Adelaide CBD making fast recovery from Covid shutdowns

Office occupancy within the Adelaide CBD is the highest of any capital city, as businesses experience activity not seen since the start of the pandemic 18 months ago. See the figures.

Economic activity within the Adelaide CBD is reaching levels not seen since before the start of the pandemic over two years ago.

Pedestrian sensors in key thoroughfares have recorded dramatically increased foot traffic while occupancy levels of office buildings are the highest in the country.

Adelaide City Council has confirmed Rundle Mall, Hindley St, Rundle St and the Adelaide Central Market have experienced increased visitation of up to 30 per cent compared to previous months.

Data also showed on-street and off-street parking in the CBD steadily increasing each month since February while public transport usage has started returning to pre-pandemic levels.

This followed the decision in late March to ease most restrictions, including the wearing of face masks within shops, supermarkets, bars, restaurants and other public places.

Other restrictions removed included the use of QR codes, caps on gatherings and density restrictions within hospitality venues.

Property Council of Australia SA executive director Daniel Gannon. Picture: Sam Wundke

Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon said latest research showed Adelaide had the highest level of office occupancy of any capital city.

Mr Gannon said it was sitting at almost 70 per cent, compared to 15 per cent in January.

“In December, occupancy levels slumped as South Australia’s borders reopened to the world,” he said.

“In four short months, it has increased by more than 450 per cent.”

Mr Gannon said Adelaide’s occupancy levels were well ahead of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane.

“While this significant increase in Adelaide was coming off an Omicron-induced low, this is a nation-leading result,” he said.

“It suggests that South Australians are learning to live with Covid given relatively high daily infection rates and home isolation numbers.”

Mr Gannon said while the occupancy level in the CBD was rising, more office workers still needed to return to ensure its ongoing economic recovery.

“While most businesses are encouraging some flexible working arrangements with their staff, there are huge benefits in personal connection and it’s good to see these being embraced in local workplaces,” he said.

“However, these figures are still some way off pre-pandemic levels.

“We need to see more workers returning to the office to help save businesses and jobs.”

Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon and Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor during an event to get people back into the city. Picture: Colin James

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said the council had invested $20m in trying to help the CBD manage the economic impact of the pandemic.

“After two challenging years of Covid-19 impacts, the city is bouncing back with foot traffic across the city now higher than it was at the end of last year,” she said.

“This was boosted by a successful festival season, and the return of workers to the city.”

Ms Verschoor said the city was making good progress before the Omicron outbreak in January caused a setback.

“Now, when I move around the city, I see line ups down the street at popular eateries, the shops in Rundle Mall are busy and our streets are buzzing with activity again,” she said.

“Council will continue to do everything we can to support our city businesses and attract people to the city.”

This included providing 8260 vouchers for discounted meals at restaurants in the CBD and North Adelaide, generating spending of $400,000.

East End restaurant co-owner Frank Hannon-Tan with fellow city operators George Kasimatis (George’s on Waymouth) and Maria Favaro (Chianti) during the Covid lockdowns. Picture: Mike Burton

Amalfi Restaurant co-owner Frank Hannon-Tan said the vouchers had been a “great incentive”.

“They’ve been encouraging people to leave the suburbs to return to the city,” he said.

“I also think it’s getting to the stage where people have missed being social in the city and they want to go out and grab some lunch or dinner and have a drink.

“A big factor for us has been more people staying in the hotels in the city, especially after Easter we’ve had a lot of tourists and people in town on business.”

Rundle Place centre manager Mandy Beresford agreed, saying the easing of Covid restrictions during “Mad March” had encouraged workers to return to the CBD while giving shoppers and visitors more confidence to spend time in the city.

“We expect this momentum will increase further in the coming months, particularly as city businesses further refine their preferred model of working and more international students return to university,” she said.

Alexandra’s Lingerie owner Alexandra Vaissiere in her Adelaide Arcade store. Picture: Matt Loxton

Adelaide Arcade general manager Andrew Jonats said business had improved significantly since the removal of masks.

“(The foot traffic) is certainly getting close to pre-Covid times,” he said.

“Now, we are seeing a lot more tourists back and a lot more students.

“Not only international students, but local students are out and about more, which is fantastic.”

Adelaide Arcade business owner Alexandra Vaissiere said her lingerie shop, Alexandra’s Lingerie, had seen an increase in sales.

“Especially around Easter, I noticed people from interstate and overseas coming to visit so we definitely had more traffic,” she said,

“I opened a bigger store six months ago, and I can see an improvement (in sales). I can’t complain, so far so good,”

Have You Met Charlie assistant manager Jordan Bishop said she had noticed an influx of people since the scrapping of face masks.

“People are a lot more comfortable and relaxed to come out and be in crowds,” she said,

“Every time I’ve walked out to Rundle Mall, it’s busy. Especially Friday nights and Saturdays.”

Adelaide Arcade general manager Andrew Jonats at its Rundle Mall entrance. Picture: Emma Brasier

Retailers on Rundle St in the East End also reported an increase in foot traffic.

AS Colour manager Torehn Lobow said business had been steady since the festival season in March.

“That’s really brought people back into the city,” he said.

“The last school holidays we saw a big increase in interstate travellers and first time interstate travellers.

“It’s been really good. A lot of first-time visitors to Adelaide are really bringing in the people.”

Dangerfield clothing shop manager Chloe Clinton said Rundle St was “definitely picking back up to what it was before”.

Prominent East End landlord Steve Maras said there were more people out on Rundle St “than ever before.”

“There’s definitely been a pick-up in business, no question about that,” he said,

“The demand for retailers coming to Rundle Street has been strong.

“It’s the best it’s been in a long time.”