Centuria Property Funds have welcomed a new senior facilities manager who will take on responsibility for the company’s new investment property, 8 Central Avenue, Australian Technology Park.

The company’s recently acquired 50% stake in the property – which includes the Channel Seven building – was largely funded by self-managed superfund trustees, who make up approximately 80% of investments in Centuria’s unlisted property funds.

As of this week, Grant McFarlane is responsible for overseeing all facility management and operational matters for this property, among others.

“We’re pleased to welcome Grant to the Centuria team. Given Grant’s breadth of expertise in facilities management and his prior experience on 8 Central Avenue, his appointment was a natural choice for us,” CEO of Centuria Property Funds, Jason Huljich said.

“The appointment of a dedicated facilities manager to manage 8 Central Avenue is aligned with Centuria’s commitment to ensuring the maintenance and improvements of assets within our portfolio. It also represents our continued strategic focus on acquiring and managing quality properties in proximity to and within CBD areas.”

Huljich says SMSFs play an increasingly significant role in raising capital for funds such as this.

“SMSFs are a really important company source, and we believe we provide good benefits for trustees too,” he said.

This involves yearly income from rental flows, as well as total returns generated by the sale of the property after 5-7 years.