Google mobility data shows shoppers and workers avoiding the Brisbane CBD

Shocking new data has revealed the devastating combination of factors that experts say could ultimately force the face of Brisbane’s CBD to change forever, if the conditions created by the Covid-19 pandemic persist for much longer.

An empty Eagle Street Pier in the Brisbane CBD in early January. Picture: Liam Kidston

STAFF shortages, a lack of stock and office workers staying home because of the latest Covid-19 variant, Omicron, has created a perfect storm for city-based firms, new Google data reveals.

The number of people at workplaces and at retail stores and recreational venues in Brisbane city is well down on pre-pandemic levels – 15 per cent and 21 per cent respectively – according to January data collated by Google, which tracks movement through apps such as Google Maps.

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver said Covid-19 had accelerated the shift from working in a CBD office five days a week to two to or three days.

“The economic impact the first time we had lockdown in March 2020 was huge,” he said.

“By this time businesses and households have found better ways to do things.

“With each wave more and more people adjust to not going into the CBD and it becomes more of a structural change rather than a temporary change.

“We have got to this point because technology has allowed us to. It was always going to happen but it may have taken a decade or more. Now because of Covid it’s taken a couple of years.”

Dr Oliver said he expected in the long run that suburban retailers would benefit from the virtual lockdown of the CBD.

Edward Specialty Coffee owner Abhi Gupta said the CBD is taking longer to recover after each lockdown. Picture: Liam Kidston

“CBDs won’t become ghost towns but in time if staff continue to work from home businesses will have to give up office space and there will be an adjustment made and leftover office space will be converted into apartments, but that will take years,” Dr Oliver said.

According to the Google data, visits to supermarkets and pharmacies in Brisbane fell 5 per cent in January and the use of public transport slumped 56 per cent. The number of people staying at home rose 11 per cent.

Property Council of Australia chief executive Ken Morrison said leading into December there was positive momentum in workers returning to the Brisbane CBD after two years of the pandemic and many lockdowns.

He said he expected office workers to start returning to the CBD next month.

“Covid-19 isn’t going away, but workers don’t need to shelter in their homes anymore,” Mr Morrison recently told The Courier Mail.

Brisbane CBD retailer Edward Specialty Coffee owner Abhi Gupta said he had about 40 per cent less trade than usual for this time of year.

“I’ve noticed that each time there is another lockdown or an outbreak, the city is taking longer and longer to recover,” he said.

The impact of Covid on regional cities in Queensland was not as severe, according to the Google data.

Retail and recreation venue visits were down 18 per cent on the Gold Coast in January, fell 16 per cent in Mt Isa, 11 per cent in Redland City, eased 6 per cent in both Cairns and Ipswich, 3 per cent in Townsville and was off just 1 per cent in Logan City.

Workplace attendance fell 17 per cent on the Gold Coast, 15 per cent in Mt Isa, 8 per cent in Ipswich, 7 per cent in Townsville, 5 per cent in Cairns, 4 per cent in Logan City and 3 per cent in Redland City