When the leading owner and operator of retirement villages put its Western Australia portfolio up for sale last September, speculation rose why it needed the money.
Now Keyton has increased its debt facilities to $1.3 billion with a significant proportion comprising a green loan with the 1,568 independent living units and 71 independent living apartments in Western Australia still on the market.
The green loan is said to be the retirement living sector’s first and comes after Keyton’s commitment to ensure all development projects are meeting a minimum NatHERS rating of 7.5 (above the National Construction Code minimum requirement) or Green Star Buildings rating of 5 stars, and to refurbish the existing 75-village portfolio to improve energy efficiency and climate resilience.
Keyton Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Cockerill said: “It supports the actions we’re taking to reduce our impact on the environment across our operations. For example, we don’t install gas heating systems in our new developments, we use more efficient electric alternatives, and where appropriate, central systems for greater energy efficiency. Keyton’s new development standards include improved insulation, higher performance windows, four-to-five-star efficient appliances, and on-site EV charging.
“Where possible, the materials used in our latest developments come from sustainable or recycled sources and use less harmful chemicals,” he added.
David Jenkins, Head of Sustainable Finance at NAB, and Charles Davis, Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Finance and ESG at Commonwealth Bank, who said it had supported a Green Loan tranche within Keyton’s financing, said Keyton is setting a positive example in the retirement sector.
Keyton’s newest venture Sunrise Beach Village, 4km from Noosa on Qld’s Sunshine Coast, will open later this year. The second stage of Australia's first vertical retirement community built within a racecourse precinct; Poinciana House, will open imminently. It is also expanding The Grove Ngunnawal retirement village in he ACT.
Browse Keyton’s retirement villages on the #1 listings website village.com.au
