TITLE: DFO Essendon to provide access for the community to pay their respects

DFO Essendon to provide access for the community from 12 noon tomorrow to pay their respects following Tuesday's tragic accident

The centre will reopen for customers at 10am Monday 27 February

CEO and Managing Director for Vicinity Centres, Mr Angus McNaughton today said a dedicated area would be set up outside the DFO Essendon Homemaker Centre from 12pm on Friday 24 February for those who would like to pay their respects after Tuesday's tragic accident.

The centre will reopen for customers at 10am on Monday 27 February.

Mr McNaughton said: 'We have this afternoon confirmed that we are able to reopen DFO Essendon following consultation with authorities, including the Commonwealth's independent statutory body, the Airport Building Controller (ABC), engineers and other experts. Out of respect for those who lost their lives and their families, we have made the decision not to reopen the centre until Monday morning. This allows our community the opportunity to pay their respects at the site.

'We understand that our community, team members and retailers may like to reflect and acknowledge those who have lost their lives.

'On behalf of everyone at Vicinity Centres, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families.

'Our focus continues to be the wellbeing of the community, our retailers and our people, and we will continue to provide ongoing support for those team members who need it,' Mr McNaughton said.

Counselling will continue to be available on-site for DFO Essendon team members and retailers next week.

Mr McNaughton said: 'Our retailers will also be provided access from 12pm on Friday 24 February, in preparation for the reopening of the centre on Monday.

'There are 12 stores in the Homemaker Centre that will not reopen on Monday - one retail store that sustained damage as a result of the accident and 11 adjacent retailers that are currently without power.'

The entrance to DFO Essendon and the Bulla Road entry ramp inbound will reopen at 12pm on Friday 24 February. Visitors to the centre should refer to www.traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au for traffic information updates.

We will continue to provide further updates to our retailers and our customers. For latest news and updates, visit the DFO Essendon website at www.dfo.com.au.

See DFO Essendon map

For further information please contact:

Kat Rellos
+61 411 245 099
katherine.rellos@vicinity.com.au

Ali O'Shea
+61 427 373 857
ali.o'shea@vicinity.com.au