Latest news with #TAC
Herald Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
$20m upgrade for TAC HQ targets working parents, access, inclusion
Centuria Capital Group has revealed a $20m planning refurbishment of the TAC building at 60 Brougham St, Geelong. A school zone for working parents to bring their children before and after school is one of the new features a planned $20m upgrade will deliver for workers at Transport Accident Commission's Geelong headquarters. The property's owner, listed $20B real estate funds manager Centuria Capital Group, plans to refurbish the 60 Brougham St building, delivering a suite of new facilities to encourage people into the office, improve its environmental credentials and hopefully win a new lease after 2029. The additions include a gymnasium with an indoor sauna, a cold recovery room and multipurpose room for pilates or yoga; and end-of-trip facilities such as showers, 180 lockers and parking for 80 bicycles. RELATED: New FOMO pressure facing Geelong buyers From shop to shortcut: Laneway wins award Global second-hand fashion fave eyes big entry to Geelong Gender-neutral toilets, a multi-faith room for reflection or prayer, multiple parents rooms with private spaces including microwaves, changing areas, wet areas and various forms of seating are designed to foster inclusion, while the school zone will be fitted with televisions, reading areas and desks. The refurbishment will upgrade the 16-year-old facade by removing panel cladding and coloured boxes around windows; install a new entrance lobby, upgrade bathroom facilities on each floor, including new dedicating facilities for people with a disability; and add a ground floor business hub and meeting areas. Parents room are one of the new features designed to woo office workers, including updated bathrooms and new dedicating facilities for people with a disability on each floor. New facilities will include a sauna, gender-neutral bathrooms and a cold recovery room. More multipurpose spaces will allow for activities within the building. The dormant Corio St retail precinct will have new landscaping, seating and decking, while community gardens and event spaces will maximise other outdoor spaces, including barbecue facilities on the refreshed level five balcony. Head of funds management Jesse Curtis said Centuria wants to make the building 'best in class' and bring 'Park Hyatt luxury to Geelong', with full electrification and targeting a minimum 5.5-star NABERS rating, a 6-star Green Star rating and a WELL Gold rating. 'We've had numerous examples where we've been able to refurbish buildings and retain tenants, and they've been extremely happy and occupied our buildings for a very long period of time,' Mr Curtis said. An artist's render shows how the $20m upgrade would change the exterior of the building at 60 Brougham St, Geelong. End of trip facilities will include storage for 80 bicycles, showers and 180 lockers. The upgrade was planned for the past five years ago, but was delayed by Covid, he said. The refurbishment comes as the TAC considers its next building lease in Geelong when its current lease expires in 2029. While remaining at 60 Brougham St is one option, there's still competition including from approved multistorey office projects within Geelong's CBD. Centuria has a $7B office portfolio across Australia and New Zealand, which focuses on suburban and campus-style buildings, such as the TAC headquarters. The new spaces at TAC are part of a reworking of the building's floorplates to improve efficiency. Landscaping will include decking and seating to activate spaces outside the building. A new-look lobby would welcome people to the building. While there will be an additional business centre and meeting spaces on the ground floor. 'What we've seen across our portfolio – this is probably more general than specific to TAC – is people's use of space is changing,' Mr Curtis said. 'People aren't necessarily taking less space, they're just changing the way they use the space. 'So where we can create a one-stop shop, where you have a gym and different outdoor areas, communal spaces and the ability to collaborate in different ways, or bring that family and home life to be a little more flexible, we're starting to change the way we use our buildings right across our portfolio.' The project is still in planning phase, but work is expected to start in the second half of 2025. 'We're anticipating minimum disruption to our occupied during that period.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Terengganu police probe 25 cases in lucky draw scam, losses hit RM782,616
KUALA TERENGGANU: Police in Terengganu have launched 25 investigation papers linked to a fraudulent lucky draw scheme, with total losses estimated at RM782,616. The scam, active since January, misused a local bank's name to deceive victims. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin revealed that victims were lured via social media with links to download an APK file. Clicking these links either redirected users to fake websites or automatically installed malicious software. 'Once installed, the APK grants scammers full access to the victim's device. They can intercept TAC or OTP codes and manipulate banking or e-wallet apps,' he said. 'Unauthorised transactions then occur, often draining tens of thousands from accounts unnoticed.' Authorities are collaborating with banks and Bank Negara Malaysia to track transactions and identify mule account holders. Mohd Khairi urged the public to remain cautious of suspicious online offers. 'Always verify links through official bank channels before clicking. Never share OTP details, and report scams immediately via CCID at 997 or the portal he advised.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Iran seeks stronger economic ties with Malaysia, Asean
KUALA LUMPUR: Iran is keen to enhance its economic cooperation with Malaysia and other Asean countries. Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi described Asean as a vital partner for trade and development. He said Iran views the region not only as strategic, but also as a potential hub for mutual investment and technology exchange. "We have very good relations with all Asean countries. "Iran is a signatory to the Asean Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and we fully support any initiative that expands our economic ties with this region." Iran joined the TAC in 2016, a framework guiding relations between Asean and partner nations. He added that Iran is committed to regional peace and stability, and seeks to deepen mutually beneficial trade ties. "We want to work closely with Malaysia, especially since it holds the Asean chairmanship. "Through Malaysia, we can build a stronger cooperation with the rest of Asean," he said. Valiollah added that Iran is open to explore collaboration in sectors such as energy, agriculture, medicine, and technology. The ambassador also expressed appreciation for Malaysia's balanced stance on international issues, including its support for dialogue and diplomacy amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, he assured, would not impact Tehran's relations with Southeast Asia.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kyrgyz Republic-Malaysia ties reach new high, set for deeper cooperation
PUTRAJAYA: Kyrgyz Republic is committed to deepening comprehensive cooperation with Malaysia and advancing their partnership to the next level, President Sadyr Zhaparov said Wednesday. He said bilateral relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia are now at an all-time high, further strengthened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Bishkek in May 2024. Speaking at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Anwar following their meeting during his two-day official visit, Zhaparov said they had held productive discussions on a wide range of issues as both sides look to elevate bilateral cooperation. 'Our meeting has reached fruitful negotiation, strengthened the friendship, and paving way for mutually beneficial projects between both countries,' he said. He said the meeting today witnessed the signing of several important documents, demonstrating commitments by both countries to enhance cooperation in politics, trade, and investment as well as cultural and people-to-people relations. Zhaparov said the Kyrgyz Republic, located in the heart of Central Asia, offers unique opportunities for Malaysian investors, especially in energy, green technology, tourism, agriculture, the digital economy, and banking. He also invited Malaysian investors to invest in energy projects, noting that with the country's electricity being 90 per cent generated by hydropower, it offers vast potential for sustainable and strategic green energy cooperation. The President also expressed interest in expanding academic exchanges and joint programmes with Malaysia. He also proposed increasing inter-parliamentary dialogue to strengthen institutional cooperation between both countries. Meanwhile, a joint statement released following the meeting noted that Zhaparov reiterated the Kyrgyz Republic's full support for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Both leaders discussed the possibility of the Kyrgyz Republic acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia. They also acknowledged the progress status of the proposed 'ASEAN + Central Asia' format, which is under review by ASEAN Member States. In 2024, the Kyrgyz Republic was Malaysia's fourth-largest trading partner among Central Asian countries, with total bilateral trade valued at RM40 million (US$8.74 million). Malaysia's main exports to the Kyrgyz Republic included electrical and electronic products, palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, machinery, equipment, and parts. Its key imports from the Kyrgyz Republic comprised chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products, and processed food. Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic established diplomatic relations on May 21, 1992, after it gained independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Morocco World
24-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ASEAN Secretary-General Expresses ‘Indefectible' Support for Morocco's Sovereignty
Marrakech – The Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, expressed his 'indefectible' support for Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity during his visit to Rabat on Tuesday. This position was documented in a joint statement released after his meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. During their meeting, both officials reaffirmed 'their unwavering support for the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of UN member states, including ASEAN member states and Morocco, as well as non-interference in internal affairs and peaceful settlement of disputes.' Kao, who is making his first visit to Morocco and Africa, also praised the leadership of King Mohammed VI for promoting the North African country's socio-economic development and voiced appreciation for the monarch's initiatives for the continent. He specifically noted with admiration the Atlantic initiatives launched by the Moroccan sovereign, including the Initiative to provide Atlantic Ocean access to Sahel states, the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline, and the Initiative of Atlantic African States. In this regard, Morocco's Dakhla Atlantic Port project, scheduled to be operational by 2029, aims to provide the landlocked countries with improved maritime access to global markets and serves as a cornerstone of this strategy. As part of the same vision, the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline is a proposed $25 billion project to transport natural gas from Nigeria to Morocco and potentially onward to Europe. Spanning over 6,000 kilometers and connecting 13 countries along the Atlantic coast, the pipeline is expected to supply energy to approximately 400 million people across West Africa. The ASEAN Secretary-General commended Morocco's major socio-economic and infrastructure advances and successful reforms. He pointed out that 'Morocco's numerous assets make it an attractive platform for trade and investment from ASEAN governments and business communities.' Bourita stressed that strengthening relations between Rabat and ASEAN is part of King Mohammed VI's strategic vision to diversify Morocco's partners and promote strong, supportive South-South cooperation. He reiterated Morocco's readiness to support and collaborate with ASEAN in numerous sectors through a win-win approach, both with the organization and all its member states. The Foreign Minister thanked Kao and, through him, the member states of ASEAN, for their support of Morocco's obtaining sectoral dialogue partner status with ASEAN in September 2023. Both officials welcomed the second meeting of the ASEAN-Morocco Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (AM-JSCC) held in Jakarta on November 27, 2024, with the third session scheduled for November 2025. They drew attention to the importance of training programs offered by the Moroccan Institute for Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED) to diplomats from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat. They also recognized the fruitful cooperation programs between ASEAN member states and Morocco through the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) for ASEAN member states and African countries. Kao and Bourita agreed that Morocco offers an important gateway to Africa for ASEAN member states, while ASEAN represents a real opportunity for Morocco to develop and open up to increased economic cooperation with the region in particular and with Asia as a whole. The ASEAN Secretary-General is making a working visit to Morocco from June 24 to 26 at Bourita's invitation. Founded in 1967, the regional organization comprises 10 Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei-Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
