In the first instalment of our blog series with Creating Communities, specialists in community development, social impact and engagement across several Peet communities, we explored how a new community grows from an idea into a place where people feel genuinely connected, supported and included. Read Behind the Scenes of Building Belonging here.
In our second instalment, we’re taking a closer look at how success is measured in a community.
For Peet and Creating Communities, success is measured by more than the number of homes built. It’s reflected in the relationships formed, the opportunities created, the wellbeing of our residents and the lasting sense of belonging that continues long after the final home is completed.
Starting with the endpoint in mind
One of the key principles that guides our approach to community development is having a clear vision of the desired outcome from the beginning.
That outcome is centred on creating social value, which is the lasting social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits created through a development. Success means creating places where people have the skills and confidence to live rich, fulfilling lives, feel connected to those around them, and invested in the future of their neighbourhood.
The aim of every Peet community is to create a sense of engagement and empowerment to shape the future of their neighbourhood, so that when the final lot is sold, the community continues to thrive for years to come.
Measuring what matters
Community development is often difficult to quantify, which is why Creating Communities has developed frameworks designed to measure social outcomes alongside more traditional measures of success.
One of these is the Social 9™ framework, which identifies the key elements that contribute to strong and resilient communities. Used alongside The Peet Community Way, Peet’s community engagement guide that outlines the goals and outputs identified across the eight stages of land development, the Social 9™ framework helps guide decisions and initiatives throughout the life of a development, ensuring community outcomes remain a focus from planning through to maturity.
Success is measured through a variety of indicators which include participation in events, workshops and community activities, resident engagement and feedback, and volunteer involvement and community leadership.
Together, these measures help demonstrate not just how people live in a community, but how connected and engaged they are.
From participation to long term impact
Creating Communities continues to evolve how social value is measured. Their recent work has focused on assigning tangible value to community-building initiatives by drawing on large, nationally representative datasets. This approach provides greater insight into the broader benefits generated through community development and supports evidence-based decision-making for future investment.
While these emerging approaches offer valuable insights, some of the strongest indicators of success can still be seen through community participation and leadership.
When residents begin organising activities, local groups take ownership of events, and community organisations step forward to lead initiatives, it signals a community that is becoming increasingly self-sustaining. In these moments, the role of Peet and Creating Communities shifts from leading to supporting, helping communities continue to sustain themselves into the future.
A community growing together
Brabham Estate in Western Australia offers a strong example of what long-term community investment can achieve.
Early in the development’s journey, Peet and Creating Communities established a quarterly stakeholder forum known as Brabham Connections, bringing together local schools, the City of Swan, community organisations, service providers and residents. The aim was to encourage communication, collaboration and shared ownership of the community’s future.
Listening to residents has also played a key role in Brabham’s growth. Through ongoing community conversations, engagement activities and comprehensive surveys conducted every two years, residents have been able to share their experiences, aspirations and concerns, helping to shape community initiatives and investment decisions.
Over time, these relationships, insights and partnerships have helped create a local network that actively contributes to community life. The impact can be seen through events such as Brabham’s 2026 NAIDOC celebration, which attracted 22 stallholders, including 19 First Nations organisations and businesses, and welcomed more than 300 attendees. Beyond attendance numbers, the event reflected growing stakeholder commitment and strong community engagement.
Local schools have also played an important role in the development of the community, becoming key partners in fostering connection and creating opportunities for residents to engage with one another.
Success that lasts
At Peet and Creating Communities, success isn’t measured by what happens during development alone. It’s measured by what remains long after.
It’s the neighbourly connections formed, the local groups created, the partnerships strengthened and the opportunities available to residents. It’s the confidence that a community can continue to grow, adapt and thrive well into the future.
Ultimately, creating places where people belong means building more than homes. It means creating lasting social value.
To learn more about Peet’s community impact, including our recognition as a Very Neighbourly Organisation, visit Community Partnerships, and explore Creating Communities to see how we build belonging across Peet communities.
