Annual Report extract: A summary of our company’s initial response to the attack

No words can describe the devastation at what happened on 13 April 2024.

We recognise the brave and courageous actions of members of the public, first responders, NSW Police, our team members and business partners in their response.

A summary of our company’s response is below.

Immediate incident response

In the days following the devastating attack, Westfield Bondi was under the direction of NSW Police to allow critical investigation tasks to be completed. Our team provided full assistance to the NSW emergency services response and police investigation.

Many people witnessed and were impacted by the horrific events that unfolded. We worked with the NSW Government, local councils, local Members of Parliament and representatives of community organisations to provide support. Mental health and counselling services were made available to our customers, business partners’ team members and our people.

Supporting victims’ families and victims

We engaged with the victims’ families and those directly impacted to offer our support. This included working with, and through NSW Police-appointed Family Liaison Officers. Our over-riding principle was care and compassion.

Community Reflection Day

On Thursday 18 April 2024 we hosted a Community Reflection Day to support the broader community as we started the sensitive process of reopening Westfield Bondi. The centre was on ‘quiet time’ settings with no music or advertising screens and our business partners did not trade.

We established a memorial location on level 4 of the centre with six large floral wreaths and a condolence book. Thousands of people came to sign the condolence book. Counsellors were available in the centre to support members of the public as they visited.

Considered return to trade

On Friday 19 April 2024 – six days after the attack – Westfield Bondi re-opened, with some business partners
opting to re‑open over the following week.

Business partner rent was waived for the period from Saturday 13 April until Friday 19 April 2024 inclusive.

Specialists from our employee assistance provider, Assure provided briefings to store managers to support their employees as they returned to work. Mental health counsellors were available in centre for team members to speak with during this period.

Supporting our team

The impact of the attack on our Westfield Bondi team and all our employees has been significant. Our leadership team strongly encouraged all employees with a role in managing the response to participate in counselling through a dedicated Employee Assistance Program counsellor. Availability of counselling has been ongoing. Our broader workforce has been briefed on multiple occasions by our leaders including leadership team visits and town hall style forums at Westfield destinations and through a central Bondi Support Hub on our intranet.

Coronial inquest

We are providing our support to the NSW Coroner’s Bondi Junction Inquest which is scheduled to commence on 28 April 2025.

For more information: https://www.scentregroup.com/investors/annual-reporting-suite
2024 Annual Report, Scentre Group, page 1