Our Approach
GPT is committed to behaving ethically and operating in a manner that addresses economic, societal and environmental issues.
Our heritage of this approach goes back to the legacy of our founder, CJ “Dick” Dusseldorp.
Dusseldorp believed that a community of interest existed between investors, employees, management, clients and the community. He recognised the importance of GPT sharing its success and playing a role in helping address issues of community concern.
More than 40 years on, Dusseldorp’s values are still very much aligned to our priorities as an organisation and our stated purpose:
GPT strives to create environments where everyone has the opportunity to connect and prosper. To do this, we engage on and respond to community challenges on multiple levels:
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At a societal level, we know that our most effective contributions are made through aligning our objectives as a business to our contributions to the community;
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Through the GPT Foundation we engage on issues of national significance, including child wellbeing, youth homelessness and mental health.
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At a local level, we’re focused on helping to build the capacity of communities in which we operate. We seek to create inclusive places that support the wellbeing and resilience of that community, and that facilitate social connection and cohesion. See Our Activities to read about examples of local initiatives and programs.
We believe that everyone has the right to fair treatment and equality of opportunity. We want our assets to be welcoming environments that provide opportunities for social connection, embrace diversity and that are safe and accessible for anyone. This is underpinned by respect for the rights and voices of all members of the community.
To create the most impact, GPT has carried out research into the needs of its communities and has identified key areas of focus which are:
INCLUSIVITY
For GPT, inclusivity means supporting community partners, programs and services which help connect people and provide opportunities for those who are more vulnerable, currently excluded from society or disadvantaged. This involves developing or supporting programs that actively tackle pressing issues such as youth homelessness and mental health.
Promoting social inclusion includes facilitating community access to GPT’s assets, and providing safe places for people of all ages, and cultural backgrounds.
See Our Activities for examples of GPT’s activities that promote social inclusion.
WELLBEING
GPT contributes to the health and wellbeing of the community by:
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Helping tackle societal challenges (such as mental health and obesity) by supporting our national community partners and helping raise awareness about healthy eating, active lifestyles, mindfulness and mental health support services;
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The creation and support of local initiatives that promote wellbeing behaviours that actively improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.
See Our Activities for examples of health and wellbeing programs.
GPT is in the business of developing and operating great places to shop, work, visit and interact. Our buildings cater to the diverse needs of the communities that they serve and provide social, meeting and gathering places. We have articulated our commitment to this in GPT’s Community Engagement & Development Policy
As outlined in GPT’s 2021 Sustainability Report, we recognise the ambition and importance of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “to achieve a better future for all”. GPT is committed to taking action to advance the Goals and throughout our Sustainability Report we provide case studies and examples of our efforts to lead, collaborate and participate in initiatives that challenge how we do things and provide innovation in our business practices and operations. We have identified four priority SDGs as the most relevant to our business and stakeholders, and where we can have the most impact:
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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 13: Climate Action
Sustainable Community Investment
GPT focuses on creating measurable economic benefit and improving the social and environmental conditions of the communities where we operate. To ensure GPT generates both value for its business and society, we look for new and innovative ways to engage with communities around our assets, in order to tackle key social issues. This is about moving beyond philanthropy and corporate social responsibility and being more strategic, thinking simultaneously about GPT’s business interests and our capacity to contribute to positive and lasting societal change.
Embracing this approach that drives both business and societal value has been critical to our overall economic success. It enables GPT to make long-term commitments and has positioned us at the forefront of emerging community challenges and opportunities.
GPT’s investment in the community takes many different forms:
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Directly through the properties we own and manage where we seek to build relationships with the local communities where we operate.
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Indirectly through the establishment of two-way partnerships that support key societal issues at both the national and local level, particularly through the GPT Foundation; and
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Working together with other property companies and with the Property Council of Australia.
The investments GPT makes are not just financial, but includes sharing the time, skills and expertise of our people and other resources including space at our assets.
We are committed to building our knowledge and skills to continuously improve on our delivery, measurement frameworks and performance.
Partnering with GPT
If you are interested in partnering with GPT, please read GPT’s Sponsorship and Community Partnership Guidelines that detail our evaluation and selection criteria, and the process to apply.
For all enquiries, please email Foundation@gpt.com.au.