Melbourne revival ‘won’t happen overnight’

It is expected more and more workers will be returning to Melbourne’s CBD over the coming weeks, but the city’s full revival could take some time.

Businesses in Melbourne’s CBD have been warned the city won’t be returning to its former glory overnight, as the first week of workers returning to the city draws to a close.

The city was noticeably busier this week after the state government’s work from home recommendation was lifted, opening the floodgates for workers to return to the office in their droves.

The government also lifted the requirement for masks to be worn in most indoor spaces, seen as an encouragement for office workers.

While business groups hope the new settings will help bring people back to the city, Victoria’s Tourism Minister, Martin Pakula, said this week Melbourne’s revival won’t happen overnight.

Melbourne foot traffic has risen slowly in the past week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Paul Jeffers

“I think it’ll start at about three days a week and will grow from there, but it won’t all happen overnight,” he told 3aw.

“Ultimately, the CBD might settle at sort of 70 to 75 per cent of where it was pre-pandemic.

“Clearly the foot traffic is a lot better than it was a month ago, but we should be making it easier for people to come back to the office.”

Victoria’s Tourism Minister, Martin Pakula, says Melbourne’s revival won’t happen overnight.

Foot traffic in the city fell to near lockdown levels at the height of the Omicron wave but data this week showed a significant increase in foot traffic.

Data from the City of Melbourne showed there had been, on average, a near-30 per cent increase in commuter numbers passing through Melbourne’s railway stations.

“It is a big stride forward, literally, for the future of our city and we say thank you to everyone who’s come in on a Monday to return to their city workplaces,” Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

“We understand that health and safety must remain a priority but we can see now that there’s definitely a shift for our Covid caution to Covid confidence.”

The City of Melbourne council has been recording foot traffic this week amid the return to the office. Picture: Mark Stewart

The state government has been working with businesses on a Melbourne money scheme that provides restaurant subsidies for meals as a way to draw people back into the city.

Mr Pakula ruled out bringing in free public transport for the state.

Asked whether the government would push for more public sector workers to work more days in the city, he said talks were underway between different departments.

“Public service will be having those discussions with each agency about what they expect and require of each department and their workforce,” he said.

“It’s been made pretty clear that three days a week in the office is a starting point and that’s where that has begun.”