9
72.6
8.2
14,878.5
15,239.4

151.8
–
123.6
29.3
51.6
–
356.3

3,778.0
288.4
4.9
252.2
4,323.5
4,679.8
10,559.6

9,069.9
0.9
1,488.8
10,559.6

34.9
101.1
4.7
140.7

15,351.8
670.1
591.2
10.4
138.6
–
84.3
6.5
16,852.9
16,993.6

401.5
299.9
135.5
15.9
72.4
5.6
930.8

4,034.6
207.3
8.2
223.6
4,473.7
5,404.5
11,589.1

8,006.9
3.1
3,579.1
11,589.1

The above consolidated Balance Sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. AASB 16 Leases has been applied 
prospectively from 1 July 2019. Refer to Note 22 for further information.

77

Balance Sheetas at 30 June 2020Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Reportm
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78

Statements of Changes in Equityfor the year ended 30 June 2020Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts in the course of operations
Payments in the course of operations
Distributions and dividends received from equity accounted and managed investments
Net operating cash flows retained by equity accounted entities
Interest and other revenue received
Interest paid
Net cash inflows from operating activities – proportionate1
Less: net operating cash flows retained by equity accounted entities
Net cash inflows from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Payments for capital expenditure on investment properties
Proceeds from disposal of investment properties
Payments for acquisition of investment property
Stamp duty paid upon acquisition of investment property
Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment
Payments for plant and equipment 
Net cash (outflows)/inflows from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares
Transaction costs on issue of shares
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Payment of lease liabilities
Distributions paid to external securityholders
On-market security buy-back
Settlement of derivative financial liabilities
Debt establishment costs paid
Acquisition of shares on-market for settlement of share based payments
Net cash outflows from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents held
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

Note

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

17

4(b)
4(b)
4(b)

9

1,200.5
(545.8)
8.7
13.9
1.0
(192.4)
485.9
(13.9)
472.0

(332.1)
228.2
(68.3)
(3.7)
1.9
(1.2)
(175.2)

1,200.0
(21.4)
2,729.9
(3,242.5)
(6.7)
(589.2)
(116.0)
(42.6)
(10.0)
(5.8)
(104.3)
192.5
34.9
227.4

1,440.1
(614.0)
21.7
17.4
1.8
(187.5)
679.5
(17.4)
662.1

(413.0)
683.1
–
–
–
(1.5)
268.6

–
–
1,327.4
(1,376.0)
–
(622.1)
(255.5)
–
(4.4)
(7.3)
(937.9)
(7.2)
42.1
34.9

1.  Proportionate cash flows from operating activities includes total operating cash flows from consolidated and equity accounted entities.

The above Cash Flow Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes. AASB 16 Leases has been applied prospectively 
from 1 July 2019. Refer to Note 22 for further information.

79

Cash Flow Statementfor the year ended 30 June 2020Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ ReportNotes to the Financial Statements

The index of notes to the financial statements is shown below. Similar notes have been grouped into sections with relevant accounting 
policies and judgements and estimates disclosures incorporated within the notes to which they relate. The ‘About This Report’ section, which 
precedes the notes to the financial statements, contains information on the basis of preparation of the Financial Report, adoption of new 
accounting standards and significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions.

Operations
1 

Segment information

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Revenue and income

Taxes

Investment properties

Equity accounted investments

Earnings per security

Capital structure and financial risk management
7 

Interest bearing liabilities and derivatives

8  Capital and financial risk management

9  Contributed equity

Working capital
10  Trade receivables and other assets

11  Payables

12  Provisions

Remuneration
13  Key Management Personnel

14  Employees

15  Share based payments

Other disclosures
16  Intangible assets

17  Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

18  Auditor’s remuneration

19  Parent entity financial information

20  Related parties

21  Commitments and contingencies

22  Adoption of AASB 16 Leases 

23  Other Group accounting matters

24  Events occurring after the reporting date

80

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020About This Report

Reporting entity
The financial statements are those of the stapled Group comprising Vicinity Limited (the Company) and Vicinity Centres Trust (the Trust) 
(collectively ‘the Group’). The Stapling Deed entered into by the Company and the Trust ensures that shares in the Company and units in 
the Trust are ‘stapled’ together and are traded collectively on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under the code ‘VCX’. For financial 
reporting purposes the Company has been identified as the parent entity of the Group.

The Company and the Trust are for-profit entities that are domiciled and operate wholly in Australia.

Basis of preparation
This general purpose Financial Report:

• has been prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and Australian Accounting Standards (AASBs) issued by the 

Australian Accounting Standards Board. Compliance with AASBs ensures compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB);

• is presented in Australian dollars ($) and rounded to the nearest tenth of a million dollars ($m) in accordance with ASIC Legislative 

Instrument 2016/191 (unless otherwise stated);

• has been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention, except for certain financial assets and liabilities, and investment 

properties which have been recognised at fair value; and

• was authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 19 August 2020. The Directors have the power to amend and reissue the 

Financial Report.

The presentation of certain items has also been adjusted as necessary to provide more meaningful information in the context of the Group. 
Where the presentation or classification of items in the Financial Report is amended, comparative amounts are also reclassified unless it 
is impractical. The adjustments made to the presentation of items had no impact on the net assets or net profit/loss of the Group.

Impact of new and amended accounting standards
The new accounting standard AASB 16 Leases became effective for the Group on 1 July 2019. The impact of the adoption of AASB 16 
and changes in the Group’s accounting policies are disclosed in Note 22.

The Group has also adopted Australian Interpretation 23 Uncertainty Over Income Tax Treatments and other new and/or amended standards 
as of 1 July 2019. These did not have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group as they are either not relevant to the 
Group’s activities or require accounting which is consistent with the Group’s current accounting policies.

COVID-19 pandemic
The Group’s retail property portfolio operations were significantly impacted in the second half of the financial year by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
This impacted the financial results of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2020 and several significant judgements and estimates made 
in the preparation of the financial statements. Further information on these impacts has been included within the following notes to the 
financial statements: 

• Information on the impact of the pandemic on the financial results for the year ended 30 June 2020 has been included within Note 1, 

Segment Information.

• Where relevant, additional disclosure has been included within the notes to the financial statements on accounting judgements and 
estimates subject to a significant level of uncertainty due to the pandemic. These judgements and estimates are summarised in the 
‘Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions’ section below.

Going concern
The Group has considered the following factors at 30 June 2020 in determining that the Financial Report of the Group should be prepared 
on a going concern basis:

• At 30 June 2020 the Group had substantial available liquidity including undrawn facilities of $1,977.0 million and cash and cash equivalents 

of $227.4 million.

• The Group has prepared scenarios which consider varying levels of unfavourable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on items such as 
cash flows and compliance with key debt covenants, including gearing and interest cover ratios. Based on these scenarios, the Group 
is expected to be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due for a period of 12 months from the date of these financial statements.

81

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ ReportAbout this Report continued

Significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions 
The preparation of financial statements requires the Group to make judgements in the application of accounting policies and estimates 
when developing assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. These judgements 
and estimates are made considering historical experience and other reasonable and relevant factors but are inherently uncertain. Due to 
this inherent uncertainty, actual results may differ from these judgements and estimates.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (‘COVID-19’ or the ‘pandemic’) has increased the level of judgement and estimation applied in the 
preparation of the financial report at 30 June 2020 as the duration and extent of the pandemic and related financial, social and public 
health impacts remain unknown. Additional disclosures have been included within the relevant notes to the financial statements on 
the impact of this increased uncertainty. Sensitivity analysis on significant estimates and assumptions has been included where future 
changes may significantly impact reported revenues, expenses, assets or liabilities.

The table below summarises the areas of the Financial Report subject to significant judgement and estimation and those which are impacted 
by the increased uncertainty due to the impacts of COVID-19:

Item

Area of judgement or estimation

Valuation of 
investment  
properties

Key inputs into valuations such as capitalisation rates, discount rates, terminal yields and market rental 
growth rates are subject to a significant level of estimation and not based on observable market data. 

Property transaction activity has slowed considerably as a result of COVID-19, as such there has been 
limited transactional evidence to provide visibility on current market pricing. Additionally, the longer-term 
impact of the pandemic on the economy, consumer shopping habits and physical retail sales, which 
are key indicators of future market rental growth, is unknown. These factors mean there is increased 
uncertainty in determining key inputs into investment property valuations at 30 June 2020.

Note

4

Revenue and income 
and recoverability  
of tenant debtors

The Group’s revenue and income largely consists of fixed rental obligations due under lease agreements 
which are paid monthly in advance. Therefore, rental income and the assessment of the recoverability 
of tenant debtors have not been subject to a significant level of judgement or estimation in prior financial 
periods and prior to the impacts of the pandemic.

2 

10

Retail trade has been unfavourably impacted by COVID-19, particularly as a result of ‘stay at home orders’, 
mandatory store closures and voluntary store closures. In addition, the Federal Government introduced the 
Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) Commercial Code of Conduct (the SME Code), which contains principles 
for landlords and certain SME tenants affected by COVID-19 to negotiate rental waivers and deferrals. As a 
result of these multiple factors there has been an increase in rental income receivable at 30 June 2020. 
Significant judgement has been required in determining allowances for expected credit losses on these 
receivables as future retail trading conditions for the Group’s tenants remain uncertain.

Recognition of 
deferred tax assets

The Company recognises a deferred tax asset, primarily relating to historical tax losses. The recoverability 
of this deferred tax asset is dependent on the generation of sufficient future taxable income by the 
Company to utilise those tax losses. Estimation is required in forecasting future taxable income and 
judgement is applied in assessing an appropriate forecast period.

3

COVID-19 has caused increased uncertainty in determining certain key assumptions within the assessment 
of the future taxable income of the Company, particularly future property, development and funds 
management fee revenues, which are linked to the performance and value of the investment properties 
under management by the Company.

Recoverability of 
intangible assets

Key assumptions and inputs into the determination of fair value of the Group’s cash generating units, 
such as forecast cash flows, discount rates and growth rates, are subject to significant estimation. 

16

COVID-19 has unfavourably impacted the Group’s forecast cash flows and market assessed discount 
rates which resulted in an impairment of goodwill within the Property Investment Cash Generating Unit 
at 30 June 2020.

Valuation of  
derivative financial 
instruments

The fair value of derivative financial instruments is estimated using valuation techniques, including 
referencing to the current fair value of other instruments that are substantially the same or calculation 
of discounted cash flows.

7

82

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Operations

1. Segment information
The Group’s operating segments identified for internal reporting purposes are:

• Property Investment: comprises net property income (revenue less expenses) derived from investment in retail property; and

• Strategic Partnerships: represents fee income from property management, development, leasing and management of wholesale property funds.

Information on these segments is presented on a proportionate basis. This presents net property income and investment property assets 
relating to equity accounted properties as if they were consolidated investment properties within the Group financial statements. This allows 
for consistent internal reporting on all investment property assets and segment activities to the Chief Operating Decision Makers to make 
strategic decisions, regardless of ownership structure arrangements. During the period, the Chief Operating Decision Makers were the CEO 
and Managing Director (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Segment performance is assessed based on funds from operations (FFO), which is calculated as statutory net profit, adjusted for fair value 
movements, certain unrealised and non-cash items, and other items that are not in the ordinary course of business or are capital in nature. 
In addition to FFO, adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) is considered when assessing the performance of the Group. AFFO represents 
the Group’s FFO adjusted for investment property maintenance capital and static tenant leasing costs and other capital items incurred 
during the year. FFO and AFFO are determined with reference to guidelines published by the Property Council of Australia (PCA) and are 
non-IFRS measures.

(a) Segment results
The segment financial information and metrics provided to the Chief Operating Decision Makers are set out below. Due to the outbreak 
of COVID-19, additional information on the effects of the pandemic on the financial performance of the Group has been provided to the 
Chief Operating Decision Makers on a regular basis since February 2020. This is discussed further below.

Financial performance of segments

For the 12 months to:
Property Investment segment
Net property income
Strategic Partnerships segment
Property management, development and leasing fees
Funds management fees
Total segment income
Corporate overheads (net of internal property management fees)
Net interest expense
Funds from operations 
Adjusted for:
Maintenance capital and static tenant leasing costs
Settlement of derivative financial liabilities
Adjusted funds from operations

Key segment metrics

For the 12 months to:
FFO per security1 (cents per security)
AFFO per security1 (cents per security)
Distribution per security (DPS)2 (cents per security)
Total distributions declared2 ($m)
AFFO payout ratio (total distributions declared $m/AFFO $m) (%)
FFO payout ratio (total distributions declared $m/FFO $m) (%)

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

683.7

887.6

51.1
3.6
738.4
(42.2)
(175.9)
520.3

(60.2)
(42.6)
417.5

58.5
4.5
950.6
(68.3)
(193.0)
689.3

(83.3)
–
606.0

30-Jun-20
13.66
10.96
7.70
289.3
69.3%
55.6%

30-Jun-19
18.00
15.82
15.90
604.5
99.8%
87.7%

1.  The calculation of FFO and AFFO per security for the year uses the basic weighted average number of securities on issue as calculated in Note 6.
2.  Distributions per security and the total distribution declared are calculated based on actual number of securities outstanding at the time of the relevant distribution 

record date.

83

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate DirectorySummary of SecurityholdersIndependent  Auditor’s ReportDirectors’ DeclarationNotes to the  Financial StatementsCash Flow  StatementStatements of  Changes in EquityBalance SheetStatement of Comprehensive IncomeRemuneration ReportDirectors’ Report 
 
Operations continued

1. Segment information continued

(a) Segment results continued
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The financial performance and position of the Group and its segments were impacted during the year by the COVID-19 pandemic. In some 
cases, it is not possible to distinguish the exact impact of the pandemic on an amount within the financial statements or segment results 
from amounts that may have otherwise been incurred or realised had the pandemic not occurred. Accordingly, to assist in understanding 
the overall effects of the pandemic on the financial performance and position of the Group and its segments, the table below identifies 
items which have observed significant movements as compared to the year ended 30 June 2019 and describes how the impacts of the 
pandemic have influenced these movements. Further information on these items can be found within the relevant notes to the financial 
statements.

Item

Description

Net property income 
– allowance for 
expected credit losses

A significant amount of the Group’s rental income remains uncollected at 30 June 2020 due to 
the impacts of COVID-19 on retail trade and the Group’s tenants. Additional allowances for expected 
credit losses have been recognised reflecting the increased collection risk in the current subdued 
trading environment. 

Net property income 
– property ownership 
revenue and income

The reduction in retail trade resulted in reduced demand for other property-related revenue derived by 
the Group such as fees earned from advertising on digital media screens, car parking and the on selling 
of other services at the Group’s shopping centres.

Net property income 
– direct property 
expenses

Reduced visitation and hours of operation at the Group’s shopping centres resulted in savings in 
certain areas of expenditure. As the Group recovers a portion of these costs from certain tenants under 
lease agreements, these savings were partly shared with these tenants through reductions in property 
outgoing recoveries.

Net corporate 
overheads – employee 
benefits expense

Cost-saving measures undertaken in relation to employee benefits included full or partial stand-downs  
of various employees of the Group’s workforce, the cancellation of the Short Term Incentive program  
and a 20% reduction in executive and Board remuneration from April through to 30 June 2020.

In addition, the Group was eligible for the initial phase of the Federal Government JobKeeper wage 
subsidy program, which further reduced employee benefits expenses.

The Group deferred or cancelled non-essential maintenance capital expenditure across the portfolio and 
put several major development projects on hold. In addition, there was a reduction in static tenant leasing 
costs (lease incentives) due to a reduction in the number of lease deals being completed subsequent  
to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Note

10

2

–

14

–

On a weighted average basis, key metrics within the valuations of the investment property portfolio have 
softened, partly due to the estimated impacts of COVID-19 and partly due to other market movements.

4(b)

Capital expenditure 
– maintenance 
capital, static tenant 
leasing costs and 
development

Property revaluation 
decrement – 
segment assets

84

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020(b) Reconciliation of net profit after tax to FFO

For the 12 months to:
Net (loss)/profit after tax
Property revaluation decrement for directly owned properties1
Non-distributable loss relating to equity accounted investments1
Amortisation of incentives and leasing costs2
Straight-lining of rent adjustment3
Net mark-to-market movement on derivatives4
Net foreign exchange movement on interest bearing liabilities4
Impairment and amortisation of intangible assets4
Income tax expense5
Stamp duty
Movement in deferred performance fee
Other non-distributable items
Funds from operations

30-Jun-20  
$m
(1,801.0)
1,717.9
145.3
57.8
(8.8)
(59.8)
13.1
427.0
12.1
3.7
–
13.0
520.3

30-Jun-19  
$m
346.1
237.1
13.2
44.6
(15.1)
(15.8)
57.9
3.7
–
–
5.4
12.2
689.3

The material adjustments to net profit to arrive at FFO and reasons for their exclusion are described below:
1.  FFO excludes non-distributable fair value movements relating to directly owned investment properties and equity accounted investments.
2.  Lease incentives and leasing costs are capitalised to investment properties. Amortisation of these items is then recognised as an expense in accordance with 

Australian Accounting Standards. In accordance with the PCA Guidelines amortisation of these items are excluded from FFO as:
•  static (non-development) lease incentives committed during the year relating to static centres are reflected within maintenance capital and static tenant leasing 

costs within the AFFO calculation at Note 1(a); and

•  development leasing costs are included within the capital cost of the relevant development project.

3.  Straight-lining of rental revenue, which is required by Australian Accounting Standards, is an unrealised non-cash amount and excluded from FFO.
4.  Represent non-cash adjustments as required by Australian Accounting Standards and are excluded from FFO.
5.  The Group has significant unused tax losses which have been used to satisfy current tax obligations. Income tax expense will be included within FFO when these 

tax losses are fully utilised.

(c) Reconciliation of segment income to total revenue
Refer to Note 2 for a reconciliation of total segment income to total revenue and income in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

(d) Segment assets and liabilities
The property investment segment reported to the CEO, COO and CFO includes investment properties held directly and those that are included 
in equity accounted investments. A breakdown of the total investment properties in the property investment segment is shown below:

Investment properties1
Investment properties included in equity accounted investments2
Total interests in directly owned investment properties
Assets under management on behalf of strategic partners3
Total assets under management

Note
4(a)1
5(c)2

30-Jun-20  
$m
13,492.6
621.2
14,113.8
9,492.0
23,605.8

30-Jun-19  
$m
15,096.4
718.8
15,815.2
10,819.1
26,634.3

1.  Calculated as total investment properties at Note 4(a) less investment property leaseholds and planning and holding costs.
2.  Excludes planning and holding costs relating to investment properties included in equity accounted investments.
3.  Represents the value of property interests managed, but not owned, consolidated or otherwise accounted for by the Group.

All other assets and liabilities are not allocated by segment for reporting to the CEO, COO and CFO.

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Operations continued

2. Revenue and income

(a) Accounting policies
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on retail trade and the introduction of the SME Code, which contains principles for 
landlords and SME tenants impacted by COVID-19 to negotiate rental waivers and deferrals, the Group expects to provide rental assistance 
to many of its tenants. This assistance may take the form of rental waivers, payment deferrals or other changes to existing lease payment 
structures or lease terms. 

At 30 June 2020 the majority of these rental assistance negotiations were ongoing. Accordingly, lease rental income for the majority of leases 
continued to be recognised in accordance with the terms of the lease contracts in place during the year. Once any rental assistance is 
agreed with a tenant, the Group anticipates these will be treated as a lease modification with the following effects on the financial statements:

• Existing lease receivables waived will be written off through profit and loss, except to the extent of a pre-existing provision for expected 

credit losses relating to outstanding lease receivables.

• Lease rental income due over the remaining lease term, which will incorporate any future reductions in fixed lease payments, will be 

recognised on a straight-line basis.

• Payment deferrals granted will continue to be recognised as lease receivables until they are collected.

The assessment of the revised terms of lease contracts to determine whether a lease modification has occurred will be an area of 
significant judgement in future periods. Further information on the significant estimates and assumptions applied in determining expected 
credit losses on outstanding lease receivables at 30 June 2020 can be found in Note 10. 

Property ownership revenue and income
The Group derives revenue and income in connection with the leasing and operation of its portfolio of investment properties. This comprises:

Lease rental income
The Group derives lease rental income as lessor from the leasing of the retail space within these investment properties. Lease income is 
recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Items included in the straight-lining calculation are fixed rental payments, in-substance 
fixed payments, lease incentives given to tenants and fixed rental increases that form part of lease agreements.

Revenue from recovery of property outgoings
Under certain tenant lease agreements, the Group recovers from tenants a portion of costs incurred by the Group in the operation and 
maintenance of its shopping centres. The Group, acting as principal, incurs these costs with third party suppliers and includes them within 
direct property expenses in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Recovery amounts are invoiced to tenants each month (over time) 
at the start of the month for the provision of that month’s services based on an annual estimate. Accordingly, where recovery amounts are 
received in advance, no adjustment is made for the effects of a financing component. Adjustments to reflect recoveries based on actual 
costs incurred are recorded within revenue in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and billed annually.

Other property-related revenue
Other property-related revenue includes fees earned from advertising, car parking and the on selling of other services at the Group’s 
shopping centres. The material components of this revenue are recognised over time as the relevant services are provided and relevant 
performance obligations satisfied.

Management fee revenue from strategic partnerships
These comprise:

Property management fees 
The Group manages retail investment properties on behalf of its co-owners and other external parties. In connection with the provision  
of these management services the Group derives fee revenue from:

• Ongoing retail investment property management. This is recognised monthly (over time) as property management services are provided. 

In accordance with the relevant property management agreements, fee revenue is calculated as a percentage of a property’s gross 
revenue and income. Fees are invoiced and paid in the month the service is provided.

• Tenant leasing management services. Fees are recognised and invoiced at either the date of lease instruction or lease execution (point 
in time) depending on the specific property management agreement. Revenue is generally calculated as a percentage of year one rental 
income achieved.

86

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Property development fees
The Group provides development management and development leasing services to its co-owners and other external parties. The Group 
accounts for all property development services provided under these agreements as a single performance obligation as all activities involved 
in property development management are highly interrelated. Property development fees are therefore calculated in accordance with the 
relevant development agreement and recognised over time on a time elapsed input method over the life of the relevant development project.

Funds management fees 
The Group provides fund management services to wholesale property funds and property mandates. Services are provided on an ongoing 
basis and revenue is calculated and recognised monthly (over time) as fund management services are provided in accordance with the 
relevant fund constitutions.

(b) Summary of revenue and income
A summary of the Group’s total revenue and income included within the Statement of Comprehensive Income by segment and reconciliation 
to total segment income is shown below.

For the 12 months to:
Recovery of property outgoings1
Other property related revenue1
Property management and development fees2
Funds management fees2
Total revenue from contracts with customers

Lease rental income1
Interest and other income
Total income
Total revenue and income

30-Jun-20  
$m
Strategic 
Partnerships 
segment
–
–
57.1
3.7
60.8

–
–
–
60.8

Property 
Investment 
segment
184.8
79.8
–
–
264.6

887.2
3.7
890.9
1,155.5

Reconciliation to segment income
Property-related expenses included in segment income
Allowance for expected credit losses
Net property income from equity accounted investments included in segment income
Straight-lining of rent adjustment
Amortisation of static lease incentives and other project items
Interest and other revenue not included in segment income
Total segment income

Total
184.8
79.8
57.1
3.7
325.4

887.2
3.7
890.9
1,216.3

(369.6)
(168.5)
24.8
(8.8)
57.8
(13.6)
738.4

30-Jun-19  
$m
Strategic 
Partnerships 
segment
–
–
61.6
(0.9)
60.7

–
–
–
60.7

Property 
Investment 
segment
209.2
93.4
–
–
302.6

918.4
4.8
923.2
1,225.8

Total
209.2
93.4
61.6
(0.9)
363.3

918.4
4.8
923.2
1,286.5

(394.0)
(4.9)
35.0
(15.1)
44.6
(1.5)
950.6

1.  Included within ‘Property ownership revenue and income’ in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
2.  Included within ‘Management fee revenue from strategic partnerships’ in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

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3. Taxes

(a) Group taxation summary
Income tax
Vicinity Centres Trust (flow through trust structure)
The Trust and its controlled trusts are not liable to pay income tax (including capital gains tax) on the basis that the taxable income 
from the Trust’s property investments is taxed on a flow through basis in the hands of the Trust’s securityholders in accordance with 
the Attribution Managed Investment Trust Regime. The Trust’s securityholders pay tax at their marginal tax rates, in the case of Australian 
resident securityholders, or through the withholding rules that apply to non-resident securityholders investing in Managed Investment Trusts. 
As a result, the Group has zero income tax expense recognised in respect of the Trust’s profit.

Vicinity Limited (corporate tax group)
The Company and its subsidiaries have formed a Tax Consolidated Group (TCG). Under this arrangement, the Company, the head entity 
of the TCG, accounts for its own current and deferred tax amounts and assumes those from subsidiaries in the TCG. Members of the TCG 
have entered into a tax funding arrangement which sets out the funding obligations of members of the TCG in respect of tax amounts. The 
tax funding arrangement requires payments to/from the head entity to be recognised via an inter-entity receivable/payable which is at call. 

Income tax expense for the year is calculated at the Australian corporate tax rate of 30% and comprises current and deferred tax expense, any 
adjustments relating to current tax of prior periods and movements in off balance sheet deferred tax assets. These amounts are recognised 
in profit or loss, except to the extent they relate to items recognised directly in other comprehensive income or equity. Current tax expense 
represents the expense relating to the expected taxable income at the applicable rate for the current financial year. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the expected manner of recovery of the carrying value of an asset or liability. 
Deferred tax charges represent the future tax consequences of recovering or settling the carrying amount of an asset or liability. These future 
tax consequences are recorded as deferred tax assets to the extent it is probable that future taxable profits or deferred tax liabilities will be 
available to utilise them. Where appropriate, deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset as permitted by Australian Accounting Standards.

Forecasts of future taxable income are determined based on the results of the Group’s budgeting and planning process, adjusted for items 
with specific tax consequences for the Company. This process requires estimates to be made in developing assumptions about income and 
expenses (and their tax consequences) in future periods and significant judgement is applied in determining the length of the future time 
period to use in the assessment. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these assumptions and judgements is discussed in Note 4(c).

A summary of the components of Vicinity Limited’s income tax expense is shown below:

For the 12 months to:
Current income tax expense
Deferred income tax (expense)/benefit
Adjustment for current year tax of prior periods
Decrease in unrecognised deferred tax assets
Income tax expense

30-Jun-20  
$m
(7.8)
(4.4)
(0.4)
0.5
(12.1)

30-Jun-19  
$m
(9.6)
4.7
(1.2)
6.1
–

Statutory taxes and levies
The Group also incurs federal, state based and local authority taxes including land tax, council rates and levies. These are included within 
direct property expenses in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Additionally, employee benefits expense within the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income includes employment-related taxes such as fringe benefits tax, payroll tax and workcover contributions.

Further details on statutory taxes and levies can be found in the Tax Transparency section of the Annual Report. 

88

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Goods and Services Tax
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of Goods and Services Tax (GST) except:

• Where the GST incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the GST 

is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and

• Receivables and payables, which are stated with the amount of GST included.

The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included within the Balance Sheet. Cash flows are included 
in the Cash Flow Statement on a gross basis and the GST component of cash flows arising from investing and financing activities that is 
recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is classified as part of operating cash flows. Commitments and contingencies are 
disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority. Further details on GST can be found in the 
Tax Transparency section of the Annual Report.

Voluntary Tax Transparency Code
The Group is a signatory to the Tax Transparency Code (TTC). Part A of the TTC recommends disclosure of Company effective tax rates. 
As outlined above, taxable income from the Trust’s property investments is taxed on a flow through basis in the hands of the Trust’s 
securityholders. The Company is taxed at the Australian corporate tax rate (currently 30%); however, as a result of utilising previously 
unrecognised deferred tax assets, the effective tax rate based on current income tax payable for the Company is 28.6%. Further information 
can be found in the Tax Transparency section of the Annual Report.

(b) Reconciliation between net profit and income tax benefit 

For the 12 months to:
(Loss)/Profit before tax for the year
Less: Loss/(Profit) attributed to the Trust and not subject to tax1
Net profit before tax attributable to securityholders of Vicinity Limited 

Prima facie income tax (expense) at 30%

Tax effect of amounts not taxable in calculating income tax expense:

Net adjustment relating to share based payments
Other permanent differences

Prior period adjustments
Decrease in unrecognised deferred tax assets (allowable deductions)
Decrease in unrecognised deferred tax assets (tax losses)
Income tax (expense)

30-Jun-20  
$m
(1,788.9)
1,831.2
42.3

30-Jun-19  
$m
346.1
(320.8)
25.3

(12.7)

(7.6)

0.4
0.1
(0.4)
0.5
–
(12.1)

1.3
1.4
(1.2)
0.7
5.4
–

1.  As outlined above taxable income from the Trust’s property investments is taxed on a flow through basis in the hands of the Trust’s securityholders. Includes adjustment 
for $0.5 million income tax expense recognised by Vicinity Limited which has been offset against the Vicinity Group’s unrecognised deferred tax assets disclosed 
below (30 June 2019: $6.1 million).

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3. Taxes continued

(c) Movement in temporary differences
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased uncertainty in determining certain key assumptions within the assessment of future taxable 
income of the Company upon which recognition of deferred tax assets is assessed. Key assumptions subject to this increased uncertainty 
include future funds, property and development management fee revenues, which are linked to the performance and value of the investment 
properties under management by the Company.

A summary of the movements in deferred tax balances is as follows:

At 30 June 2018
Deferred income tax (expense)/benefit
At 30 June 2019

Current tax expense
Adjustment of current tax of prior periods
Deferred income tax (expense)/benefit

Charged to profit
Charged directly to equity

Transfers
At 30 June 2020

Provisions  
$m
19.9
(0.4)
19.5

Intangible 
assets  
$m
(1.1)
1.1
–

–
–

(8.5)
–
–
11.0

–
–

–
–
–
–

Other  
$m
(2.4)
4.0
1.6

–
–

4.6
0.4
(0.2)
6.4

Tax losses  
$m
67.9
(4.7)
63.2

(7.8)
(0.4)

–
–
0.2
55.2

Total  
$m
84.3
–
84.3

(7.8)
(0.4)

(3.9)
0.4
–
72.6

Unrecognised deferred tax assets totalled $13.0 million at 30 June 2020 (30 June 2019: $13.5 million) comprising:

• allowable deductions of $nil (30 June 2019: $0.5 million); and

• tax losses of $13.0 million (30 June 2019: $13.0 million).

These unrecognised deferred tax assets do not expire.

90

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 20204. Investment properties
The Group’s investment properties represent freehold and leasehold interests in land and buildings held either to derive rental income 
or for capital appreciation, or both. They are initially measured at cost, including related transaction costs. 

Subsequently, at each reporting period, they are carried at their fair values based on the market value, being the price that would be received 
to sell an investment property in an orderly, arms length transaction between market participants at the reporting date. Fair values for 
investment properties are determined by independent (external) valuers or internal valuations. These valuations include the cost of capital 
works in progress on development projects. 

Note 4(c) contains details of the Group’s valuation process and valuation methods, including how the process was adjusted during the 
current period to consider the material valuation uncertainty which has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemics uncertain impacts 
on retail investment property values at 30 June 2020.

(a) Portfolio summary

30-Jun-20

30-Jun-19

Shopping centre type
Super Regional
Major Regional
City Centre
Regional
Outlet Centre
Sub Regional
Neighbourhood
Planning and holding costs1
Total
Add: Investment property leaseholds2
Total investment properties

Number of 
properties
1
7
7
8
7
24
4
–
58

Value  
$m
3,119.2
2,126.6
2,218.0
1,484.7
1,760.2
2,588.7
195.2
29.3
13,521.9
279.5
13,801.4

Weighted 
average  
cap rate  
%
3.88
5.92
4.81
6.70
5.94
6.55
6.52
–
5.48

Number of 
properties
1
7
7
9
6
25
5
–
60

Weighted 
average  
cap rate  
%
3.75
5.66
4.65
6.28
5.82
6.33
6.31
–
5.32

Value  
$m
3,250.0
2,564.2
2,466.0
1,865.6
1,737.7
2,961.4
251.5
32.2
15,128.6
223.2
15,351.8

1.  Planning and holding costs relating to planned major development projects are capitalised and carried within the overall investment property balance. The status 

of each project is reviewed each period to determine if continued capitalisation of these costs remains appropriate.

2.  During the year, the Group adopted AASB 16 Leases and reassessed the assumed lease term relating to several of the Group’s long-term investment property 

leasehold arrangements. This resulted in an increase in the value of investment property leaseholds (and related liabilities) of $43.2 million. A further $13.1 million 
of adjustments arose relating to market rent reassessments, recognition of new agreements and revaluations. Refer to Note 22(c) for further details of investment 
property leasehold balances.

(b) Movements for the year 
As part of the Group’s continuing focus on portfolio enhancement, the sale of the following investment properties occurred during the year:

• Corio Central (December 2019) for $101.0 million1;

• Lennox Village (December 2019) for $31.5 million1; 

• Mt Ommaney Centre (November 2019) for $94.5 million1; and

• other ancillary land disposals totalling $5.2 million1.

The Group also acquired a 50% interest in Uni Hill Factory Outlets on 6 April 2020 for $67.8 million1.

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4. Investment properties continued

(b) Movements for the year continued
A reconciliation of the movements in investment properties is shown in the table below.

Opening balance at 1 July
Acquisitions including associated stamp duty and transaction costs
Capital expenditure2
Capitalised borrowing costs3
Disposals
Property revaluation decrement for directly owned properties5
Stamp duty written off on acquisition of investment property
Amortisation of incentives and leasing costs4
Straight-lining of rent adjustment
Closing balance at 30 June

30-Jun-20  
$m
15,128.6
72.0
317.1
2.3
(228.2)
(1,717.2)
(3.7)
(57.8)
8.8
13,521.9

30-Jun-19  
$m
15,672.6
–
399.4
6.3
(683.1)
(237.1)
–
(44.6)
15.1
15,128.6

1.  Amounts exclude transaction costs and stamp duty incurred on acquisitions. 
2.  Includes development costs, maintenance capital expenditure, lease incentives, fit-out and other capital costs.
3.  Borrowing costs incurred in the construction of qualifying assets have been capitalised at a weighted average rate of 4.1% (30 June 2019: 4.6%).
4.  For leases where Vicinity is the lessor in the lease arrangement.
5.  The property revaluation decrement of $1,717.2 million is before the addition of investment property leaseholds. The $1,717.9 million revaluation decrement 
presented within the Statement of Comprehensive Income includes a $0.7 million revaluation decrement of investment property leaseholds held at fair value.

(c) Portfolio valuation
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – valuation uncertainty
At 30 June 2020 retail trade had been significantly impacted by the pandemic and the duration and extent of these impacts on retail 
property valuations were highly uncertain. Additionally since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a lack of transactional evidence 
to provide visibility of its impacts on current market pricing. These factors have meant that there was significant estimation uncertainty 
in determining key inputs into the fair value of the Group’s investment properties at 30 June 2020, causing material valuation uncertainty. 
The table below further discusses the key factors causing material valuation uncertainty and how they may influence investment property 
fair values in the future. The existence of material valuation uncertainty at 30 June 2020 was also noted by the Group’s independent 
valuers as discussed in the valuation process section below.

Uncertainty factor

Description

Property 
transaction market

COVID-19 has considerably slowed the property transaction market, impacting the availability of current comparable 
transaction evidence on which to determine market-based capitalisation and discount rates applied to property 
income to determine fair value. Transactions that occur in the future may evidence market pricing which varies 
from the estimated 30 June 2020 investment property fair values.

Impact of shutdowns 
and restrictions on 
future retail property 
performance

Social distancing, domestic and international travel restrictions, voluntary shutdowns and mandatory business 
shutdowns (including certain retailers within the Group’s investment properties) have resulted in increased 
unemployment and a significant reduction in economic activity. These factors (amongst others) are unfavourably 
impacting on consumer spending, shopping habits and physical retail sales. If these unfavourable trends continue 
in the future, further rental waivers or deferrals may be required to assist tenants through the impacted period. 
There could also be further reductions in market rentals, longer tenant vacancy and downtime periods, or more 
tenant administrations, all of which will impact investment property fair values. The longer the pandemic continues 
and restrictions remain in place, the greater the potential risk to investment property fair values.

Government policy

Government policies such as the SME Code require the Group to provide financial support in the form of rental 
waivers and deferrals to eligible retailers. If these policies are changed or expanded it may result in the Group 
having to provide additional financial support to retailers. In addition, the Group may need to provide further 
financial support to affected non-SME retailers. This could negatively impact property fair values. Additionally, 
the extent of stimulus measures such as JobKeeper and JobSeeker will impact consumer spending and retail 
sales, which may influence market rentals and tenant vacancy and downtime periods.

92

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
Valuation process
In response to the material valuation uncertainty outlined above, the Group revised its valuation processes at 30 June 2020, including:

• Obtaining independent (external) valuations for all investment properties. In normal market conditions the Group obtains independent 

valuations only once in each financial year (at either half year or year end), with an internal valuation being undertaken at the alternate 
reporting period. 

• Providing information to independent valuers on the observed and estimated future impacts of COVID-19 on each investment property. 
This included regular reporting on tenants who had involuntarily or voluntarily closed, the status of any rental relief discussions and the 
outcomes of any changes to lease arrangements as a result of COVID-19. This was in addition to the provision of customary valuation 
information which commonly comprises tenancy schedules, capital and expense budgets, foot traffic and tenant sales performance.

• Assessing the reasonableness of COVID-19 related adjustments such as rental waivers and capital requirements incorporated by 

independent valuers into the investment property valuations. These were assessed against the observed impacts of the pandemic 
on each property and expected future impacts based on the facts and circumstances existing at 30 June 2020. 

• Reviewing the ‘material valuation uncertainty’ clause, which was included by independent valuers within each valuation. The inclusion 
of this clause is consistent with the guidelines issued by the Australian Property Institute and highlights that while valuations can still 
be relied upon at 30 June 2020, due to the uncertain impacts of COVID-19 there is potential for significant and unexpected movements 
in value over a relatively short period of time post the valuation being completed. Valuations should therefore be reviewed on a more 
frequent basis than usual.

• Continually monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation to identify whether there was any additional information available on its impacts 

that was relevant to measuring the fair value of investment properties at the end of the reporting period. The increase in COVID-19 cases 
observed in Victoria in late June 2020 and announcement of specific postcode lockdowns on 30 June 2020 was identified as relevant 
information and the Group’s consideration of its impact on investment property fair values is discussed below.

There were no changes to the Group’s process in relation to the selection and rotation of independent valuers. Independent valuers 
appointed by the Group are selected from a pre-approved panel and must be:

• authorised by law to carry out such valuations and have at least five years’ valuation experience (including at least two years in Australia); and

• rotated across all properties at a minimum every three years (the last full portfolio rotation was undertaken during the financial year 

ended 30 June 2019).

Additional considerations for Victorian investment properties
In late June 2020, Victoria experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 cases with specific postcode lockdowns being announced on  
30 June 2020. The Group considered that the occurrence of these events provided enough evidence at 30 June 2020 that further 
lockdown restrictions in Victoria were likely to be implemented after the end of the period. 

The independent valuers had not specifically considered a further lockdown in Victoria as likely prior to providing valuations to the Group 
due to the close proximity of the increase in cases and postcode lockdowns to 30 June 2020. Rather, as disclosed in the ‘Key inputs and 
assumptions’ section below, independent valuations incorporated specific unobservable adjustments for the estimated impact of future 
uncertain trading and economic conditions caused by COVID-19.

Accordingly, the Group made an internal estimate of the impact of possible further lockdown restrictions on independently determined  
30 June 2020 fair values. This identified an additional revaluation decrement of $24.5 million based on a most likely scenario of ‘Stage 3’ 
type restrictions implemented for up to an eight week period. This most likely scenario was similar to the lockdowns which occurred in 
March and April 2020.

As the additional $24.5m revaluation decrement was determined internally by the Group and not by the independent valuers, the list of 
investment properties shown within Note 4(d) identifies both the independent valuation amount and the carrying value at 30 June 2020, 
after adjusting for the estimated impacts of the renewed restrictions in Victoria.

As disclosed in Note 24, subsequent to 30 June 2020 the Victorian Government announced Stage 3 lockdowns on 7 July 2020 and 
extended Stage 4 lockdowns on 2 August 2020. An escalation to Stage 4 restrictions was not envisaged by the Group and therefore the 
announcement on 2 August 2020 would unfavourably impact the 30 June 2020 fair value of investment properties had it been considered 
at that time.

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4.  Investment properties continued

(c)  Portfolio valuation continued
Valuation methodology
Retail investment property valuations commonly adopt a fair value within the range calculated with reference to the ‘capitalisation of net 
income’ and ‘discounted cash flow’ (DCF) methods. The table below details each valuation methodology. The expected impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on short to medium-term sales and rental growth has resulted in a number of the independent valuations obtained at 30 June 2020 
placing greater emphasis on the DCF method.

Valuation method

Description

Discounted  
cash flow (DCF)

Projected cash flows for a selected investment period (usually 10 years) are derived from contracted or future 
estimates of market rents, operating costs, lease incentives and capital expenditure. 

The cash flows assume the property is sold at the end of the investment period (10 years) for a terminal value. 
This terminal value is calculated by capitalising in perpetuity assumed market rent income at the end of the 
investment period by an appropriate terminal yield, except for leasehold properties where the terminal value may 
be calculated by other methodology to account for the finite term remaining on the ground lease at that time. 

Fair value is determined to be the present value of these projected cash flows, which is calculated by applying a 
market-derived discount rate to the cash flows.

Capitalisation  
of net income

The fully leased annual net income of the property is capitalised in perpetuity from the valuation date, except for 
leasehold properties where in most instances, depending on the term remaining on the ground lease, the fully 
leased annual net income of the property is capitalised for the remaining ground lease term. Various adjustments 
are then made to the calculated result, including estimated future incentives, capital expenditure, vacancy 
allowances and reversions to market rent. 

The capitalisation rate reflects the nature, location and tenancy profile of the property together with current 
market investment criteria, as evidenced by current market transactions.

Residual value  
(for properties 
under development)

The value of the asset on completion is calculated using the capitalisation of net income and DCF methods 
as described above, based on the forecast income profile at development completion. The estimated cost to 
complete the development, including construction costs and associated expenditures, finance costs, and an 
allowance for developer’s risk and profit and post development stabilisation, is deducted from the value of  
the asset on completion to derive the current value. 

Key assumptions and inputs
As the capitalisation of income and discounted cash flow valuation methods include key inputs that are not based on observable market 
data (namely market derived capitalisation and discount rates), investment property valuations are considered ‘Level 3’ of the fair value 
hierarchy (refer Note 23(a) for further details on the fair value hierarchy). 

As described in the ‘Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic’ section above, due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, there was significant 
estimation uncertainty in determining key valuation inputs for 30 June 2020 reporting. Key unobservable inputs used by the Group in 
determining fair value of its investment properties are summarised in the table below. These are consistent with key inputs assessed in 
prior reporting periods and have softened across the portfolio (weighted average basis), partly due to the estimated impacts of COVID-19 
and partly due to other market movements. 

Valuations at 30 June 2020 also incorporated specific unobservable adjustments relating to COVID-19. These adjustments reduced investment 
property fair values and comprised (where appropriate):

• Allowances for short-term rental waivers and deferrals ranging from 0–12 months to be provided to tenants impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. 

• Lower short to medium-term growth rates within the DCF valuations due to anticipated softer economic conditions (the change in market 

rental growth rate is shown in the table below).

• Higher tenant turnover, increased downtime to re-lease tenancies and higher overall property vacancy rates (the change in market rental 

growth rate is shown in the table below).

• Increased tenant incentives to lease space at assets.

94

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 202030-Jun-20

30-Jun-19

Weighted 
average 

Weighted 
average 

Unobservable inputs
Capitalisation rate1
Discount rate2
Terminal yield3
Expected downtime  
(for tenants vacating)
Market rents and rental 
growth rate

Range of inputs
3.88% – 8.00%
6.00% – 9.00%
4.13% – 8.00%

3 months to  
15 months
2.00% – 3.17%

inputs Range of inputs
3.75% – 7.75%
5.48%
6.00% – 8.75%
6.83%
4.00% – 8.00%
5.68%
7 months  

3 months to  
12 months
2.43% – 4.07%

2.76%

inputs Sensitivity
5.32% The higher the capitalisation rate, 
6.88%
5.53%
6 months

discount rate, terminal yield and 
expected downtime due to tenants 
vacating, the lower the fair value.

3.33% The higher the assumed market rent 

and rental growth rate, the higher 
the fair value.

1.  The capitalisation rate is the required annual yield of net market income used to determine the value of the property. The rate is determined with regards to comparable 

market transactions.

2.  The discount rate is a required annual total rate of return used to convert the forecast cash flow of an asset into present value terms. It should reflect the required 
rate of return of the property given its risk profile relative to competing uses of capital. The rate is determined with regards to comparable market transactions.
3.  The terminal yield is the capitalisation rate used to convert forecast annual income into a forecast asset value at the end of the holding period when carrying out 

a discounted cash flow calculation. The rate is determined with regards to comparable market transactions and the expected risk inherent in the cash flows at the end 
of the cash flow period. Leasehold properties with tenure less than 20 years (at the end of the 10-year investment horizon) have been excluded from this sensitivity 
for comparative reasons given the terminal value calculation can differ to take into account the finite term remaining on the leasehold at that time. 

All the above key assumptions have been taken from the latest external valuation reports and internal valuation assessments (where 
applicable in the prior year). For all investment properties, the current use equates to the highest and best use.

Sensitivity analysis
The following sensitivities illustrate the impact of changes in key unobservable inputs (in isolation) on the fair value of the Group’s investment 
properties at 30 June 2020. Specific key unobservable inputs may impact only the capitalisation method, the DCF method or both methods. 

DCF method

30 June 2020 ($m)
Actual valuation1 ($m)
Impact on actual valuation ($m)
Resulting valuation ($m)

Capitalisation of net income method

30 June 2020 ($m)
Actual valuation1 ($m)
Impact on actual valuation ($m)
Resulting valuation ($m)

Carrying 
value
13,492.6
–
–

Discount 
rate 
 -0.25%
–
+257.5
13,750.1

Discount 
rate  
+0.25%
–
(249.2)
13,243.4

10-year 
rental 
growth rate 
-0.25%
–
(167.1)
13,325.5

10-year 
rental 
growth rate 
+0.25%
–
167.3
13,659.9

Carrying 
value
13,492.6
–
–

Capitalisation 
rate  
-0.25%
–
+703.0
14,195.6

Capitalisation 
rate  
+0.25%
–
(645.1)
12,847.5

1.  Excludes planning and holding costs and investment property leaseholds.

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Operations continued

4. Investment properties continued

(d) List of investment properties held
The tables below summarise the independent (external) valuation and carrying value for each investment property. 

As discussed in the ‘Additional considerations for Victorian investment properties’ section of Note 4(c), for investment properties located  
in Victoria, the carrying value reflects the independent valuation amount and an adjustment for the estimated impacts of the increase in 
COVID-19 cases observed in Victoria in late June 2020.

Ownership 
interest  
%
50

Independent 
valuation 
30-Jun-20  
$m
3,130.0
3,130.0

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
3,119.2
3,119.2

30-Jun-19  
$m
3,250.0
3,250.0

Ownership 
interest  
%
50
100
50
50
50
50
50

Independent 
valuation 
30-Jun-20  
$m
275.0
460.3
250.0
227.5
425.0
142.2
350.0
2,130.0

 Ownership 
interest  
%
50
33
50
100
50
25
50

Independent 
valuation 
30-Jun-20  
$m
642.5
149.3
300.0
700.0
164.0
140.0
125.0
2,220.8

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
275.0
459.8
250.0
227.5
422.1
142.2
350.0
2,126.6

30-Jun-19  
$m
337.5
591.4
337.5
275.0
494.1
167.7
361.0
2,564.2

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
640.0
149.0
300.0
700.0
164.0
140.0
125.0
2,218.0

30-Jun-19  
$m
705.0
164.0
330.0
790.0
170.0
180.0
127.0
2,466.0

i. Super Regional

Chadstone
Total Super Regional

ii. Major Regional

Bankstown Central 
Bayside
Galleria
Mandurah Forum
Northland
Roselands 
The Glen 
Total Major Regional

iii. City Centre

Emporium Melbourne
Myer Bourke Street
Queen Victoria Building1
QueensPlaza
The Galeries
The Myer Centre Brisbane
The Strand Arcade
Total City Centre

Refer to footnotes at the end of Note 4(d).

96

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020iv. Regional

Broadmeadows Central
Colonnades 
Cranbourne Park 
Eastlands
Elizabeth City Centre
Grand Plaza
Rockingham Centre
Runaway Bay Centre
Mt Ommaney Centre8
Total Regional

v. Outlet Centre

DFO Brisbane2
DFO Essendon3
DFO Homebush
DFO Moorabbin4
DFO Perth5
DFO South Wharf6
DFO Uni Hill9
Total Outlet Centre

Refer to footnotes at the end of Note 4(d).

Ownership 
interest  
%
100
50
50
100
100
50
50
50
–

Independent 
valuation  
30-Jun-20  
$m
269.7
113.2
130.0
156.8
300.0
185.0
217.5
112.5
–
1,484.7

Ownership 
interest  
%
100
100
100
100
50
100
50

Independent 
valuation  
30-Jun-20  
$m
62.5
170.0
590.0
113.0
105.0
665.0
61.0
1,766.5

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
269.7
113.2
130.0
156.8
300.0
185.0
217.5
112.5
–
1,484.7

30-Jun-19  
$m
324.2
126.8
152.0
173.0
368.1
217.5
270.0
142.5
91.5
1,865.6

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
62.5
167.3
590.0
111.9
105.0
663.0
60.5
1,760.2

30-Jun-19  
$m
64.0
178.0
540.0
125.2
110.5
720.0
–
1,737.7

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4. Investment properties continued

(d) List of investment properties held continued
vi. Sub Regional

Altona Gate Shopping Centre
Armidale Central
Box Hill Central (North Precinct)
Box Hill Central (South Precinct)7
Buranda Village
Carlingford Court 
Castle Plaza
Ellenbrook Central
Gympie Central 
Halls Head Central
Karratha City 
Kurralta Central
Lake Haven Centre
Livingston Marketplace
Maddington Central 
Mornington Central
Nepean Village
Northgate
Roxburgh Village
Sunshine Marketplace 
Taigum Square
Warriewood Square 
Warwick Grove
Whitsunday Plaza
Corio Central8
Total Sub Regional

Refer to footnotes at the end of Note 4(d).

Ownership 
interest  
%
100
100
100
100
100
50
100
100
100
50
50
100
100
100
100
50
100
100
100
50
100
50
100
100
–

Independent 
valuation  
30-Jun-20  
$m
100.0
36.0
128.0
220.0
38.0
105.0
151.4
242.0
72.5
40.0
40.0
42.0
283.9
83.0
93.0
36.0
204.0
85.0
95.7
60.3
85.0
137.5
150.0
61.6
–
2,589.9

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
100.0
36.0
127.5
219.5
38.0
105.0
151.4
242.0
72.5
40.0
40.0
42.0
283.9
83.0
93.0
36.0
204.0
85.0
95.7
60.1
85.0
137.5
150.0
61.6
–
2,588.7

30-Jun-19  
$m
106.5
44.0
126.5
234.0
42.0
123.5
173.4
244.0
77.5
47.5
47.5
44.6
323.4
90.0
109.0
36.0
207.0
100.0
122.6
62.4
99.7
150.0
180.0
65.3
105.0
2,961.4

98

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020vii. Neighbourhood

Dianella Plaza 
Milton Village
Oakleigh Central
Victoria Park Central
Lennox Village8
Total Neighbourhood

Ownership 
interest  
%
100
100
100
100
–

Independent 
valuation  
30-Jun-20  
$m
63.0
34.3
72.6
25.3
–
195.2

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
63.0
34.3
72.6
25.3
–
195.2

30-Jun-19  
$m
80.0
31.7
79.8
28.5
31.5
251.5

1.  The title to this property is leasehold and expires in 2083.
2.  The right to operate the DFO Brisbane business expires in 2046.
3.  The title to this property is leasehold and expires in 2048.
4.  The title to this property is leasehold with an option to extend the ground lease to 2034 at the Group’s discretion. 
5.  The title to this property is leasehold and expires in 2047.
6.  The title to this property is leasehold and expires in 2108.
7.  The title to this property is leasehold with options to extend the ground lease to 2134 at the Group’s discretion.
8.  Disposed of during the year.
9.  Acquired during the year.

(e) Future undiscounted lease payments to be received from operating leases
The Group’s investment properties are leased to tenants under operating leases with rentals payable monthly. Future undiscounted lease 
payments to be received for the period of operating leases of investment properties are shown in the table below. These include amounts 
to be received for recovery of property outgoings for tenants on gross leases which will be accounted for as revenue from contracts with 
customers when earned1. Rentals which may be received when tenant sales exceed set thresholds and separately invoiced amounts  
for recovery of property outgoings are excluded1.

The amounts shown in the table below have not been adjusted for the possible impacts that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have 
on existing lease agreements. As disclosed in Note 2 and Note 10, the Group is expecting to provide further rental waivers and deferrals 
to tenants as a result of the pandemic which, once agreed, may reduce the future lease payments to be received disclosed below.

Not later than one year
Two years
Three years
Four years
Five years
Later than five years
Total undiscounted lease payments to be received from operating leases

1.  Refer to Note 2 for the proportion of revenue earned relating to the recovery of property outgoings.

30-Jun-20  
$m
838.0
717.9
599.3
474.5
327.2
880.2
3,837.1

30-Jun-19  
$m
871.5
755.2
637.6
520.8
394.7
1,020.8
4,200.6

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5. Equity accounted investments
Equity accounted investments are predominantly investment property joint ventures with strategic partners where the property ownership 
interest is held through a jointly owned trust rather than direct ownership into the property title. The Group has contractual arrangements 
that establish joint control over the economic activities of these trusts, based on standard market terms. These are accounted for in the 
Group’s financial statements using the equity method.

The assets of investment property joint ventures substantially consist of investment properties held at fair value. As such the value of equity 
accounted investments recognised by the Group is subject to the same significant estimation and valuation uncertainties as discussed 
in Note 4(c).

(a) Summary of equity accounted investments

Chatswood Chase Sydney (Joint Venture)1
Victoria Gardens Retail Trust (Joint Venture)
Vicinity Asset Operations Pty Ltd (Associate)
Closing balance

Ownership

Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
%
51.0
50.0
40.0

30-Jun-19  
%
51.0
50.0
40.0

30-Jun-20  
$m
454.5
72.5
0.6
527.6

30-Jun-19  
$m
579.5
89.2
1.4
670.1

1.  Investment in joint venture held through CC Commercial Trust. The Group and its joint venture partner each have equal voting rights over the relevant activities 

of the joint venture.

(b) Movements for the year

Opening balance
Additional investments made during the year
Share of net (loss)/profit of equity accounted investments
Distributions of net income declared by equity accounted investments
Closing balance

30-Jun-20  
$m
670.1
3.1
(124.1)
(21.5)
527.6

30-Jun-19  
$m
681.1
1.6
19.0
(31.6)
670.1

(c) Summarised financial information of joint ventures
Chatswood Chase Sydney 
Summarised financial information represents 51% of the underlying financial statement information of the Chatswood Chase Sydney 
joint venture.

Investment properties (non-current)
Other net working capital
Net assets
Total income
Aggregate net (loss)/profit after income tax

30-Jun-20  
$m
478.0
(23.5)
454.5
25.1
(111.4)

30-Jun-19  
$m
591.5
(12.0)
579.5
31.9
10.7

100

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Victoria Gardens Retail Trust
Summarised financial information represents 50% of the underlying financial statement information of the Victoria Gardens Retail Trust 
joint venture.

Investment properties (non-current)
Interest bearing liabilities (non-current)
Other net working capital
Net assets
Total income
Aggregate net (loss)/profit after income tax 
Interest expense

30-Jun-20  
$m
147.7
(67.3)
(7.9)
72.5
9.9
(13.3)
(2.2)

30-Jun-19  
$m
142.9
(46.7)
(7.0)
89.2
11.2
6.9
(1.9)

(d) Related party transactions with equity accounted investments during the year
Chatswood Chase Sydney (joint venture, 51% ownership interest)
Asset management fees earned by the Group for management services provided to Chatswood Chase Sydney totalled $9,614,251 
(30 June 2019: $6,264,044). At 30 June 2020, no amounts remain payable to the Group (30 June 2019: $nil). Distribution income 
from the Group’s investment in Chatswood Chase Sydney was $16,770,706 (30 June 2019: $24,002,946) with $25,105,057 remaining 
receivable at 30 June 2020 (30 June 2019: $11,808,356).

Victoria Gardens Retail Trust (joint venture, 50% ownership interest)
Asset management fees earned by the Group for management services provided to Victoria Gardens Retail Trust totalled $2,296,524 
(30 June 2019: $143,975). At 30 June 2020, no amounts remain payable to the Group (30 June 2019: $nil). Distribution income from 
the Group’s investment in Victoria Gardens Retail Trust was $3,352,367 (30 June 2019: $5,317,152) with $7,664,772 remaining 
receivable at 30 June 2020 (30 June 2019: $7,762,405).

Vicinity Asset Operations Pty Ltd (VAO) (associate, 40% ownership interest)
Rent and outgoings earned from VAO as a tenant of the Group’s centres was $5,589,145 (30 June 2019: $7,460,645). Dividends paid 
to the Group were $1,387,856 (30 June 2019: $2,278,296). The Group has receivables from VAO of $2,095,506 at 30 June 2020 
(30 June 2019: $2,619,121).

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6. Earnings per security
The basic and diluted earnings per security for the Group are calculated below in accordance with the requirements of AASB 133 Earnings 
per Share. 

Basic earnings per security is determined by dividing the net profit or loss after income tax by the weighted average number of securities 
outstanding during the year. 

Diluted earnings per security adjusts the weighted average number of securities for the weighted average number of performance rights 
on issue. 

Basic and diluted earnings per security are as follows:

For the 12 months to:
Earnings per security attributable to securityholders of the Group:
Basic earnings per security (cents)
Diluted earnings per security (cents)

Earnings per security attributable to securityholders of the Parent:
Basic earnings per security (cents)
Diluted earnings per security (cents)

30-Jun-20

30-Jun-19

(47.30)
(47.30)1

0.78
0.78

9.04
9.02

0.50
0.50

1.  Calculated using the weighted average number of securities used as the denominator in calculating basic earnings per security as the Group made a loss for the year 

ended 30 June 2020.

The following net (loss)/profit after income tax amounts are used as the numerator in calculating earnings per stapled security:

For the 12 months to:
Earnings used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per security of the Group
Earnings used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per security of the Parent

30-Jun-20  
$m
(1,801.0)
29.7

30-Jun-19  
$m
346.1
19.2

The following weighted average number of securities are used in the denominator in calculating earnings per security for the Parent and 
the Group:

For the 12 months to:
Weighted average number of securities used as the denominator in calculating basic earnings per security
Adjustment for potential dilution from performance rights on issue
Weighted average number of securities and potential securities used as the denominator in calculating 
diluted earnings per security

30-Jun-20  
Number (m)
3,807.8
7.2

30-Jun-19  
Number (m)
3,829.5
7.7

3,815.0

3,837.2

102

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Capital structure and financial risk management

7. Interest bearing liabilities and derivatives
Interest bearing liabilities are initially recognised at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred and subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Foreign currency denominated notes are translated to AUD at the applicable 
exchange rate at year end with the gain or loss attributable to exchange rate movements recognised in profit or loss in the Statement 
of Comprehensive Income. 

During the year, the following financing activities have occurred:

• €500.0 million (equivalent to approximately AUD $812.0 million) 10-year fixed rate bonds were settled on 7 November 2019 under 

the European Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme. The proceeds of this issue were used to repay existing bank debt;

• $400.0 million of AUD Medium Term Notes (AMTN) matured in December 2019;

• maturities for a number of bank debt facilities totalling $2.4 billion were extended by one to two years, $315.0 million of new bank 

facilities were executed while $925.0 million of bank facilities were cancelled; and 

• net repayments of $512.6 million were made throughout the year with the proceeds from the $1.2 billion Placement (refer Note 8(e)) 
and net asset divestments being offset by capital expenditure, the on-market securities buy-back, settlement of derivative financial 
liabilities and distributions paid.

(a) Summary of facilities
The following table outlines the Group’s interest bearing liabilities at balance date:

Current liabilities 
Secured
AUD Medium Term Notes (AMTNs)1
Unsecured
AMTNs
Deferred debt costs2
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Secured
AMTNs1
Unsecured
Bank debt
AMTNs3
GBP European Medium Term Notes (GBMTNs)
HKD European Medium Term Notes (HKMTNs)
US Private Placement notes (USPPs)
EUR European Medium Term Notes (EUMTNs)
Deferred debt costs2
Total non-current liabilities
Total interest bearing liabilities

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

151.9

151.8

–
(0.1)
151.8

250.0
(0.3)
401.5

–

153.6

498.0
856.8
625.6
119.6
885.2
809.5
(16.7)
3,778.0
3,929.8

1,418.5
856.1
629.2
116.7
873.5
–
(13.0)
4,034.6
4,436.1

1.  Secured by a first charge over certain of the Group’s investment properties with a carrying value of $3,148.2 million (30 June 2019: $3,639.4 million).
2.  Deferred debt costs comprise the unamortised value of borrowing costs paid on establishment or refinance of debt facilities. These costs are deferred on the Balance 

Sheet and amortised to borrowing costs in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

3.  Non-current unsecured AMTNs include AUD $60.0 million issued under the Group’s EMTN programme.

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7. Interest bearing liabilities and derivatives continued

(b) Facility maturity and availability
The charts below outline the maturity of the Group’s total available facilities at 30 June 2020 by type and the bank to capital markets 
debt ratio. Of the $5,836.0 million total available facilities (30 June 2019: $6,033.6 million), $1,977.0 million remains undrawn at 30 
June 2020 (30 June 2019: $1,666.5 million).

Available facilities expiry profile ($m)1

1,500

1,250

1,000

750

500

250

0

200.0

1,045.0

40.0

582.0

150.0

218.0

230.0

FY21

FY22

FY23

FY24

400.0

58.9

350.0

50.0
FY25

Bank to capital market debt 
ratio ($m, %)

812.3

58%
$3,361.0

42%
$2,475.0

200.0

108.1
83.8

283.7

655.2

60.0

309.0

FY26

FY27

FY28

Beyond

Bank debt
facility limit

Capital market
debt outstanding

Bank debt
drawn

Bank debt
undrawn

USPP

AMTN

GBMTN

HKMTN

EUMTN

1.  The carrying amount of the USPPs, GBMTNs, HKMTNs, EUMTNs and AMTNs in the Balance Sheet is net of adjustments for fair value items and foreign exchange 
translation of $87.6 million (30 June 2019: $82.3 million). These adjustments are excluded from the calculation of total facilities available and amounts drawn 
as shown in the charts. Additionally, deferred debt costs of $16.8 million (30 June 2019: $13.3 million) are not reflected in the amount drawn. 

(c) Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs incurred in connection with borrowing funds (such as establishment fees, legal and 
other fees). Borrowing costs are expensed to the Statement of Comprehensive Income using the effective interest rate method, except for 
borrowing costs incurred for the development of investment properties which are capitalised to the cost of the investment property during 
the period of development.

For the 12 months to:
Interest and other costs on interest bearing liabilities and derivatives
Amortisation of deferred debt costs
Amortisation of face value discounts
Amortisation of fair value adjustments relating to discontinuation of hedge accounting
Amortisation of AMTN, GBMTN and EUMTN fair value adjustment
Interest charge on lease liabilities
Capitalised borrowing costs
Total borrowing costs

30-Jun-20  
$m
170.3
6.5
1.7
(1.3)
(3.7)
20.6
(3.9)
190.2

30-Jun-19  
$m
195.2
3.9
1.1
(2.2)
(5.0)
3.1
(7.9)
188.2

(d) Defaults and covenants
At 30 June 2020, the Group had no defaults on debt obligations or breaches of lending covenants (30 June 2019: nil).

(e) Derivatives
As detailed further in Note 8, derivative instruments are held to hedge against the interest rate risk and foreign currency risk of the Group’s 
borrowings. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each reporting period. The fair 
value of these derivatives is estimated using valuation techniques, including referencing to the current fair value of other instruments that 
are substantially the same or calculation of discounted cash flows. These valuation techniques use observable Level 2 inputs, mainly interest 
rates and interest rate curves as well as foreign currency rates and foreign currency curves. 

104

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
In respect of derivative financial instruments within the Statement of Comprehensive Income:

• movements in fair value are recognised within net mark-to-market movement on derivatives; and

• the net interest received or paid is included within borrowing costs.

The carrying amount and notional principal amounts of these instruments are shown in the table below: 

Interest rate swaps (pay floating/receive fixed)
Total current assets

Cross currency swaps (pay AUD floating receive USD fixed)
Cross currency swaps (pay AUD floating receive GBP fixed)
Cross currency swaps (pay AUD floating receive HKD fixed)
Cross currency swaps (pay AUD floating receive EUR fixed)
Interest rate swaps (pay floating/receive fixed)
Total non-current assets

Interest rate swaps (pay fixed/receive floating)
Total current liabilities

Cross currency swaps (pay AUD floating receive GBP fixed)
Interest rate swaps (pay fixed/receive floating)
Total non-current liabilities

Carrying amount

30-Jun-20  
$m
–
–

30-Jun-19  
$m
4.7
4.7

Notional  
principal value (AUD $)
30-Jun-20  
$m
–
n/a

30-Jun-19  
$m
400.0
n/a

206.4
3.1
27.6
25.9
5.7
268.7

–
–

–
(252.2)
(252.2)

116.6
–
16.4
–
5.6
138.6

(5.6)
(5.6)

(16.4)
(207.2)
(223.6)

660.3
655.2
108.2
812.3
100.0
n/a

–
n/a

–
2,525.0
n/a

660.3
–
108.2
–
100.0
n/a

550.0
n/a

655.2
2,525.0
n/a

Total net carrying amount of derivative financial instruments1

16.5

(85.9)

n/a

n/a

1.  The movement in the net carrying amount of derivative financial instruments of $102.4 million was due to mark-to-market fair value adjustments of $59.8 million 

and the cash settlement of interest rate swap derivative financial liabilities of $42.6 million in April 2020.

(f) Changes in interest bearing liabilities arising from financing activities 
The table below details changes in the Group’s interest bearing liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and  
non-cash changes.

Opening balance
Net cash (repayments)/drawdowns of borrowings
Foreign exchange rate adjustments recognised in profit and loss
Payment of deferred debt costs
Amortisation of face value discount
Amortisation of deferred debt costs
Maturity of cross currency swap
Fair value movements, non-cash
Closing balance

30-Jun-20  
$m
4,436.1
(512.6)
13.1
(10.0)
1.7
6.5
–
(5.0)
3,929.8

30-Jun-19  
$m
4,437.6
(48.6)
57.9
(4.4)
1.1
3.9
(4.2)
(7.2)
4,436.1

(g) Fair value of interest bearing liabilities
As at 30 June 2020, the Group’s interest bearing liabilities had a fair value of $3,993.1 million (30 June 2019: $4,565.1 million). 

The carrying amount of these interest bearing liabilities was $3,929.8 million (30 June 2019: $4,436.1 million). The difference between 
the carrying amount and the fair value of interest bearing liabilities is due to:

• deferred debt costs included in the carrying value which are not included in the fair value; and 

• movements in market discount rates on fixed rate interest bearing liabilities since initial recognition. As fair value is calculated by discounting 
the contractual cash flows using prevailing market discount rates (with similar terms, maturity and credit quality) any movements in these 
discount rates since initial recognition will give rise to differences between fair value and the carrying value (which is at amortised cost).

Had the fixed rate interest bearing liabilities been recognised at fair value, these would have been classified as Level 2 under the fair value 
hierarchy as the market discount rates used are indirectly observable. 

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8. Capital and financial risk management 
In the course of its operations the Group is exposed to certain financial risks that could affect the Group’s financial position and 
performance. This note explains the sources of the risks below, how they are managed by the Group and exposure at reporting date:

• Interest rate risk, Note 8(a);

• Foreign exchange risk, Note 8(b);

• Liquidity risk, Note 8(c); and

• Credit risk, Note 8(d).

Information about the Group’s objectives for managing capital is contained in Note 8(e).

Risk management approach
The Group’s treasury team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Group’s capital requirements and the financial risks identified 
above. These activities are overseen by the internal management Capital Management Committee (CMC), operating under the CMC Charter 
and the treasury policy. This policy is endorsed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The overall objectives 
of the CMC are to:

• ensure that the Group has funds available to meet all financial obligations, working capital and committed capital expenditure requirements;

• monitor and ensure compliance with all relevant financial covenants under the Group’s debt facilities;

• reduce the impact of adverse interest rate or foreign exchange movements on the Group using approved financial risk 

management instruments; 

• diversify banking counterparties to mitigate counterparty credit risk; and

• ensure the Group treasury team operates in an appropriate control environment, with effective systems and procedures.

(a)  Interest rate risk
Nature and sources of risk
Interest rate risk represents the potential for changes in market interest rates to impact the total interest expense on floating rate borrowings 
(cash flow interest rate risk) or the fair value of derivatives (fair value interest rate risk) held by the Group.

Risk management
Interest rate swaps are used to manage cash flow interest rate risk by targeting a hedge ratio1 on the Group’s interest bearing liabilities. 
Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Group agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, amounts based on the difference between 
fixed interest rates and the floating market interest rate calculated by reference to an agreed notional principal amount. None of these 
derivatives are currently in designated hedge relationships. They are also not permitted to be entered into for speculative purposes and 
therefore the Group is not significantly exposed to fair value interest rate risk.

Exposure
As at the balance date, the Group had the following exposure to cash flow interest rate risk:

Total interest bearing liabilities (Note 7(a))
Reconciliation to drawn debt
Deferred debt costs
Fair value and foreign exchange adjustments to GBMTNs 
Fair value and foreign exchange adjustments to USPPs
Fair value adjustments to AMTNs
Foreign exchange adjustments to HKMTNs
Fair value and foreign exchange adjustments to EUMTNs
Total drawn debt
Less: Cash on term deposit2
Less: Fixed rate borrowings
Variable rate borrowings exposed to cash flow interest rate risk 
Less: Notional principal of outstanding interest rate swap contracts
Net variable rate borrowings exposed to cash flow interest rate risk
Hedge ratio1

30-Jun-20  
$m
3,929.8

30-Jun-19  
$m
4,436.1

16.8
29.6
(109.9)
1.3
(11.4)
2.8
3,859.0
(150.0)
(890.0)
2,819.0
(2,425.0)
394.0
89.4%

13.3
26.0
(98.3)
(1.5)
(8.5)
–
4,367.1
–
(1,290.0)
3,077.1
(2,575.0)
502.1
88.5%

1.  Calculated as total drawn debt less cash on term deposit less net variable rate borrowings exposed to cash flow interest rate risk divided by total drawn debt less 

cash on term deposit.

2.  Term deposit matured in July 2020.

106

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Sensitivity
A shift in the floating interest rate of +/- 25 bps, assuming the net exposure to cash flow interest rate risk as at 30 June 2020 remains 
unchanged for the next 12 months, would impact the Group’s cash interest cost for the next 12 months by $1.0 million (30 June 2019 
+/-25 bps: $1.2 million).

A shift in the forward interest rate curve of +/ 25 bps, assuming the net exposure to fair value interest rate risk as at 30 June 2020 
remains unchanged for the next 12 months, would impact net profit and equity for the next 12 months by $10.9 million (30 June 2019 
+/-25 bps: $7.8 million).

This sensitivity analysis should not be considered a projection. 

(b)  Foreign exchange rate risk
Nature and sources of risk
Foreign exchange risk represents the potential for changes in market foreign exchange rates to impact the cash flows arising from the 
Group’s foreign denominated interest bearing liabilities (cash flow foreign exchange rate risk) or the fair value of derivatives and interest 
bearing liabilities (fair value foreign exchange rate risk) held by the Group.

Risk management
Cash flow foreign exchange rate risk is managed through the use of cross currency swaps, which swap the foreign currency interest 
payments on foreign denominated interest bearing liabilities into Australian dollars and fix the exchange rate for the conversion of the 
principal repayment. None of these derivatives are currently in designated hedge relationships. They are also not permitted to be entered 
into for speculative purposes and therefore the Group is not significantly exposed to fair value foreign exchange risk.

Exposure
As at the balance date, the Group had entered into cross currency swaps with terms offsetting those of all foreign denominated interest 
bearing liabilities and therefore had no net exposure to cash flow foreign exchange rate risk (30 June 2019: nil net exposure). The table 
below summarises the foreign denominated interest bearing liabilities held by the Group. Details of cross currency swaps held are shown 
in Note 7(e).

Foreign denominated interest bearing liabilities
GBMTNs
HKMTNs
USPPs
EUMTNs

Foreign  
currency
GBP £
HKD $
USD $
EUR €

30-Jun-20  
m
350.0
640.0
523.0
500.0

30-Jun-19  
m
350.0
640.0
523.0
–

Sensitivity
A shift in the forward GBP, HKD, EUR and USD exchange rate curves of +/ 5.0 cents, assuming the net exposure to fair value foreign 
exchange rate risk as at 30 June 2020 remains unchanged for the next 12 months, would impact net profit and equity for the next 
12 months by $36.5 million (30 June 2019 +/- 5.0 cents: $8.7 million).

This sensitivity analysis should not be considered a projection. 

(c) Liquidity risk
Nature and sources of risk
Liquidity risk represents the risk that the Group will be unable to meet financial obligations as they fall due.

Risk management
To manage this risk, sufficient capacity under the Group’s financing facilities is maintained to meet the funding needs identified in the Group’s 
latest forecasts. This is achieved through obtaining and maintaining funding from a range of sources (e.g. banks and Australian and foreign 
debt capital markets), maintaining sufficient undrawn debt capacity and cash balances, and managing the amount of borrowings that mature, 
or facilities that expire, in any one year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the Group’s cash flows and increased uncertainty within the Group’s forecasting process 
upon which future liquidity requirements are assessed. As a result of these impacts, the Group undertook a number of initiatives to provide 
additional capital and liquidity. These are discussed in Note 8(e).

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8. Capital and financial risk management continued

(c) Liquidity risk continued
Exposure
The contractual maturity of cash on term deposit, interest bearing liabilities and the interest payment profile on interest bearing liabilities 
and derivatives are shown below. Estimated interest and principal payments are calculated based on the forward interest and foreign 
exchange rates prevailing at year end and are undiscounted. Timing of payments is based on current contractual obligations. Refer to  
Note 11 for details on trade payables that are not included in the table below. 

30-Jun-20
Bank debt
AMTNs
GBMTNs
HKMTNs
USPPs
EUMTNs
Cash and interest on term deposit (inflows)
Estimated interest payments and line fees on borrowings
Estimated net interest rate swap cash outflow
Estimated gross cross currency swap cash outflows
Estimated gross cross currency swap cash (inflows)
Total contractual outflows

30-Jun-19
Bank debt
AMTNs
GBMTNs
HKMTNs
USPPs
Estimated interest payments and line fees on borrowings
Estimated net interest rate swap cash outflow
Estimated gross cross currency swap cash outflows
Estimated gross cross currency swap cash (inflows)
Total contractual outflows

Less than  
1 year  
$m
–
150.0
–
–
–
–
(150.3)
120.6
33.3
46.8
(64.1)
136.3

Less than  
1 year  
$m
–
400.0
–
–
–
144.2
43.4
46.8
(54.2)
580.2

1 to  
3 years  
$m
218.0
–
–
–
–
40.0
–
224.8
114.4
98.6
(128.8)
567.0

1 to  
3 years  
$m
1,063.0
150.0
–
–
–
215.4
88.7
88.2
(108.1)
1,497.2

Greater than 
3 years  
$m
280.0
860.0
647.0
945.2
122.2
858.2
–
378.1
105.6
2,523.8
(2,778.1)
3,942.0

Greater than 
3 years  
$m
355.5
860.0
659.2
118.1
847.7
397.1
80.9
1,660.7
(1,767.4)
3,211.8

Total  
$m
498.0
1,010.0
647.0
945.2
122.2
898.2
(150.3)
723.5
253.3
2,669.2
(2,971.0)
4,645.3

Total  
$m
1,418.5
1,410.0
659.2
118.1
847.7
756.7
213.0
1,795.7
(1,929.7)
5,289.2

(d) Credit risk
Nature and sources of risk
Credit risk is the risk that a tenant or counterparty to a financial asset held by the Group fails to meet their financial obligations. The Group’s 
financial assets that are subject to credit risk are bank deposits, tenant receivables and derivative financial assets.

Risk management
To mitigate credit risk in relation to derivative counterparties and bank deposits the Group has policies to limit exposure to any one financial 
institution and only deal with those parties that have high-quality credit. To mitigate tenant credit risk, an assessment is performed taking 
into consideration the financial background of the tenant and the amount of any security or guarantee provided as collateral under the lease. 
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased credit risk on tenant receivables as many of the Group’s tenants have been unable to trade, have 
chosen not to trade, or have had their trade significantly impacted. Note 10 further discusses the assessment of credit risk on receivables 
at 30 June 2020. 

Exposure
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the balance date is the carrying amount of the Group’s financial assets which are recognised within 
the Balance Sheet net of any provision for losses. 

108

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020(e) Capital management
Approach and response to COVID-19
The Group seeks to maintain a strong and conservative capital structure with appropriate liquidity, low gearing and a diversified debt profile 
(by source and tenor). The Group has long-term credit ratings of ‘A2/negative’ from Moody’s Investors Service and ‘A/stable’ from Standard 
& Poor’s. 

In response to the uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and to assist with maintaining a strong and conservative capital 
structure, the Group undertook a number of capital and liquidity management activities during the six-month period ended 30 June 2020. 
These included:

• entering into agreements for net new or extended bank facilities of $450.0 million;

• completing a $1.2 billion fully underwritten security placement (Placement). The Placement was successfully completed on 2 June 2020 

and the 810.8 million new securities issued under the Placement commenced trading alongside existing securities on 5 June 2020. 
The proceeds of the Placement were used to repay outstanding debt facilities;

• launching a Security Purchase Plan (SPP), which provided retail securityholders the opportunity to acquire up to $30,000 in new securities. 

The SPP offer closed on 6 July 2020 with $32.6 million of subscriptions. Accordingly, 22.6 million securities were subsequently allocated 
and commenced trading alongside existing securities on 14 July 2020;

• determining that no distribution would be paid for the second half of the financial year;

• finalising the on-market securities buy-back program; and

• as detailed in Note 1(a), undertaking a range of operational and capital cost saving initiatives.

As at 30 June 2020, the Group had $227.4 million of cash on hand and $1,977.0 million of available undrawn facilities, with $150.0 million 
of debt maturities in the 2021 financial year and no maturities in the 2022 financial year.

Key capital metrics
Key metrics monitored are gearing ratio and interest cover ratio. These metrics are shown below:

Gearing ratio
The gearing ratio is calculated in the table below as:

• drawn debt, net of cash; divided by

• total tangible assets excluding cash, right of use assets, net investments in lease, investment property leaseholds and derivative 

financial assets.

Total drawn debt (Note 8(a))
Drawn debt net of cash
Total tangible assets excluding cash, right of use assets, net investments in lease, investment property 
leaseholds and derivative financial assets
Gearing ratio (target range of 25.0% to 35.0%)

30-Jun-20  
$m
3,859.0
3,631.6

30-Jun-19  
$m
4,367.1
4,332.2

14,266.7
25.5%

16,001.0
27.1%

Interest cover ratio
The interest cover ratio (ICR) is calculated in accordance with the definitions within the Group’s bank debt facility agreements as follows:

• EBITDA, which generally means the Group’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation, fair value adjustments and other items; 

divided by

• total interest expense.

At 30 June 2020, the interest cover ratio was 3.9 times (30 June 2019: 4.4 times).

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9. Contributed equity 
An ordinary stapled security comprises one share in the Company and one unit in the Trust. Ordinary stapled securities entitle the holder 
to participate in distributions and the proceeds on winding up of the Group (if enacted) in proportion to the number of securities held. 
Ordinary stapled securities are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new stapled securities are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. 
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new stapled securities for the acquisition of a business are not included in the cost 
of the acquisition as part of the purchase consideration.

The number of ordinary securities of the Group is shown in the table below. All ordinary securities are fully paid. During the year movements 
in securities comprised:

• A reduction of 53.0 million securities purchased as part of the on-market securities buy-back program. These were purchased for a total 
of $116.0 million representing an average price of $2.19 per security. The on-market securities buy-back program is now completed.

• 810.8 million new securities issued under the $1.2 billion Placement (refer to Note 8(e) for further details on the Placement).

Total stapled securities on issue at the beginning of the year
Staple securities issued (net of equity raising costs)
On-market security buy-back
Total stapled securities on issue at the end of the year

30-Jun-20 
Number (m)
3,771.8
810.8
(53.0)
4,529.6

30-Jun-19  
Number (m)
3,871.6
–
(99.8)
3,771.8

30-Jun-20  
$m
8,006.9
1,179.0
(116.0)
9,069.9

30-Jun-19  
$m
8,262.4
–
(255.5)
8,006.9

110

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Working capital

10. Trade receivables and other assets

(a) Summary
Trade receivables largely comprise amounts due from tenants of the Group’s investment properties under lease agreements and amounts 
receivable from strategic partners under property management agreements. Trade receivables are initially recognised at the transaction 
price or fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less an allowance for expected 
credit losses. At 30 June 2020, the carrying value of trade receivables and other financial assets approximated their fair value.

Trade debtors
Accrued income
Receivables from strategic partnerships
Less: allowance for expected credit losses
Total trade receivables1

Distributions receivable from joint ventures and associates
Prepayments
Land tax levies 
Tenant security deposits held
Other
Total other assets
Total trade receivables and other assets

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

200.3
13.9 
5.0 
(169.6)
49.6 

32.7
14.7
19.7
0.6
16.2
83.9
133.5

18.2
18.0
5.3
(7.3)
34.2

19.5
16.0
14.2
0.6
16.6
66.9
101.1

1.  Includes receivables relating to lease rental income, property outgoings recovery revenue and other property related revenue. Refer to Note 2 for an analysis of the 

Group’s revenue and income by type.

Management of tenant credit risk
Prior to entering into lease contracts with tenants, the Group considers the financial background of the tenant and the amount of any 
proposed security or guarantee provided as collateral under the lease. On an ongoing basis, trade receivable balances from tenants are 
monitored with the Group considering receivables that have not been paid for 30 days after the invoice date as past due. The Group 
does not hold any collateral in relation to trade or other receivables, other than security deposits or bank guarantees as is usual in leasing 
agreements. The maximum exposure to receivables credit risk at the balance date is the carrying amount of each class of receivables 
outlined above. Individual debts are considered to be in default when contractual payments have not been made and written off when 
management decides to no longer pursue the amount.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has unfavourably impacted consumer spending, shopping habits and physical retail sales of the Group’s tenants. 
This has been in large part driven by a decline in consumer confidence, due to the uncertain economic and health impacts of the pandemic, 
and preventative measures implemented by State and Federal Governments, such as ‘stay at home orders’, mandatory store closures and 
social distancing and travel restrictions. These factors have meant that at 30 June 2020, many tenants have not paid amounts due under 
lease contracts to the Group. This has contributed to a significant increase in trade receivables as compared to previous periods.

Additionally, the Federal Government has introduced the SME Code, which contains principles for landlords and certain SME tenants affected 
by COVID-19 to negotiate rental waivers and deferrals. Application of the SME Code considers whether an eligible tenant has suffered 
financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including their inability to generate sufficient revenue as a direct result of the COVID-19 
pandemic that causes the tenant to be unable to meet their financial and/or contractual commitments. Accordingly, the Group is in the 
process of negotiating rental assistance and/or changes to lease terms with a significant number of SME and affected non-SME tenants 
across the portfolio. The Group expects that these negotiations will result in a proportion of trade receivables recognised at 30 June 2020 
being waived, although final outcomes are uncertain.

The rapidly changing and uncertain trading and economic environment and the uncertain outcome of rental assistance negotiations with 
tenants have all contributed to significant estimation uncertainty in determining the allowance for expected credit losses at 30 June 2020. 

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10. Trade receivables and other assets continued

(b) Allowance for expected credit losses
The allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) represents the difference between cash flows contractually receivable by the Group and 
the cash flows the Group expects to receive. For trade receivables, contract assets and lease receivables, the Group applies the simplified 
approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based 
on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date.

Approach
In response to the impacts that COVID-19 has had on the Group’s tenants, retail trade and the economic environment (as outlined in 
Note 10(a)), the Group adjusted its approach to determining ECLs on trade receivables at 30 June 2020. The provision matrix applied 
by the Group in prior periods was primarily based on historical observed loss rates at an individual investment property level, which were 
applied based on the age of a debt. This approach was adjusted as follows:

Debtor ageing
Trade receivables were not solely segregated based on ageing. While a significant quantum of trade receivables relating to outstanding 
rentals were greater than 30 days past due (based on the date of the invoice), the Group assessed that determining an allowance for ECLs 
on total debt for each tenant or tenant retail category (examples of retail categories include footwear, supermarkets, apparel, luxury and 
homewares), based on the inputs, estimates and assumptions outlined below, allowed for a better reflection of the credit risk at 30 June 2020.

Inputs, estimates and assumptions
The inputs and information considered, and estimates and assumptions made, when determining the rate of ECLs applied to each tenant 
or tenant category are outlined below. These were based on reasonable, supportable and relevant information available to the Group which 
incorporated forecasts of the impacts of COVID-19 on the retail sector and the Group’s tenants:

• Estimates of the likely rental waivers arising from rental relief negotiations. This estimate was based on preliminary discussions held with 
tenants, or offers made to tenants, or where no such discussions had yet occurred, internal assumptions developed with reference to the 
observed impacts of COVID-19 on sales and foot traffic trends and the likely outcome of negotiations with similar tenants.

• Forecasts of the impact of COVID-19 on the retail sales of different retail categories over the next 12 months. This forecast was developed 
based on a combination of third party and internal data sources and incorporated assumptions on key macro-economic indicators for 
retail sales such as unemployment and economic growth rates. This information was applied to tenants’ pre-COVID sales to rent ratio 
to ascertain a forecast ratio of sales to rent and sales per square metre compared to market benchmarks. The ratios of sales to rent 
and sales per square metre are considered a key indicator of a tenant’s ability to repay outstanding receivables. 

• Information on the financial position of the tenant, where available. Limited financial information is available about the financial position 
of many of Vicinity’s tenants as they are a diverse range of small to large business that are often privately owned and this information 
is not required to be provided under lease contracts.

• The Group’s prior dealings with tenants and observed payment issues or unfavourable trends in sales performance observed prior to the 

outbreak of COVID-19.

The probability weighted expected credit loss allowance of $169.6 million determined by this approach comprised:

• Likely waivers arising from rental relief negotiations of $100.4 million.

• Additional allowances for the difference between cash flows contractually receivable by the Group (after deducting likely waivers) and 

the cash flows the Group expects to receive of $69.2 million. On average this represented 69% of the remaining trade receivables after 
deducting likely waivers.

While the information used in development of the allowance for ECLs is considered reasonable and supportable, the calculation of these 
amounts in the current environment is subject to significant uncertainty. Factors causing this uncertainty include the unknown economic 
impacts of the pandemic, the possibility of future lockdowns or government mandated closures and the uncertain outcome of rental assistance 
negotiations with tenants. In the event that the impacts of COVID-19 are longer lasting or more severe than anticipated, this may result in 
a further increase in the allowance for ECLs or amount of debt written off in future periods.

112

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Movements in the allowance for ECLs
The movement in the allowance for ECLs in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

Opening balance at 1 July
Amounts written off
Remeasurement of allowance
Closing balance at 30 June

30-Jun-20  
$m
(7.3)
6.2
(168.5)
(169.6)

30-Jun-19  
$m
(6.7)
4.3
(4.9)
(7.3)

Sensitivities
As outlined above, a key input into the determination of the allowance for ECLs was the likely outcome of rental waivers arising from rental 
relief negotiations. The weighted average percentage estimated for rent relief across outstanding trade receivables at 30 June 2020 was 
56% of rent receivable at 30 June 2020. Changing this assumption by +/- 100bps would result in an $0.7 million increase/decrease in 
the allowance for ECLs.

11. Payables
Payables represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year and that are unpaid.  
The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition. Trade and other payables are carried at amortised cost and 
are not discounted due to their short-term nature. At 30 June 2020, the carrying value of payables approximated their fair value.

Trade payables and accrued expenses
Lease rental income and property outgoings recovery revenue received in advance1
Accrued interest expense
Accrued capital expenditure
Security deposits
Other 
Total payables

30-Jun-20  
$m
72.9
12.2
13.0
13.1
0.4
12.0
123.6

30-Jun-19  
$m
68.4
16.8
18.3
25.3
0.3
6.4
135.5

1.  Largely represents amounts received in advance relating to the following month’s lease rental income and property outgoings recovery revenue.

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12. Provisions
Provisions comprise liabilities arising from employee benefits, such as annual leave and long service leave, as well as provisions for stamp 
duty and other items for which the amount or timing of the settlement is uncertain as it is outside the control of the Group. 

Where the provisions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the 
obligation arises, the liability is discounted to present value based on management’s best estimate of the timing of settlement and the 
expenditure required to settle the liability at the reporting date. 

The discount rates used to determine the present value of employee-related provisions are determined by reference to market yields 
at the end of the reporting period attaching to high-quality corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currencies that match, as closely 
as possible, the estimated future cash outflows of the related liability.

Current
Current employee entitlements
Other current provisions
Total current provisions
Non-current
Non-current employee entitlements
Other non-current provisions
Total non-current provisions

The movements for the year in other provisions are as follows:

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

25.3
26.3
51.6

4.0
0.9
4.9

51.8
20.6
72.4

3.9
4.3
8.2

Current
Stamp duty
Land tax levies
Other
Total other current provisions
Non-current
Other
Total other non-current provisions

Arising 
during the 
year  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

Paid during 
the year  
$m

Other 
movements  
$m

30-Jun-20  
$m

6.0
14.2
0.4
20.6

4.3
4.3

–
19.7
0.2
19.9

0.8
0.8

–
(14.2)
–
(14.2)

(0.4)
(0.4)

–
–
–
–

(3.8)1
(3.8)

6.0
19.7
0.6
26.3

0.9
0.9

1.  Onerous lease provision offset against right of use assets recognised upon adoption of AASB 16 Leases. Refer to Note 22(c).

114

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Remuneration

13. Key Management Personnel 
The remuneration of the Key Management Personnel (KMP) of the Group is disclosed in the Remuneration Report. The compensation 
of KMP included in the Group’s financial statements comprises:

For the 12 months to:
Short-term employee benefits – Executive KMP
Short-term employee benefits – Non-executive KMP
Termination benefits
Share based payments
Post-employment benefits 
Other long-term employee benefits
Total remuneration of KMP of the Group

14. Employees
Employee benefits expense consists of:

For the 12 months to:
Salaries and wages
Share based payments expense
Other employee benefits expense
Total employee benefits expense

30-Jun-20  
$’000
3,006
1,681
–
275
189
40
5,191

30-Jun-19  
$’000
3,466
1,916
665
(358)
202
(44)
5,847

Note

15(a)

30-Jun-20  
$m
58.4
3.7
0.7 
62.8

30-Jun-19  
$m
87.7
2.8
5.0
95.5

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Cost-saving measures undertaken in relation to employee benefits included full or partial stand-downs of the Group’s workforce, the cancellation 
of the Short Term Incentive program and a 20% reduction in executive and Board remuneration from April through to 30 June 2020.

In addition, to 30 June 2020 the Group was eligible for gross payments of $10.8 million under the initial phase of the Federal Government 
JobKeeper wage subsidy program. This is included as a reduction to the salaries and wages number above.

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15. Share based payments
The Group remunerates eligible employees through three equity settled security based compensation plans. These plans are designed to 
align executives’ and employees’ interests with those of securityholders by incentivising participants to deliver long-term shareholder returns. 
A summary of each plan is described below:

Plan

Description

Long Term 
Incentive (LTI)

Short Term 
Incentive (STI)

Executives and senior management are granted performance rights to acquire Vicinity securities for nil consideration. 
These rights vest after completion of a four-year service period and when certain hurdle requirements, which are 
set when the rights are granted, are met. From FY20, achievement of the hurdle requirements are assessed at 
the end of the four-year service period. Prior to FY20, LTI hurdle requirements were assessed after three years 
with performance rights conditionally vesting subject to a further year of service. Hurdle requirements are set 
out in Note 15(b).

STI provides the opportunity to receive an annual, performance-based incentive payment, when a combination of 
short-term Group financial and individual performance objectives is achieved. Executives and senior management 
are then required to defer a portion of their annual STI payment into equity for a period of 12 to 24 months. 
The amounts deferred will become available to the employee at the end of the deferral period, provided they 
remain employed by the Group. The STI plan for FY20 was suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic 
as discussed in Note 1.

Employee Plan

$1,000 worth of Vicinity securities are granted annually to eligible employees for nil consideration. Securities 
granted under the plan are subject to a three-year trading restriction unless the employee ceases to be employed 
by the Group.

Further details relating to the LTI and STI plans are included in Note 15(b).

(a)  Expenses and movements relating to share based payment plans
The following expenses and movements were recognised within employee benefits expense and reserves in relation to the share based 
payment compensation plans.

For the 12 months to:
Long Term Incentive
Short Term Incentive1
Employee Plan2
Other share based payments
Total share based payments

1.  As described in Note 15(b), this amount represents the value of STI deferred into equity relating to the prior financial year.
2.  A total of 398,184 securities were granted under the Employee Plan during the year (30 June 2019: 392,411).

The movement in the number of LTI performance rights during the year was as follows:

Opening balance at the beginning of the year
Granted
Forfeited and lapsed
Vested1
Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year
Weighted average remaining contractual life 

30-Jun-20  
$m
0.5
2.1
1.0
0.1
3.7

30-Jun-19  
$m
(0.7)
2.4
1.0
0.1
2.8

30-Jun-20  
Number
7,793,688
3,496,129
(2,096,069)
(1,023,948)
8,169,800

30-Jun-19  
Number
8,137,548
3,307,020
(2,538,012)
(1,112,868)
7,793,688

nil
2.13

nil
2.08 years

1.  The LTI performance rights vested during the year relate to the FY17 LTI Plan. The performance period for the FY18 LTI Plan ended on 30 June 2020. Performance 

hurdles were subsequently tested in July 2020 with no performance rights conditionally vesting and 2,314,791 lapsing. 

116

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020(b)  Plan details
Long Term Incentive Plan conditions
Features of the LTI performance rights on issue during the financial year are:

Grant years

FY20, FY19, FY18 and FY17

Performance period

FY17, FY18 and FY19: Three years commencing 1 July of the grant year. 
FY20: Four years commencing 1 July of the grant year.

Service period

Four years

Performance  
hurdles1

50% relative total securityholder return (TSR) 
Relative TSR combines the security price movement and distributions (which are assumed to be reinvested) 
to show the total return to securityholders, relative to that of other companies in the TSR comparator group. 

50% total return (TR)
TR is calculated in each year of the performance period as: Change in Vicinity’s net tangible assets (NTA) value 
during the year plus total distributions made divided by the NTA value at the beginning of the year. The annual 
TR result for each year during the performance period is then used to calculate the compound annual TR for 
the performance period2.

TSR comparator  
group

S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index excluding Westfield Corporation and Unibail Rodamco Westfield3.

1.  For the purposes of LTI plan assessment, each performance hurdle operates independently of the other.
2.  To ensure that the TR performance rights vesting reflects the value created from the efficient management of the Group’s assets and there is no undue advantage, 
penalty or disincentive for undertaking certain activities TR outcomes may be adjusted. Both upwards and downwards adjustments can be made, with reference to 
principles agreed by the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee.

3.  Westfield Corporation (ASX:WDC) merged with Unibail Rodamco to form Unibail Rodamco Westfield (URW) in May 2018. WDC was de-listed from the ASX and a 

CHESS depository interest for URW (ASX:URW) was listed on the ASX. The TSR comparator group excludes WDC and URW.

Long Term Incentive Plan – performance rights valuation
The fair value of performance rights granted under the LTI is estimated at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo Simulation Model taking 
into account the terms and conditions upon which the performance rights were granted. For grants with non-market vesting conditions (TR), 
the grant date fair value is expensed over the vesting period and adjusted to reflect the actual number of rights for which the related 
service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be met. The grant date fair value of awards with market performance conditions 
(TSR) reflects the probability of these conditions being met and hence the expense recognised over the vesting period is only adjusted for 
changes in expectations as to whether service criteria will be met.

A number of assumptions were used in valuing the performance rights at the grant date as shown in the table below:

Assumption
Distribution yield 

Basis
Expected annual distribution rate over the next four years.

FY20 Plan
5.9%

FY19 Plan
5.9%

Risk-free interest rate 

Four-year government bond yields as at grant date.

Volatility correlation between Vicinity 
and other comparator companies

Analysis of historical total security return volatility (i.e. standard 
deviation) and the implied volatilities of exchange traded options.

Volatility of Vicinity securities 

As above.

TSR of Vicinity securities

Performance between the start date of the testing period 
and the valuation date.

Holding lock adjustment 

Adjustment for 12-month holding lock period.

Security price at measurement date 
Fair value per right – TR
Fair value per right – TSR

Closing Vicinity securities price at grant date.

0.7%

60.0%

14.0%

4.5%

n/a

$2.62
$2.08
$0.81

2.0%

60.0%

16.0%

4.4%

7.5%

$2.71
$2.16
$1.06

Short Term Incentive Plan
The number of securities granted and deferred under the STI Plan during the year ended 30 June 2020 relating to incentive payments earned 
in the year ended 30 June 2019 was 802,204 (30 June 2019 relating to the year ended 30 June 2018: 877,643). The fair value of these 
securities was $2.58 per security (30 June 2019: $2.72) being the volume weighted average security price of VCX in the 10 trading days 
prior to the grant date of 22 September 2019. The STI plan for FY20 was suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as discussed 
in Note 1.

117

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16. Intangible assets

(a) Background
Intangible asset balances at 30 June 2020 relate to the value of external management contracts. 

The intangible assets were recognised upon business combinations at their fair value at both the date of Novion Property Group’s acquisition 
of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s property management business (on 24 March 2014) and the merger of Novion Property Group 
and Federation Centres (on 11 June 2015). They reflect the right to provide asset management services to strategic partners who co-own 
investment property assets with the Group and accordingly are allocated to the Strategic Partnerships cash generating unit (SP CGU), 
which is also an operating and reportable segment. As the management contracts do not have termination dates, they are considered 
to have indefinite lives and are not amortised.

Prior to 30 June 2020, the Group also recognised goodwill with a carrying value of $427.0 million relating to the abovementioned business 
combination transactions. As detailed below this amount was impaired at 30 June 2020 following an impairment test of the Property 
Investment CGU (PI CGU) to which goodwill was allocated.

A summary of intangible asset balances is shown in the table below:

Goodwill
External management contracts1
Carrying value

30-Jun-20  
$m
–
164.2
164.2

30-Jun-19  
$m
427.0
164.2
591.2

1.  During the year ended 30 June 2019 amortisation charges of $3.7 million were recognised on external management contracts with a finite life to reduce their 

carrying values to $nil. 

(b) Impairment testing 
Testing for impairment
The Group performs impairment testing for goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets at least annually, or when there are other indicators 
of impairment. The Group last performed an impairment test at 31 December 2019. At 30 June 2020, the market capitalisation of 
the Group continued to be below the value of net assets recorded on the Balance Sheet, providing an indicator of impairment. In addition, 
the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic forecasted on the retail sector, investment property portfolio and the Group’s cash flows, 
as well as the ongoing economic uncertainty were considered potential indicators of impairment. As a result of these indicators, a further 
impairment test of the PI and SP CGUs was undertaken at 30 June 2020.

Assumptions and inputs within impairment calculations
Key inputs used in determining the recoverable amount of the SP CGU and PI CGU were determined as follows:

• Relevant discount rates were calculated based on the Group’s estimated weighted average cost of capital, with reference to the Group’s 
long-term average cost of debt and estimated cost of equity which is derived with reference to external sources of information and the 
Group’s target gearing ratio.

• Terminal growth rates were estimated with reference to long-term expectations of macro-economic conditions (including consideration 

of equity analyst estimates) and the Group’s expected long-term earnings growth.

• Five-year forecast operating, capital expenditure and asset and funds management cash flows are customarily based on the values 

determined by the Group’s budgeting and planning process. Given the significant uncertainty as to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic 
over the short, medium and long term, the Group assessed the outcomes of a number of cash flow scenarios when conducting impairment 
testing at 30 June 2020. These scenarios were based on the results of the Group’s budgeting and planning process prior to the outbreak 
of COVID-19 and considered a varying degree of reduction in rental income collected over the forecast period.

The determination of the key assumptions and inputs to the impairment testing process as outlined above requires a significant level 
of estimation. As a result, the recoverable amounts of the PI and SP CGUs (as determined by the impairment testing processes outlined 
below) are subject to variability in these key assumptions or inputs. A change in one or more of the key assumptions or inputs could result 
in a change in assessed recoverable amount. 

118

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Property Investment CGU (Goodwill)
The recoverable amount of the PI CGU is determined using a fair value less costs of disposal approach. In order to determine the fair value 
of the PI CGU as a whole, an enterprise value (EV) approach is undertaken. The EV approach estimates unlevered fair value based on a 
Free Cash Flow to Firm DCF analysis. This analysis discounts operating cash flows and capital expenditure requirements. The table below 
summarises key assumptions used in the EV model.

Key assumption
Cash flows for forecast FFO and operational capital expenditure
Terminal growth rate
Pre-tax discount rate range

30-Jun-20
5 years
2.10%
7.10% – 7.60%

30-Jun-19
5 years
2.20%
6.76% – 7.26%

The impairment test determined that the carrying value of the PI CGU exceeded its recoverable amount. Accordingly, a $427.0 million 
impairment was recognised in respect of the PI CGU’s goodwill. The impairment was principally driven by the impacts of COVID-19 on the 
property portfolio and internal property management business, as well as an increase in the Group pre-tax discount rate caused by an 
increase in volatility in the Group’s share price.

After impairment of the goodwill balance within the PI CGU, the carrying value of the CGU continued to exceed the determined recoverable 
amount. In considering this difference, the Group identified that: 

• Greater than 99% of the remaining of the assets of the PI CGU are investment properties which are carried at their fair values, based on 

valuations prepared by independent valuers (refer to Note 4(c)).

• Other assets remaining within the PI CGU were carried at their recoverable amounts.

Sensitivity considerations
After the impairment of goodwill the remaining assets of the PI CGU predominantly consist of investment properties at fair value. Sensitivities 
in relation to key inputs into the valuation of investment properties are disclosed in Note 4(c).

Strategic Partnerships CGU (external management contracts)
The recoverable amount of the SP CGU is determined using a fair value less cost of disposal (fair value) approach. This is performed using 
a collective discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation of the cash flows generated from external asset and funds management contracts which 
is based on the following key assumptions:

Key assumption
Post-tax external management contract cash flows
Terminal growth rates
Post-tax discount rate range

30-Jun-20
5 years
2.10%
6.69% – 7.19%

30-Jun-19
5 years
2.20% – 2.70%
6.51% – 7.01%

The impairment test at 30 June 2020 determined that the recoverable amount of the SP CGU exceeded its carrying value and no impairment 
was required.

Sensitivity considerations
Sensitivities to the key assumptions within the external management contracts DCF were also tested and the Group has determined that 
due to the long-term nature of the asset management contracts and associated cash flows, no reasonably possible changes would give 
rise to impairment at 30 June 2020. A disposal of a significant value of directly owned or equity accounted investment property assets, 
where the Group also gives up any future management rights under existing finite life or indefinite life contracts, may lead to the full or 
partial derecognition of the intangible asset balance, as external asset management fees earned by the Group may no longer be sufficient 
to support the current carrying value of these intangible assets.

As forecast cash flows, discount rates and growth rates are unobservable inputs into the valuation process, the recoverable amounts 
determined for the PI CGU and SP CGU by the Group’s impairment testing process are considered to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. 

119

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17. Notes to the Cash Flow Statement
The reconciliation of net (loss)/profit after tax for the financial year to net cash provided by operating activities is provided below. 

For the 12 months to:
Net (loss)/profit after tax for the financial year
Exclude non-cash items and cash flows under investing and financing activities:

Amortisation of incentives and leasing costs
Straight-lining of rent adjustment
Property revaluation decrement/(increment) for directly owned properties 
Share of net loss/(profit) of equity accounted investments
Distributions of net income from equity accounted investments
Amortisation of non-cash items included in interest expense
Net foreign exchange movement on interest bearing liabilities
Net mark-to-market movement on derivatives
Stamp duty paid
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
Amortisation of right of use asset
Income tax expense
Other non-cash items
Movements in working capital:

(Decrease) in payables, provisions and other liabilities
(Increase) in receivables and other assets

Net cash inflow from operating activities

30-Jun-20  
$m
(1,801.0)

30-Jun-19  
$m
346.1

57.8
(8.8)
1,717.9
124.1
21.5
3.2
13.1
(59.8)
3.7
427.0
6.1
12.1
6.1

(16.9)
(34.1)
472.0

44.6
(15.1)
237.1
(19.0)
31.6
0.9
57.9
(15.8)
–
3.7
–
–
4.4

(10.0)
(4.3)
662.1

18. Auditor’s remuneration
During the year, the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor of the Group, EY, or its related practices. 

For the 12 months to:
Audit and review of statutory financial statements of Group and its controlled entities

30-Jun-20  
$’000
1,121

30-Jun-19  
$’000
1,169

Assurance services required by legislation to be provided by the auditor

18

18

Other assurance services and agreed-upon procedures services under other legislation 
or contractual arrangements
Property related audits1
Other assurance services and agreed-upon procedures required under contract 
Total other assurance services under other legislation or contractual arrangements

Other services
Taxation compliance services
Assurance and other services
Total other services
Total auditor’s remuneration

200
116
316

322
45
367
1,822

204
135
339

336
294
630
2,156

1.  Comprises audits of outgoing statements, promotional funds, real estate trust account audits and joint venture audits required under legislation or contract.

120

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 202019. Parent entity financial information 

(a) Summary financials
The financial information presented below represents that of the legal parent entity, and deemed parent entity of the stapled Group, 
Vicinity Limited. Vicinity Limited recognises investments in subsidiary entities at cost, less any impairment since acquisition. Other accounting 
policies applied by Vicinity Limited are consistent with those used for the preparation of the consolidated Financial Report.

Balance Sheet
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Contributed equity
Share based payment reserve
Accumulated losses
Total equity

Net profit for the financial year of Vicinity Limited as parent entity
Total comprehensive income for the financial year of Vicinity Limited

30-Jun-20  
$m

30-Jun-19  
$m

13.2
664.6
(12.8)
(469.3)
195.3

513.8
(6.6)
(311.9)
195.3

7.5
7.5

4.4
663.7
(62.0)
(540.1)
123.6

447.3
(4.3)
(319.4)
123.6

23.0
23.0

Vicinity Limited has access to the Group’s cash flow from operations and undrawn bank facilities in order to pay its current obligations 
as and when they fall due.

The parent entity has no capital expenditure commitments which have been contracted but not provided for, or contingencies as at 
reporting date. Guarantees provided to subsidiary entities are disclosed at Note 21(c) and predominantly relate to fulfilling capital 
requirements under Australian Financial Services Licences held by these subsidiaries.

(b) Stapled entity allocation of net profit
In accordance with AASB 3 Business Combinations, the Company is the parent of the Vicinity Centres stapled group for accounting purposes. 
As the Company has no legal ownership over Vicinity Centres Trust and its controlled entities, the allocation of net profit and net assets 
is shown separately for the Company and the Trust in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and Statements of Changes in Equity.

20. Related parties 

(a) Background
The deemed parent entity of the Group is Vicinity Limited, which is domiciled and incorporated in Australia. All subsidiaries and sub-trusts 
of the Group are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Vicinity Limited or sub-trusts of Vicinity Centres Trust as at 30 June 2020.

(b) Information on related party transactions and balances
Vicinity Funds RE Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, is the Responsible Entity/Trustee of the following funds (collectively known 
as the Wholesale Funds managed by the Group):

• Direct Property Investment Fund A (DPIF-A);

• Direct Property Investment Fund B (DPIF-B);

• Vicinity Enhanced Retail Fund (VERF); and

• Australian Investments Trust (AIT).

The transactions with the Wholesale Funds, on normal commercial terms, and the balances outstanding at 30 June 2020 are outlined  
in the tables below. Transactions and balances relating to equity accounted investments are disclosed in Note 5(d).

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20. Related parties continued

(b) Information on related party transactions and balances continued
Related party balances with Wholesale Funds

Wholesale Funds managed by the Group

Funds management 
fee receivable

30-Jun-20  
$’000
597

30-Jun-19  
$’000
675

Alignment fee payable
30-Jun-20  
$’000
91

30-Jun-19  
$’000
251

Outstanding related party trade receivables balances at year end are unsecured and settlement occurs in cash. The Group does not hold 
any collateral in relation to related party receivables.

Related party transactions with Wholesale Funds

For the 12 months to:
Asset and funds management fee income
Reimbursement of expenses to the property manager
Distribution income
Alignment fee expense
Rent and outgoings expenses

21. Commitments and contingencies

30-Jun-20  
$’000
4,617
1,804
40
(365)
(217)

30-Jun-19  
$’000
2,239
2,885
90
(393)
(525)

(a) Operating lease commitments
Upon adoption of AASB 16 in the current year, lessees were required to account for leases previously accounted for as operating leases 
under a single on-balance sheet model. Note 22 contains further details of the right of use assets and lease liabilities recognised upon 
transition to AASB 16. As the Group adopted AASB 16 using the modified retrospective approach, there was no restatement of operating 
lease commitments recognised at 30 June 2019.

Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than five years
Later than five years
Total operating lease commitments

(b) Capital commitments
Estimated capital expenditure contracted for at reporting date, but not provided for:

Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than five years
Total capital commitments

30-Jun-20  
$m
–
–
–
–

30-Jun-19  
$m
8.2
19.0
3.7
30.9

30-Jun-20  
$m
45.3
–
45.3

30-Jun-19  
$m
115.1
–
115.1

(c) Contingent assets and liabilities
Bank guarantees totalling $44.6 million have been arranged by the Group, primarily to guarantee obligations for two of the Group’s 
Responsible Entities to meet their financial obligations under their Australian Financial Services Licences and other capital requirements 
(30 June 2019: $47.5 million).

As at reporting date, there were no other material contingent assets or liabilities.

122

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 202022. Adoption of AASB 16 Leases
The new accounting standard AASB 16 Leases became effective for the Group on 1 July 2019. AASB 16 replaces AASB 117 Leases 
and other lease-related interpretations. AASB 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure 
of leases and requires lessees to account for all leases under a single on-balance sheet model (with limited exceptions). Lessor accounting 
under AASB 16 is substantially unchanged, other than in respect of sub leases for which lease classification is performed by reference 
to the right of use asset, rather than the underlying asset, so lessors will continue to classify leases as either operating or finance leases 
(applying similar principles as those within AASB 117). 

This note explains the impact of the adoption of AASB 16 on the Group’s financial statements upon transition and for the year ended 
30 June 2020.

(a) Transition
Transition approach
The Group adopted AASB 16 using the modified retrospective approach with no cumulative adjustment recognised in retained earnings. 
Right of use assets recognised were equal to the value of lease liabilities recognised, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued 
lease payments. Lease liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments at 1 July 2019, discounted using 
the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate. 

In applying the modified retrospective approach, the Group has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard:

• Relied on its assessment of whether leases were onerous immediately before the date of initial application as an alternative to performing 

an impairment review.

• Leases with a remaining term of 12 months or less from 1 July 2019 have been accounted for as short-term leases and not recognised  

on the Balance Sheet.

• Lease contracts for which the underlying asset is of low value have not been recognised on the Balance Sheet.

Impact of adoption
The Group has lease arrangements where it is a lessee which were required to be recognised on Balance Sheet upon adoption of AASB 16. 
These primarily related to commercial office space (including sub leases of commercial offices where the Group is the intermediate lessor), 
office equipment and shopping centre offices. There was no significant impact on the net deferred tax balances recognised as a result of 
adopting AASB 16 due to right of use assets recognised being equal to the value of lease liabilities.

Commercial offices, office equipment, sub leases and shopping centre offices (other leases)
The Group recognised right of use assets and lease liabilities for these lease arrangements which were previously classified as operating 
leases. In respect of commercial office leases:

• The Group also has certain sub lease arrangements in place. For these leases, lease classification was reassessed by reference to the 

right of use asset arising from the head lease. Where the sub leases met the definition of a finance lease under AASB 16, the Group 
derecognised the right of use asset for the head lease and recognised a net investment in the lease based on the present value of lease 
payments receivable by the Group. The Group also recognised lease liabilities at the head lease level. 

• The Group applied the practical expedient to offset onerous contract provisions previously recognised as a liability to commercial office 

right of use assets (where applicable).

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22. Adoption of AASB 16 Leases continued

(a) Transition continued
The above items resulted in the following impacts on the Group’s financial statements on 1 July 2019:

• Commercial offices:

 – right of use assets of $35.6 million and corresponding lease liabilities of $35.6 million were recognised;

 – existing onerous contract provisions of $4.2 million were offset against commercial office right of use assets, reducing the right 

of use assets recognised to $31.4 million; and

 – for sub lease arrangements which met the definition of a finance lease, right of use assets of $3.7 million were derecognised 

and a $3.8 million net investment in the lease was recognised.

• Office equipment, shopping centre offices and other lease arrangements: right of use assets of $9.9 million and corresponding lease 

liabilities of $9.9 million were recognised.

The weighted average rate applied to these lease arrangements was 4.25%. 

The difference between the operating lease commitments disclosed at 30 June 2019 discounted using the weighted average incremental 
borrowing rate at 1 July 2019 and the balance of the ‘Other’ lease liabilities recognised at 1 July 2019 post transition (total of $45.5 million 
as shown in the table at Note 22(c) below) is largely due to adjustments as a result of reassessing lease extension and termination options.

Investment property leaseholds
As disclosed in the footnotes to Note 4(d), a number of the Group’s investment properties are held under long-term leasehold arrangements. 
As per market practice, external and internal valuations performed to determine the fair value of these properties at reporting date have 
deducted the estimated lease payments from the valuation cash flows. 

AASB 16 did not change the requirement to recognise assets and liabilities in respect of the Group’s leasehold arrangements. Investment 
property leaseholds meet the definition of investment property and are presented within investment property. 

However, as a result of applying AASB 16, the Group has reviewed its investment property leaseholds and included leases not previously 
included during transition and also reassessed the lease terms for certain investment property leaseholds. This resulted in the Group 
recognising additional liabilities (and assets) amounting to $42.5 million.

(b) Updated accounting policies
The following revised accounting policies relating to leases have been applied by the Group since adoption of AASB 16 on 1 July 2019.

All leases are accounted for by recognising a right of use asset and a lease liability except for:

• leases of low value assets; and

• short-term leases.

Lease liabilities
Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the contractual payments due to the lessor over the lease term (which includes 
any extension option periods assessed as reasonably certain to be exercised). The discount rate applied is determined by reference to 
the interest rate implicit in the lease unless (as is typically the case) this is not readily determinable, in which case the lessee’s incremental 
borrowing rate on commencement of the lease is used. Variable lease payments are only included in the measurement of the lease liability 
if they depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date. In such cases, the initial 
measurement of the lease liability assumes the variable element will remain unchanged throughout the lease. Other variable lease 
payments are expensed in the period to which they relate.

On initial recognition, the carrying value of the lease liability also includes:

• amounts expected to be payable under any residual value guarantee;

• the exercise price of any purchase option granted in favour of the Group if it is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and

• any penalties payable for terminating the lease, if the term of the lease has been estimated on the basis of termination option 

being exercised.

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Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Subsequent to initial measurement, lease liabilities increase as a result of interest charged at a constant rate on the balance outstanding 
and are reduced for lease payments made. Lease liabilities are remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from 
modification, a change in an index or rate, when there is a change in the assessment of the term of any lease or a change in the 
assessment of purchasing the underlying asset. 

Right of use assets
Right of use assets are initially measured at the amount of the lease liability recognised, adjusted for any prepaid lease payments, initial direct 
costs incurred and an estimate of costs to be incurred by the lessee in restoring the site on which it is located. 

Subsequent to initial measurement, right of use assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the lease or over the 
remaining economic life of the asset if this is judged to be shorter than the lease term. Right of use assets are also subject to assessment 
for impairment.

Right of use assets and net investments in leases and lease liabilities are presented separately in the Balance Sheet. Right of use assets 
relating to investment properties are included within the investment property balance.

(c) Movements for the year
The table below show the movements in the Group’s lease related balances for the period:

For the 12 months to 30 June 2020
Opening balance – 1 July 2019
Interest charge on lease liabilities
Lease (receipts)/payments3
New leases during the period
Market rent reassessment
Depreciation4
Impairment of right of use asset5
Closing balance6

Assets
Right of use assets, 
net investments 
in leases  
$m
41.52
–
(1.3)
(0.1)
–
(6.1)
(1.1)
32.9

Lease liabilities

Investment property 
leaseholds  
$m
(266.4)1
(18.7)
19.4
(10.7)
(3.1)
–
–

(279.5)7

Other leases  
$m
(45.5)2
(1.8)
9.2
(0.1)
–
–
–
(38.2)

1.  Includes amounts recognised upon reassessment of the lease term for certain investment property leasehold arrangements.
2.  Includes amounts recognised upon transition for commercial offices, sub leases and shopping centre offices.
3.  Lease payments (net of sub lease receipts) includes $6.7 million in principal repayments and $20.6 million in interest charges on lease liabilities.
4.  Consists of corporate offices $3.0 million, office equipment and other assets $0.4 million and shopping centre offices $2.7 million.
5.  Impairment of commercial office right of use asset where the Group is head lessor due to the subtenant vacating earlier than anticipated. 
6.  Total lease liabilities of $317.7 million represents $29.3 million of current lease liabilities and $288.4 million of non-current lease liabilities.
7.  As disclosed in Note 4(d), a number of the Group’s investment properties are held under long-term leasehold arrangements. The lease liabilities in relation to these 

investment property leaseholds meet the definition of investment property and are presented within investment property in Note 4(a).

(d) Lease liabilities maturity profile
The table below show the undiscounted maturity profile of the Group’s lease liabilities due as follows:

Lease liabilities
Not later than one year
Later than one but not more than five years
More than five years
Closing balance

30-Jun-20  
$m
35.4
114.3
543.6
693.3

30-Jun-191  
$m
15.9
68.6
547.3
631.8

1.  Represents undiscounted payments on investment property leaseholds recognised as finance lease liabilities at 30 June 2019. Lease commitments on leases previously 

recognised as operating leases at 30 June 2019 (prior to adoption of AASB 16) are disclosed in Note 21(a).

Adopting AASB 16 has had no significant impact on statutory net profit and earnings per share for the year. 

The Group also recognised variable lease payments of $12.5 million during the period. These related primarily to investment property 
leaseholds where a component of lease payments is based on profitability achieved by the relevant property. As these lease payments 
are variable in nature, they are not included within the investment property leaseholds lease liability balance.

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23. Other Group accounting matters

(a) Other accounting policies
This section contains other accounting policies that relate to the financial statements as a whole, detail of any changes in accounting 
policies and the impact of new or amended accounting standards.

Principles of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements comprise the assets and liabilities of all controlled entities at 30 June 2020 and the results 
of all controlled entities for the financial year unless otherwise stated. Controlled entities are:

• all entities over which the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability 

to affect those returns through its power to direct the relevant activities of the entity; and

• fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group, and, where applicable, deconsolidated from the date 

on which control ceases.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of controlled entities, and the balances and effects of transactions 
between all controlled entities are eliminated in full.

Vicinity Limited is the parent of the stapled Group for accounting purposes. The results and equity attributable to Vicinity Centres Trust 
(that is, the amounts shown as attributable to securityholders of other stapled entities of the Group) are shown prior to the elimination 
of transactions between Vicinity Limited and Vicinity Centres Trust.

Investments in joint operations
Included in investment properties are shopping centres that are accounted for as joint operations – in the form of direct ownership of a 
partial freehold or leasehold interest in a shopping centre with a strategic partner, based on standard market joint operation agreements. 
The Group accounts for joint operations by recognising its share of the shopping centre, classified as investment property, and its share 
of other assets, liabilities, income and expenses from the use and output of the joint operation.

Fair value measurement
The Group has classified fair value measurements into the following hierarchy as required by AASB 13 Fair Value Measurement:

• Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. 

• Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

Future impact of Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued but not yet effective
There are no accounting standards or interpretation issued but not yet effective that are expected to have a material impact on the Group.  

126

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 202024. Events occurring after the reporting date
Completion of Security Purchase Plan (SPP)
The Group announced the SPP on 1 June 2020. This provided retail securityholders the opportunity to acquire up to $30,000 of new 
Vicinity stapled securities. The SPP offer closed on 6 July 2020 with subscriptions totalling $32.6 million. Subsequently, on 13 July 2020 
22.6 million new Vicinity stapled securities were issued at a price of $1.44. These securities began trading alongside existing Vicinity 
securities on 14 July 2020.

Melbourne Stage 3 and Stage 4 lockdowns
Stage 3 lockdown restrictions were announced by the Victorian Premier for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire on 7 July 2020 (effective from  
9 July 2020) and Stage 4 announced on 2 August 2020. Approximately 52% of the Group’s retail investment property portfolio (by value) 
is located within Victoria. These announcements and any future further restrictions will unfavourably impact the Group’s rental collections 
and financial performance in FY21. 

Additionally, as disclosed in Note 4(c), the Group considered the impact of an additional Stage 3 type lockdown of up to eight weeks in 
determining investment property fair values at 30 June 2020. An escalation to Stage 4 restrictions was not envisaged and therefore the 
announcement on 2 August 2020 would unfavourably impact the 30 June 2020 fair value of investment properties had it been considered 
at that time.

Rental assistance negotiations
As disclosed in Note 10 to the financial statements due to the impacts of COVID-19 on retail trade, the Group is in the process of 
negotiating rental assistance and/or changes to lease terms with a significant number of tenants across the portfolio. The Group estimates 
that rental assistance will be provided for approximately 84% of lease agreements. As at 10 August 2020, the terms of rental assistance 
had been agreed in-principle with approximately 43% of tenants.

COVID-19 pandemic
The duration and extent of the pandemic and related financial, social and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertain. 
Disclosures have been included in Note 2, Note 3, Note 4 and Note 10 to the financial report on the impact that this uncertainty has had 
on the reported amounts of relevant revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities for the year ended 30 June 2020 and the potential impacts 
that this uncertainty may have on revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities in future periods.

Other than the matters described above, no matters have arisen since the end of the year which have significantly affected or may significantly 
affect, the operations of the Group, the results of those operations or the state of affairs of the Group in future financial periods.

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In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Vicinity Limited, we declare that:

(a)  in the opinion of the Directors, the financial statements and notes set out on pages 76 to 127 are in accordance with the 

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including: 

i. 

giving a true and fair view of the Group and its controlled entities’ financial position as at 30 June 2020 and of the performance 
for the financial year ended on that date; and

ii.  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth); and

iii.  complying with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as disclosed 

in the About This Report section of the financial statements; and

(b)  in the opinion of the Directors, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Group and its controlled entities will be able to pay 

their debts as and when they become due and payable; and

(c)  the Directors have been given the Declarations required to be made to the Directors in accordance with section 295A of the 

Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for the financial year ended 30 June 2020.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Vicinity Limited.

Trevor Gerber
Chairman

Sydney

19 August 2020

128

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Independent Auditor’s Report

Ernst & Young
8 Exhibition Street 
Melbourne  VIC  3000  Australia
GPO Box 67 Melbourne  VIC  3001

Tel: +61 3 9288 8000
Fax: +61 3 8650 7777
ey.com/au

Independent Auditor's Report  

To the Members of Vicinity Limited 

Report on the Audit of the Financial Report 

Opinion 

We have audited the financial report of Vicinity Limited (the “Company”), and the entities it controlled 
(collectively “Vicinity Centres” or the “Group”), which comprises the consolidated balance sheet as at 
30 June 2020, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of 
changes in equity and consolidated cash flow statement for the year then ended, notes to the financial 
statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the Directors’ declaration. 

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations 
Act 2001, including: 

a)

giving a true and fair view of the consolidated balance sheet of the Group as at 30 June 2020 and 
of its consolidated financial performance for the year ended on that date; and 

b)

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

Basis for Opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial 
Report section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor 
independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the 
Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional 
Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the “Code”) that are relevant to our audit of the 
financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with 
the Code.   

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis 
for our opinion. 

Key Audit Matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in 
our audit of the financial report of the current year. These matters were addressed in the context of 
our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, but we do not provide 
a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit 
addressed the matter is provided in that context. 

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the 
Financial Report section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit 
included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of 
material misstatement of the financial report. The results of our audit procedures, including the 
procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the 
accompanying financial report.

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

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Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report continued

1. Shopping Centre Investment Property Portfolio – Carrying Values and Revaluations 

Why significant 

How the matter was addressed in the audit 

The Group directly owns a portfolio of retail property 
assets valued at $13,801.4 million at 30 June 2020, 
which represents 90.6% of total assets of the Group. 
In addition, there are retail property assets valued at 
$625.7 million held through interests in Joint 
Ventures. 

The Group’s total assets include investment properties 
either held directly or through interests in Joint 
Ventures. These assets are carried at fair value, which 
is assessed by the Group with reference to external 
independent property valuations. Fair values are 
determined based on market conditions existing at the 
reporting date.  

Our audit procedures included the following for both 
properties held directly and through interests in Joint 
Ventures: 

► We discussed the following matters with management: 

► movements in the Group’s investment property 

portfolio; 

► changes in the condition of each property, including 
an understanding of key developments and changes 
to development activities; 

► controls in place relevant to the valuation and 

development processes; and 

The valuation of investment properties is inherently 
subjective. A small difference in any one of the key 
market input assumptions, when aggregated across all 
the properties, could result in a material change to the 
valuation of investment properties.  

► the impact that COVID-19 has had on the Group’s 

investment property portfolio including rental waivers 
and deferrals offered to tenants and tenant 
occupancy risk arising from changes in the estimated 
lease renewals. 

We consider this a key audit matter due to the number 
of judgments required in determining fair value.  

► On a sample basis, we performed the following 

procedures: 

Impact of COVID-19 on investment property values 

Given the market conditions at balance date, the 
independent valuers have reported on the basis of the 
existence of ‘material valuation uncertainty’, noting 
that less certainty, and a higher degree of caution, 
should be attached to the valuations than would 
normally be the case.  

The disclosures in the financial statements provide 
particularly important information about the 
assumptions made in the property valuations and the 
market conditions at 30 June 2020. 

We draw attention to Note 4 of the financial report 
which describes the material valuation uncertainty 
and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 
determination of fair value of investment properties 
and how this has been considered by the directors in 
the preparation of the financial report at 30 June 
2020. Due to the material valuation uncertainty 
arising from the COVID-19 pandemic the property 
values may change significantly and unexpectedly 
over a relatively short period of time. 

► Evaluated the key assumptions and agreed key inputs 
to tenancy schedules. We tested the effectiveness of 
relevant controls over the leasing process and 
associated tenancy reports which are used as source 
data in the property valuations.  

► Assessed whether changes to lease arrangements as 
a result of COVID-19 had been factored into the 
valuations and that changes in tenant occupancy risk 
were also considered. 

► Tested the mathematical accuracy of valuations. 

► Involved our real estate valuation specialists to assist 
with the assessment of the valuation assumptions and 
methodologies, in particular changes made as a result 
of COVID-19. 

► Where relevant we compared the valuation against 
comparable transactions utilised in the valuation 
process. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

130

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
1. Shopping Centre Investment Property Portfolio – Carrying Values and Revaluations (continued) 

Why significant 

How the matter was addressed in the audit 

► Evaluated the suitability of the valuation methodology 
across the portfolio based on the type of asset. We 
considered the reports of the independent valuers 
and held discussions with them, where appropriate, to 
gain an understanding of the assumptions and 
estimates used and the valuation methodology 
applied. This included the impact that COVID-19 has 
had on key assumptions such as the capitalisation, 
discount or growth rate and future forecast rentals. 
We have also considered the ‘material valuation 
uncertainty’ disclosure included in the valuation 
reports and any other restrictions imposed on the 
valuation process (if any) and the market conditions 
at balance date. 

► Assessed the qualifications, competence and 

objectivity of the valuers. 

► Considered the additional valuation adjustments made as 
a result of the increase in COVID-19 cases and postcode 
lockdowns observed in Victoria in late June 2020. 

► We have considered whether there have been any 

indicators of material changes in property valuations from 
30 June 2020 up to the date of our opinion or any 
matters emerging since 30 June 2020 which provide 
evidence of a material change in valuation at that date. 
We involved our real estate valuation specialists to assist 
us in making this assessment.  

► We have considered whether the financial report 

disclosures, in particular those relating to the material 
valuation uncertainty of the Investment Property 
portfolio, are appropriate. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

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Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report continued

2. Carrying value of trade receivables 

Why significant 

How the matter was addressed in the audit 

As at 30 June 2020, the Group held $49.6 million in 
trade receivables, net of $169.6 million allowance for 
expected credit losses.  

In assessing the carrying value of trade receivables, we: 

► Assessed the effectiveness of relevant controls in relation 

to tenant lease arrangements. 

► Tested the existence of trade receivables for a sample of 

tenant balances. 

► Assessed receipts after year-end to determine any 

material change to exposure at the date of the financial 
report. 

► Assessed whether the inputs into the determination of 

expected credit losses were consistent with the principles 
of AASB 9 and tested the mathematical accuracy of the 
calculations. 

► Considered the Group’s assessment of risk rating and 
associated allowance rate, for a sample of tenants. 

► Evaluated the key assumptions applied in calculating 
expected credit losses, for a sample of tenants. 

► Assessed whether forward-looking information was 
considered in the expected credit losses model.   

► Assessed the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures in 

relation to the valuation uncertainty of trade receivables 
included in the financial report, including the 
assumptions, estimations and judgements made in 
calculating the allowance for expected credit losses. 

Trade receivables primarily comprise amounts due 
from tenants of the Group’s investment properties 
under lease agreements, less an allowance for 
expected credit losses. 

The Group applies Australian Accounting Standard - 
AASB 9 Financial Instruments in calculating the 
allowance for expected credit losses, applying a 
forward-looking expected loss impairment model. This 
involves significant judgement as the expected credit 
losses must reflect information about past events, 
current conditions and forecasts of future conditions.  

The recoverability of trade receivables is considered a 
key audit matter due to the value of uncollected rental 
income at 30 June 2020 and the significant 
judgement required in determining the allowance for 
expected credit losses.  

The rapidly changing and uncertain trading and 
economic environment and the uncertain outcome of 
rental assistance negotiations with tenants have all 
contributed to significant estimation uncertainty in 
determining the allowance for expected credit losses 
at 30 June 2020. 

We draw attention to Note 10 of the financial report 
which describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 
on the trade receivables and the related allowance for 
expected credit losses and how this has been 
considered by the directors in the preparation of the 
financial report at 30 June 2020. We note in the 
event the impact of COVID-19 varies from conditions 
anticipated at balance date, this may result in a 
change in the expected credit loss provision in future 
periods. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

132

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
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3. Carrying value of intangible assets  

Why significant 

How the matter was addressed in the audit 

As at 30 June 2020 the Group held $164.2 million in 
intangible assets (relating to indefinite life external 
management contracts). $427.0 million of goodwill was 
impaired during the year.  

As outlined in Note 16, goodwill and indefinite life external 
management contracts are tested for impairment annually, or 
when there is an impairment indicator. 

The recoverable amount of the indefinite life external 
management contracts has been determined based on a fair 
value less cost of disposal (“Fair Value”) method using 
discounted cash flows (“DCFs”) of the external asset and 
funds management business. 

The recoverable amount of the Property Investment Cash 
Generating Unit (“CGU”), to which goodwill had historically 
been allocated, has been determined using the Fair Value 
method based on DCFs of the CGU’s underlying earnings, 
adjusted for interest expense and capital expenditure 
requirements.  

The impairment assessment includes judgements and 
estimates made by the Group such as the growth rate of 
forecasted cash flows, discount rate and terminal value. For 
this reason, we consider this a key audit matter. 

The assessment performed at 30 June 2020 determined that 
the carrying value of the Property Investment CGU exceeded 
its recoverable amount. The impairment was allocated by fully 
impairing the $427.0 million of goodwill. No impairment was 
allocated to the other assets in the CGU as they are not within 
the scope of AASB 136 Impairment of Assets or their carrying 
value was at or below recoverable amount.  

In performing our audit procedures, we: 

► Considered the appropriateness and application 

of valuation methodologies applied. 

► Considered the key inputs and assumptions such 

as forecast cash flows, discount rates and 
overhead allocations adopted in the valuations. 

► Compared the data used in the DCFs to the actual 

and budgeted financial performance of the 
Group. 

► Compared earnings multiples derived from the 
Group’s impairment testing model to those 
observable from external market data obtained 
from comparable listed entities.  

► Considered the allocation of impairment to the 
assets within the Property Investment CGU in 
accordance with AASB 136. 

► Assessed the disclosures included in Note 16 to 

the financial report. 

Our valuation specialists were involved in the 
conduct of these procedures where appropriate. 

Information Other than the Financial Report and Auditor’s Report Thereon 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the 
information included in Vicinity Centres’ 2020 Annual Report, but does not include the financial report 
and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon, with the exception of the Remuneration Report 
and our related assurance opinion.  

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial 
report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.  

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this 
other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020

133

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report continued

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a 
true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 
and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the 
financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters relating to going concern and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is 
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that 
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 
audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report. 

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional 
judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: 

► Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to 

fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit 
evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not 
detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from 
error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the 
override of internal control. 

► Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.  

► Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 

estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.  

► Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting 
and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to 
events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going 
concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in 
our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are 
inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up 
to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to 
cease to continue as a going concern.  

► Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the 

disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events 
in a manner that achieves fair presentation. 

► Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or 

business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the financial report. We are 
responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain solely 
responsible for our audit opinion. 

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

134

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
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135

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global LimitedLiability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. We also provide the directors with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, actions taken to eliminate threats or safeguards applied. From the matters communicated to the directors, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the financial report of the current year and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication. Report on the Audit of the Remuneration Report Opinion on the Remuneration Report We have audited the Remuneration Report included in the Directors' report for the year ended  30 June 2020. In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Vicinity Limited for the year ended 30 June 2020, complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Responsibilities The directors are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Remuneration Report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.         Ernst & Young         Alison Parker      Michael Collins  Partner       Partner Melbourne       Melbourne      19 August 2020      19 August 2020  Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of Securityholders
as at 17 August 2020

Spread of securityholders

Range
100,001 and over
10,001 to 100,000
5,001 to 10,000
1,001 to 5,000
1 to 1,000
Total

Number of 
securityholders
303
6,707
5,336
9,468
6,928
28,742

Number of
securities 
4,323,789,629
159,127,779
39,560,911
26,509,374
3,287,665
4,552,275,358

% of issued
securities
94.98
3.50
0.87
0.58
0.07
100.00

The number of securityholders holding less than a marketable parcel of 370 securities ($1.355 on 17 August 2020) is 2,739 and they 
hold 496,441 securities.

On-market purchase of securities
During FY20, 2,234,800 Vicinity securities were purchased on-market at an average price per security of $2.57 by the trustee for the 
EESP, STI and LTI to satisfy entitlements under these plans. In addition, a total of 52,998,609 Vicinity securities were bought back during 
FY20 at an average price of $2.19. On 5 June 2020, 810,810,811. Placement securities were issued at $1.48 per security and on  
13 July 2020, 22,631,954 SPP securities were issued at $1.44 per security.

Substantial securityholders 
Company name
The Gandel Group Pty Ltd and associates
The Vanguard Group Inc
BlackRock Group (BlackRock Inc and its associates)
BNP Paribas nominees as custodian for UniSuper Ltd
State Street Corporation and subsidiaries

20 largest securityholders

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 
National Nominees Limited 
Rosslynbridge Pty Ltd
Besgan No. 1 Pty Ltd 
Besgan No. 2 Pty Ltd 
Besgan No. 3 Pty Ltd 
Besgan No. 4 Pty Ltd 
Allowater Pty Ltd
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 
Braybridge Pty Ltd
Ledburn Proprietary Limited 
Broadgan Proprietary Limited 
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
Cenarth Pty Ltd
Applebrook Pty Ltd 
Jadecliff Pty Ltd 
Moondale Pty Ltd
Rosecreek Pty Ltd
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited – GSCO ECA 
Ledburn Proprietary Limited
National Nominees Limited 
Merrill Lynch (Australia) Nominees Pty Limited 

Rank Name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
7
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
16
16
16
17
18
19
20
Total 20 largest 20 securityholders
Balance of register
Total issued capital

136

Effective date
5 June 2020
9 June 2020
20 May 2020
5 April 2019
11 March 2019

Number of securities
691,238,665
438,132,853
294,348,228
269,126,539
234,217,711

Number of  
securities held
1,414,744,302
906,542,762
441,158,740
406,038,898
153,300,973
92,069,814
88,515,564
88,515,564
88,515,564
88,515,564
63,624,571
46,243,236
45,812,781
43,656,447
37,195,552
36,474,902
34,936,389
31,605,848
13,219,491
13,219,491
13,219,491
13,219,491
11,314,133
10,206,076
9,354,252
9,137,056
4,200,356,952
351,918,406
4,552,275,358

% of issued  
securities
31.08
19.91
9.69
8.92
3.37
2.02
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.40
1.02
1.01
0.96
0.82
0.80
0.77
0.69
0.29
0.29
0.29
0.29
0.25
0.22
0.21
0.20
92.27
7.73
100.00

Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020Corporate Directory

Vicinity Centres
comprising:

Vicinity Limited
ABN 90 114 757 783

and

Vicinity Centres Trust
ARSN 104 931 928

ASX listing
Vicinity Centres is listed on the  
ASX under the listing code VCX

Board of Directors
Trevor Gerber (Chairman)
Grant Kelley (CEO)
Clive Appleton
David Thurin
Janette Kendall
Karen Penrose
Peter Kahan
Tim Hammon

Company Secretaries
Carolyn Reynolds
Rohan Abeyewardene

Registered office
Chadstone Tower One
Level 4, 1341 Dandenong Road
Chadstone Victoria 3148 Australia
Telephone: +61 3 7001 4000
Facsimile:  +61 3 7001 4001
Web: 

vicinity.com.au

Auditors
Ernst & Young
8 Exhibition Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia

Follow us on:

Security Registrar
If you have queries relating to your 
securityholding or wish to update your 
personal or payment details, please  
contact the Security Registrar.

Link Market Services Limited
Tower 4, 727 Collins Street, Melbourne
Victoria 3008 Australia

General securityholder enquiries:

Toll Free:   +61 1300 887 890
Facsimile:  +61 2 9287 0303
Facsimile:  +61 2 9287 0309

Email:  
Post: 

(for proxy voting)
vicinity@linkmarketservices.com.au
Locked Bag A14, Sydney
South NSW 1235
Australia

Access your securityholding online
You can update your personal details  
and access information about your 
securityholding online by clicking 
‘Securityholder login’ on our home page  
at vicinity.com.au, or via the ‘Investor 
Services’ section of the Security Registrar’s 
website at linkmarketservices.com.au, 
or scan the QR Code (below) to take 
you to the investor centre. 

Securityholders can use the online 
system to:

• view your holding balances, distribution 

payments and transaction history;

• choose your preferred Annual Report 

and communications options;

• confirm whether you have lodged your 
Tax File Number (TFN) or Australian 
Business Number (ABN);

• update your contact details;

• update your bank account details;

• check Vicinity Centres’ security  

price; and

• download various securityholder 

instruction forms.

Contact Vicinity Centres
We are committed to delivering a high 
level of service to all securityholders. 
Should there be some way you feel that 
we can improve our service, we would like 
to know. Whether you are making a 
suggestion or a complaint, your feedback 
is always appreciated.

Investor relations
Email: investor.relations@vicinity.com.au

The Responsible Entity is a member 
(member no. 28912) of the Australian 
Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA),  
an external dispute resolution scheme  
to handle complaints from consumers  
in the financial system. If you are not 
satisfied with the resolution of your 
complaint by the Responsible Entity,  
you may refer your complaint to AFCA,  
GPO Box 3, Melbourne Victoria 3001,  
by telephone on 1800 931 678,  
by email to info@afca.org.au, or by lodging  
it online at afca.org.au.

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Vicinity Centres Annual Report 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
vicinity.com.au