Workers encouraged to return to the CBD

Property Council WA is continuing to encourage employers to allow their WA staff to return to working in their offices in central Perth to support city businesses.

The pandemic resulted in hundreds of hospitality and retail businesses closing their doors as governments around the country encouraged people to work from home.

However WA’s health advice, that there has been no community transmission of COVID-19 in WA and that public transport is safe, has prompted a call for a campaign for companies to encourage their staff to return to city offices to support the CBD economy.

Premier Mark McGowan said new initiatives in the State Government’s $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan were designed to get as many projects and as much activity under way as possible.

“Our priority now is getting people back to work, keeping businesses sustainable and making sure that our economy recovers,” Mr McGowan said at the WA Recovery Plan launch.

Property Council WA said office occupancy rates have risen from lows of 25 per cent in June to closer to per cent. However, the State Government’s focus on extra cleaning of public transport had made it safer to travel to work. Office tower owners had put extra care into cleaning, spacing at entry and lift points and a strong focus on hand hygiene.

Property Council WA Executive Director Sandra Brewer said given the extra safety measures, it was time for companies with Perth-based workforces to allow staff to return to the city to support a thriving centre and support a CBD recovery.