Shared work spaces proving popular in northern NSW in wake of life-changing Covid pandemic

Workers stuck in a rut toiling away at home are taking to shared office spaces. Here’s why the concept is booming in northern NSW.

Coffs Harbour workspace operators Tim Helmy and Ben Taranto, and remote worker Summa Fredrericks.

One of many lasting effects of the Covid pandemic has been the rise of working from home and some businesses have deemed leasing commercial office space as an unnecessary expense.

It’s led to a shared work space boom – allowing individuals and organisations to hire a place, and sometimes just a single desk, to meet their needs.

Tim Helmy said he launched Genius Loves Company, a shared office at Coffs Harbour in the north of the state, to provide a social space for workers from all walks of life.

“We need interaction and crave energy from humans,” he said.

Tim Helmy launched his shared office in Coffs Harbour to encourage the community to come together to boost productivity. Picture: Matt Gazy

Mr Helmy said the popularity of the shared spaces in Coffs Harbour, like many regional areas, had lagged behind cities like Sydney and locales like Byron Bay, but that was changing.

He said the shared office model “flips commercial spaces on its head”.

“It provides an inclusive space away from corporation and hierarchy,” he said.

But one drawback to shared office spaces can be the price.

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Securing a space is often more expensive in the long run when compared to a long-term lease agreement for a property.

Mr Helmy said he believed that was offset by better amenities, events and increased productivity.

Research by The Australian Productivity Commission, prompted by the pandemic, has revealed “many jobs can be effectively done from home”

The shared office space allows members of the community with different jobs and backgrounds to come together to share ideas – or escape suburban noise. Picture: Genius Loves Company

The commission found attitudes towards remote working have shifted, with many Australian’s claiming they can work as productively or better when away from the traditional office.

Some workers place such high value on remote arrangements they are willing to switch careers or accept lower wages, the commission found.

Coffs Harbour’s Ben Taranto said his shared workspace Fyrside Arts symbolised a movement away from “institution”.

Ben Taranto said shared spaces symbolise a movement away from institution. Picture: Matt Gazy

“The (traditional) system is designed to put people in boxes – ‘work from your box and don’t talk to people’,” he said.

Mr Taranto said artists and creatives were “everywhere” in Coffs Harbour, as is similar in locations nationwide, and they craved collaboration with like-minded individuals.

He said he believed “pushing back against the isolating system” would result in better and more efficient work.

Summa Fredrericks said Coffs Harbour needs more shared offices for business owners, workers and creatives to collaborate in. Picture: Matt Gazy

But Mr Taranto worried younger people were gradually losing social skills.

“The next gen’ that come out of school aren‘t challenged to socialise, which is causing social anxiety,” he said.

Worker Summa Fredrericks said Coffs Harbour was “screaming out” for more shared offices, with many sole-business owners and creatives seeking a place to share ideas.

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“We need co-working for generating ideas or just bouncing off other people,” she said.

Global workspace provider Regus states its research shows shared workspaces will increase Australia’s economic output by $122 billion by 2030.

In stark contrast to a boring office, Genius Loves Company is littered with plants and eclectic decor. Picture: Matt Gazy

“The value will be delivered by reduced operating costs for businesses as less office space is needed for companies using flexible workspace, improved staff productivity, as well as the 56.5 million hours of travel time saved for workers who are expected to commute less,” the report said.

Sole business owner Kelly Fitzgerald said she was less productive from home and enjoyed the social interactions in shared spaces.

“It’s great to get out of the house and build relationships – networking is so important,” she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said Covid shifted how people viewed work and prompted them to recognise they were not confined to their home or traditional office.