This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
STOCKLAND is the first Australian property group to be awarded a WELL Health-Safety Rating in the retail sector, after the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) recognised eight of its centres.
Stockland has achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating – an initiative of the IWBI – for its town centres at Hervey Bay, Birtinya and Baringa in Queensland, Forster, Balgowlah and Nowra in NSW, Wendouree in Victoria and Baldivis in WA.
“Stockland wanted to adopt a world leading approach to wellness so that customers visiting our centres and people working within them knew they were occupying an environment that promotes their health and wellbeing,” said Michelle Abbey, executive general manager of town centres at Stockland.
The rating was awarded after the group instituted a range of strategies that support the health and wellbeing of customers, visitors and retail staff alike.
“There is a community expectation that our centres comply with high safety and environmental standards, particularly in the wake of COVID and significant weather events,” added Abbey.
“Some of the strategies we have implemented are visible – like keeping spaces clean and sanitised – while others less so, like having best practice emergency procedures in place and ensuring we have high quality clean air and water supplied within our buildings.”
To reach its health, safety and wellbeing targets Stockland appointed and worked collaboratively with contractors, consultants, facilities managers and retailers at each centre.
“Congratulations to Stockland for achieving the WELL Health-Safety Rating for eight retail centres,” said Jessica Cooper, chief product officer at IWBI.
“With people at the heart of places it creates, Stockland leads by example in delivering connected communities and prioritising the health and safety of shoppers, retail staff and customers. We are proud to celebrate Stockland’s latest WELL achievement,” said Cooper.
This latest achievement comes after the group received WELL Health-Safety Ratings for its offices and tenancies at Stockland Piccadilly in NSW, Durack Centre in WA and at its Stockland Melbourne and Brisbane head offices.
“The certification of our centres with the WELL Health-Safety Rating is a testament to our belief that space has the power to help people thrive, and aligns with our core values and purpose, ‘we believe there is a better way to live’,” concluded Abbey.
