As we edge towards the festive season, the capital cities of Australia are not the same bustling places as they were a year ago. However, it’s fair to say cities are gradually picking up the pace with Australians returning to their CBD office workplaces in greater numbers according to the latest survey of CBD office occupancy by the Property Council of Australia.
All CBD markets except Melbourne saw increases in office occupancy during October with Perth, Canberra and Brisbane recording the largest increases compared to the previous month, as well as an encouraging increase in Sydney.
Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison said, “This is encouraging news for the Australian economy given the critical role of CBD-based businesses in supporting jobs and economic activity, including for all of those businesses which depend on CBD workforces for their viability.
“The successful suppression of community transmission of COVID-19 across Australia means more Australians can more confidently return to COVID-safe offices in their CBD.
“There is clearly scope for more people to return in every city, and it will be vital for the Victorian Government to allow workers to return to the Melbourne CBD as an early element of its easing of restrictions,” Mr Morrison said.
The survey saw a drop in government public health restrictions being the main reason affecting the current level of CBD occupancy, with public transport concerns and workplace safety concerns now being more influential reasons.
The survey also found an increase in the number of office building owners and managers who expected more people to return to their offices within the next 1-2 months.
|
CBD |
October 2020 |
September 2020 |
|
Adelaide |
73% |
67% |
|
Brisbane |
61% |
52% |
|
Canberra |
63% |
46% |
|
Darwin |
73% |
70% |
|
Hobart |
79% |
78% |
|
Melbourne |
7% |
8% |
|
Perth |
77% |
63% |
|
Sydney |
40% |
35% |
Survey results are based on responses from 102 Property Council members who collectively own or manage the majority of CBD office buildings.