longevity group australia shareholder response to … · 2020-03-20 · longevity group australia...

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LONGEVITY GROUP AUSTRALIA Response to Coronavirus COVID-19. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now in the news every day and it can be difficult to separate the facts from myths around the virus. Every organisation, large and small, is developing their own appropriate strategies both as responsible corporate citizens and to protect the health and safety of their staff, customers and the general community. It is important at this time that we all take measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. At Longevity Group Australia we have developed strategies in line with Australian and Victorian Government recommendations that will allow our business to function as near to normally as is possible during this time. The following steps and strategies have been implemented by Longevity Group Australia as a public health precaution in support of measures to contain COVID-19: • Each of our projects has been assessed for the impact COVID-19 could potentially pose. • All of our contractors have been contacted to ensure that they have their own COVID-19 strategy in place. • Where the Australian Government recommends voluntary isolation for staff returning from overseas, we will ensure these staff work from home for the recommended isolation period. • We will ask clients and suppliers on entering our offices or display suites if they have been overseas in the last two weeks. Clients or suppliers who have travelled to any high-risk areas will be asked not to attend our business for 14 days. • Hand sanitiser will be available throughout our business and display suites. • Signs will be displayed discouraging physical contact and suggesting norms of conduct. • In our office all door handles, phones, reception desks, water filters and common areas will be wiped with sanitisers regularly. At Longevity Group Australia we have an agile workforce that are used to using technology to improve our work and communications, these skills will be invaluable as we tackle the challenges COVID-19 presents to us. These measures will be effective immediately, until further notice. As we monitor information and follow recommendations provided by the Australian and Victorian governments, these strategies may continue to evolve. We will keep you informed of any changes to this response. We look forward to continuing to develop homes that enable people to live the lifestyle they want, in the communities they love, longer than ever thought possible. Welcome Welcome to the second edition of Longevity Group Australia’s Shareholder Update. Through these regular updates, we will be providing you with information about our business, our team and our shareholders. Our aim is to share with you our progress and answer any questions you have about Longevity and its strategy. Many of you already receive our online Shareholder update, and we really want to encourage more of you to register and subscribe to our online eNewsletter to ensure you are kept informed about our activities. This will be the last time we will be communicating our updates via postal delivery because of the cost and it is really important that you register to receive these bulletins via email. For those who have already registered for the online updates you will have received information regarding the progress of our projects and our application to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for our Share Buy-back scheme. If you have any suggestions for future updates please don’t hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]. You can also elect to be included on the listing to receive regular updates about our individual projects. BULLETIN SHAREHOLDER longevityga.com.au Shareholder Q&A We have received a lot of constructive and supportive questions from shareholders and have summarised the responses and we have published these on our website. We are aware that some shareholders have received letters from one shareholder, who does not support our plans to grow the business. The Board has considered his proposals and determined that they are not practical or in the best interest of all shareholders.

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Page 1: LONGEVITY GROUP AUSTRALIA SHAREHOLDER Response to … · 2020-03-20 · LONGEVITY GROUP AUSTRALIA Response to Coronavirus COVID-19. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now in the news every

LONGEVITY GROUP AUSTRALIA Response to Coronavirus COVID-19.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now in the news every day and it can be difficult to separate the facts from myths around the virus. Every organisation, large and small, is developing their own appropriate strategies both as responsible corporate citizens and to protect the health and safety of their staff, customers and the general community.

It is important at this time that we all take measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. At Longevity Group Australia we have developed strategies in line with Australian and Victorian Government recommendations that will allow our business to function as near to normally as is possible during this time.

The following steps and strategies have been implemented by Longevity Group Australia as a public health precaution in support of measures to contain COVID-19:

• Each of our projects has been assessed for the impact COVID-19 could potentially pose.

• All of our contractors have been contacted to ensure that they have their own COVID-19 strategy in place.

• Where the Australian Government recommends voluntary isolation for staff returning from overseas, we will ensure these staff work from home for the recommended isolation period.

• We will ask clients and suppliers on entering our offices or display suites if they have been overseas in the last two weeks. Clients or suppliers who have travelled to any high-risk areas will be asked not to attend our business for 14 days.

• Hand sanitiser will be available throughout our business and display suites.

• Signs will be displayed discouraging physical contact and suggesting norms of conduct.

• In our office all door handles, phones, reception desks, water filters and common areas will be wiped with sanitisers regularly.

At Longevity Group Australia we have an agile workforce that are used to using technology to improve our work and communications, these skills will be invaluable as we tackle the challenges COVID-19 presents to us.

These measures will be effective immediately, until further notice. As we monitor information and follow recommendations provided by the Australian and Victorian governments, these strategies may continue to evolve. We will keep you informed of any changes to this response.

We look forward to continuing to develop homes that enable people to live the lifestyle they want, in the communities they love, longer than ever thought possible.

Welcome

Welcome to the second edition of Longevity Group Australia’s Shareholder Update.

Through these regular updates, we will be providing you with information about our business, our team

and our shareholders. Our aim is to share with you our progress and answer any questions you have

about Longevity and its strategy.

Many of you already receive our online Shareholder update, and we really want to encourage more of you

to register and subscribe to our online eNewsletter to ensure you are kept informed about our activities.

This will be the last time we will be communicating our updates via postal delivery because of the cost and

it is really important that you register to receive these bulletins via email.

For those who have already registered for the online updates you will have received information regarding

the progress of our projects and our application to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for

our Share Buy-back scheme.

If you have any suggestions for future updates please don’t hesitate to get in touch at

[email protected].

You can also elect to be included on the listing to receive regular updates about our individual projects.

BULLETINSHAREHOLDER

longevityga.com.au

Shareholder Q&A We have received a lot of constructive and supportive questions from shareholders and have summarised the responses and we have published these on our website.

We are aware that some shareholders have received letters from one shareholder, who does not support our plans to grow the business. The Board has considered his proposals and determined that they are not practical or in the best interest of all shareholders.

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In December the Chairman, Martyn Pickersgill, wrote to all shareholders about the Share Buy-back and our application is progressing with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

The Buy-back scheme will be undertaken in 2020 after the necessary regulatory approval is received from ASIC.

Please be aware that we are restricted by Government regulation on the number of shares we can buy-back in any calendar year.

Currently we are developing an information booklet that will provide the details of the Buy-back proposal and will be distributed to all shareholders when it is finalised, which we anticipate will be in April. It will also be published on the company’s website.

The offer will be limited to a total of 10% of Longevity shares. In the event that the offer is oversubscribed (ie the 10% limit is exceeded), the company is seeking relief from ASIC to prioritise the Buy-back of small shareholdings and from shareholders wishing to participate in relation to their total shareholdings. We will notify shareholders of the outcome of our discussions with the ATO.

To take advantage of the Easy Update website where you can update personal details and select to receive automated e-newsletters and security holder communication elections (ie Notice of Meeting for AGM) please see below.

Note: If you hold shares in ASX listed companies and have an existing Investor Centre account with Computershare, you will not be able to add your Longevity Group Australia Limited shares to your existing account, you will need to create a new account for these unlisted shares.

Please ensure you have your Securityholder Reference Number (‘SRN). This number is found on the front of your certificate at the top of the page and begins with the letter “I”, in front of you before entering the Easy Update website. For security reasons please keep this information (SRN) confidential.

STEP 1 Go to www.computershare.com.au/easyupdate/LGVU The Easy Update service is fast, secure and will ensure you receive information on time. This facility allows your personal information to be reviewed and updated as required by yourself.

STEP 2 Provide your access details SRN, Post Code or Country, the 5-character security code and read and agree to the Terms & Conditions.

STEP 3 Update your personal information if required and include your email address.

STEP 4 In Step 3 select your Communication preferences for Company Information; Statements, and Notice of Meeting and Proxy.

STEP 5 Please ensure the details you have entered are correct before clicking “confirm”. Record your receipt number as you will need this should you have any enquiries regarding this service.

We will also mail a copy to shareholders that do not have email or access to the internet upon request.

It is important to all of us that all shareholders have prompt access to developments within the company.

Share Buy-backIn the December correspondence the Chairman stated:

“The Board considers that the proposed

Share Buy-back is in the best interests of

the Company as it allows all shareholders

an opportunity to sell their shares. The

Company is aware that shareholders

are being approached in relation to their

shareholdings. We will keep you informed

about the proposed Share Buy-back,

and the Company’s affairs generally, and

encourage shareholders to disregard

any speculation about the Company’s

intentions which are not communicated

directly by the Company.”We stand by the Board determination and will keep all shareholders informed with accurate and factual information.

How to enter your security holder information online

STEP 1: www.computershare.com.au/easyupdate/LGVU

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Understanding the housing concerns of older Australians

To successfully address the housing needs of older Australians, we need to ensure that we understand the challenges and opportunities people face with housing as they get older.

Over the last eighteen months we have undertaken ongoing research with residents over the age of 55 across Melbourne to explore the importance of home and community, and how people navigate challenging housing decisions.

The research helps us to continue to refine our

offer and deliver projects that meet the needs of the rapidly growing market for homes purpose built for people as they grow older.

If you’re interested to know more about what we’ve uncovered, take a look at “Five housing concerns of older Australians.”

Or take a look at our “Ageing and Housing Research Report.”

These can be located on the Longevity web page: longevityga.com.au/insights

Gerry Bullon joined the Board of Directors in 2018. He also serves as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of SDI Limited, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Q1. What are you passionate about?

Travel, movies, reading and Single Malt whisky.

Q2. What is your favourite sport & why or what got you interested in it?

From a watching perspective, soccer or as we called it in Scotland, football. I grew up with a brother who was a mad fan of Glasgow Rangers and I just followed in his footsteps. I did have the pleasure of working with the club for 18 months setting up their fan newspaper (now magazine), The Rangers News...still going 35 years later. As a playing sport, tennis is my favourite.

Q3. What do you see the company doing better in the future?

Now that we have a clear focus on what our new core business is, I look forward to us getting smarter at finding new sites and implementing our learnings on each new development.

Q4. What was the driving reason for you to join the Longevity Board?

Having had some interaction with the company just post the demutualisation and buying into the new vision, it was also a pleasure to resume a working relationship with Sharon Brearley Roberts after 23 years!

Q5. What’s your favourite holiday destination?

If we’re talking international – France. Beautiful countryside and great food and wine. At home I love the Great Ocean Road.

Q6. What items are on your ‘Bucket List’ and why?

Fjords, Northern Lights, more travel... and what’s not to like about any of those.

Q7. What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a child?

A journalist. I have always enjoyed words and have actually done quite a bit of freelance writing over the years as well as the less journalistic writing of prospectuses and annual reports.

Q8. What did you have to give up to achieve your current level of success?

I have been blessed since coming to Australia in 1968 and really haven’t had to sacrifice a lot. Perhaps leaving my family in Scotland but then my parents migrated 12 years after me and in fact are both buried in Sydney, where I lived for 18 years.

Q9. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Q10. What does success mean to you?

Having a comfortable life, being surrounded by good friends and family.

Director Q&A Gerald Bullon, FAICD

Non-Executive Director

Meeting the needs of a booming marketSince 1888 we have strived to meet the needs of our members, shareholders and customers. As the Melbourne Tramway Employees Mutual Benefits Society, and then the Transport Friendly Society (TFSL), we looked after the needs of transport workers and their families by providing health care and retirement living. Over the years we have adapted to meet the changing needs of our members and society.

Now, as Longevity Group Australia, we are meeting the growing demand for age-friendly housing. In Australia, there are more than 8.5 million people

over the age of 50 and our research shows that the vast majority don’t plan to live out their days in retirement villages. They want truly independent accommodation.

Research shows that older people greatly value their independence and want to remain active and contributing members of society.

This is the foundation for the future of our business. A booming market for homes that adapt to your needs as you age, allow you to remain connected to your community and have all the benefits of full ownership.

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AVENUE RISE We’ve got more good news to share with our Avenue Rise project now that the internal fit-out works have commenced to the ground floor. Visiting the site on a regular basis, we’re excited that these apartments are taking shape nicely.

Scaffolding is up and we will begin to see cladding fitted outside the building and the form of the building will really take shape. The next major milestone is to get the building watertight and ready for an upper-level fit-out works.

The expected completion date is around December 2020 and all of the buyers are local residents from Camberwell.

KINGS VUE Construction at Kings Vue is progressing well with the basement floor now complete. We are a few weeks ahead of schedule and roughly three months into the construction phase. As you can see from the images shown, the concrete walls and blockwork to the basement will support the suspended slab to the ground floor. These townhouses are spacious, well-designed and functionality was on top of our list when we designed these homes.

CASTLE RISE Prior to this, we had an ‘off-market launch’ and delivered over 2000 direct mailers to Eaglemont residents which contained a letter and a postcard inviting them to participate in an exclusive pre-launch expression of interest stage of our Castle Rise project. Due to success of the first direct mailer, we scheduled another direct mailer which went out to the same area on 16 March 2020 as a ‘last call’ prior to our public launch in April 2020.

The first direct mail was successful, we received a number of enquiries which we are in the process of closing.

Features:

• Step free from external pathway and throughout with personal lift

• Wide doors and hallways designed to support ease of movement

• We are gearing up for the public launch of Castle Rise which is scheduled for April 2020. The brochure is ready to be sent to the printer and the website will go live in a week or two

KINGS RESERVE We have appointed an agency to work on our Kings Reserve branding which will commence around April 2020.

Watch this space as we reveal more updates about Kings Reserve, Balwyn.

PROJECT UPDATESProject Updates

Artists impression of sectional render