ACT Executive Director, Adina Cirson has said the Property Council of Australia's latest Office Market Report shows vacancy rates have remained steady over the past six months in the Canberra market, with the commercial leasing sector remaining confident that the market will hold steady overall, despite demand dipping into the negative.
"Over the last six months to July 2019, Canberra's overall vacancy rate remained steady at 11 per cent well below where the vacancy rate sat 18 months ago at 13.3 per cent, with negative demand offset by withdrawals," Ms Cirson said.
"Overall our office market vacancy rates are third lowest behind Melbourne and Sydney CBD markets, with our with the hottest properties being prime office product, highlighting the private sector demand for office environments that assist in staff retention by creating attractive workplaces for staff."
A Grade vacancy has decreased significantly over the last 12 months from 8.6 per cent - now sitting at 5 per cent - with B Grade stock recording a slight bump up from 12.1 to 12.4 per cent, over the last six months. The vacancy rate in Civic decreased from 12.5 per cent to 12 per cent due to 3,251sqm of net absorption.
"With over 50 per cent of ACT office market tenanted by the Commonwealth Government, absorption can often be a little slower in a Federal Election year, however there seems to be a continuation for the Commonwealth to seek efficiencies through their leasing strategy. We know the Commonwealth will continue to seek occupational density targets, by reducing 'empty desk space' with some 11,000 desks currently across their tenancies. Improving fit outs and incentives before locking in longer term leases will be a goal - meaning the next 12 months will continue to be busy," Ms Cirson said.
"We have once again seen a vacancy increase in C Grade office stock, now sitting at over 20 per cent, reminding us of the importance of strategic planning and creating an environment where building owners are better able to refurbish or undertake adaptive re-use for tired office stock.
"Unfortunately with the pain being felt from tax reform being undertaken by the government, commercial building owners are struggling to find the funds to re-invest in their buildings - with commercial rates having doubled since the commencement of tax reform, rising another 6 per cent this year, and now more than 9 times more than residential rates," Ms Cirson said.
"We will continue to engage with the ACT Government on how we can reduce the disproportionate impact commercial rates increases are having on investment in the Capital and seek to create greater certainty about where commercial rates are headed as they commence a mid point review in the 20 year reform agenda," Ms Cirson concluded.
To view select Office Market Report data series, visit the Property Council's Data Room
