Perth's central business district is facing an unprecedented crisis as vacant shopfronts reach alarming levels while homelessness continues to surge throughout the city centre. The Property Council of WA has issued an urgent call for action, revealing disturbing data that paints a bleak picture of Australia's sunniest capital city.
Australia's Worst-Performing CBD
New figures from the Property Council of Australia's latest Office Market Report expose Perth as having the highest shop vacancy rate in the country at a staggering 25%. This troubling statistic places Western Australia's capital far ahead of other major cities, with Melbourne recording 17.4% and Sydney at 16.3%.
Sandra Brewer, the Property Council's WA executive director, didn't mince words when describing the situation. "We've got the worst-performing CBD in the country," she stated bluntly. The data reveals a city in serious decline, with empty shops becoming an increasingly common sight throughout what should be Western Australia's bustling economic heart.
Homelessness Crisis Compounds City's Woes
The commercial vacancy crisis is being compounded by a growing humanitarian concern. Homelessness has become increasingly visible throughout the CBD, creating complex challenges for businesses, residents, and visitors alike. Brewer emphasised that this isn't just a commercial issue but a social one that requires immediate attention.
"We need to be looking at how we can activate the city, how we can get more people living in the city, and how we can deal with some of the social issues that we're seeing," Brewer explained. The intersection of economic decline and social vulnerability has created a perfect storm that threatens Perth's long-term viability as a vibrant urban centre.
Call for Coordinated Action Plan
The Property Council is demanding a comprehensive response from multiple levels of government. Brewer stressed that both the state government and the City of Perth need to work together to implement effective solutions. The organisation has specifically called for activating empty buildings and addressing the social issues contributing to the city's deterioration.
"We need to be looking at how we can activate the city, how we can get more people living in the city," Brewer reiterated, highlighting the interconnected nature of the challenges. The council believes that increasing residential population in the CBD could help address both the commercial vacancy and social issues simultaneously.
The situation has reached a critical point where immediate intervention is required to prevent further decline. As Perth struggles with these dual crises, the call for coordinated action grows louder, with business leaders, community advocates, and residents all looking to government for leadership in revitalising Australia's western gateway.
