Property Council calls for policy reform and collaboration as capital city offices stand empty
Canberra’s central business district is experiencing persistent office vacancies, fluctuating pedestrian activity, and a limited residential population. In response, the Property Council of Australia has appealed for coordinated efforts among government, industry, and the community to address these issues.
The call for action was made during The Life of City: Reimagining Canberra event, which brought together economists, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss strategies for reinvigorating the city centre.
Ashlee Berry, executive director for ACT & Capital Region at the Property Council, noted that shifts in population, work habits, and economic pressures are influencing how the city centre is used.
“Our city centre must evolve,” she said. “People make places vibrant, and that means more people living, working and spending time in Civic. We need to look at all options, from more student and retirement accommodation to schools and more social infrastructure – to support the many people who want to live here.”
Berry (pictured right) suggested that changes to planning, zoning, building height regulations, and local taxation could be necessary to encourage investment in Civic. She highlighted the Lease Variation Charge as a potential tool for urban renewal if applied strategically. “Used well, it can be a lever for adaptive reuse, urban renewal and mixed-use development to bring life back into underused buildings,” she said.
“By modernising the system and rewarding projects that deliver public benefits, including through targeted remissions, we can make it easier to repurpose existing assets and attract the investment Civic needs.”
Berry also pointed to the potential for immediate improvements through temporary uses and precinct activation, suggesting that vacant spaces could host creative and community activities while longer-term projects are developed. “These activations pull people to the city, support businesses and help the case for investment,” she said.
“We should be honest about the story of Civic – what’s working, what isn’t – and then back the experiences that bring people in after five: culture, study, hospitality, events and safe night-time options alongside new homes.
“With the right policy settings and a genuine partnership approach, we can transform Civic into a place where people want to live, work, study and stay. Reimagining Civic isn’t about holding on to the past, it’s about having a clear vision for the future and finding a new rhythm for the city.”
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