Occupancy rates in the Perth CBD have increased to 65 per cent compared with pre-COVID levels, the highest level since public health measures eased in April, according to the latest Property Council of Australia occupancy data.
The survey results found that only Perth CBD and Melbourne CBD saw an increase in occupancy levels compared with pre-COVID levels, from the previous months data.
Property Council WA Executive Director Sandra Brewer said it was pleasing to see occupancy levels within the Perth CBD increase, clearly showing that the easing of restrictions, the strong push by state government to get workers to return to the office, combined with campaigns aimed to entice people back into the CBD had worked, with more workers returning to their offices and more people visiting the CBD.
“Occupancy levels reaching 65 per cent this month show the Perth CBD is on a healthy path back to reaching pre-COVID levels as Perth continues to see an increase in office occupancy since recording the lowest level of 45 per cent in March 2022, during the height of restrictions and the Omicron outbreak,” Ms Brewer said.
“Campaigns which have focused on increasing activity in the CBD, such as the Property Council’s CBD VIP, which launched in May and saw the state and local government combine with private property owners to incentivise CBD visitation, the City of Perth’s Bounce Back program and State government grants, have played a vital part in driving people back into the CBD,” she said.
“Bringing the Perth CBD to levels of pre-pandemic vibrancy will require more than one or two campaigns, but what CBD VIP and other programs have demonstrated is that all CBD stakeholders are willing to play their part in revitalising the CBD.
“There is a clear desire for a shared effort to encourage a strong CBD return and the data tells us that more people are taking the opportunity to embrace the benefits offered by being in the office and enjoying the renewed vibrancy of the CBD,” she said.
“Continued investment in creating a thriving Perth CBD is essential to ensure that workers continue to attend their offices and the hustle and bustle of our capital city is maintained to entice visitors in,” Ms Brewer concluded.
Media contact: Megan Lack | M 0449252380 | E [email protected]