Canberra’s city centre needs more residents to overcome high office vacancies and inconsistent foot traffic, according to the Property Council of Australia.

At its Life of City: Reimagining Canberra forum at Louie Louie in Verity Lane Market, the council urged greater collaboration between government, industry, and the community to revive Civic. 

ACT Executive Director Ashlee Berry said population growth, changing work patterns and cost pressures were reshaping the way people use the city. 

“Our city centre must evolve,” Ms Berry said. People make places vibrant, and that means more people living, working and spending time in Civic. 

“We need to look at all options, from more student and retirement accommodation to schools and more social infrastructure – to support the many people who want to live here.” 

In her view, planning, zoning, building heights and taxes might all need to change to make new investment in the city centre viable. 

“A good example is the Lease Variation Charge — it must be more than a blunt revenue tool. Used well, it can be a lever for adaptive reuse, urban renewal and mixed-use development to bring life back into underused buildings. 

“By modernising the system and rewarding projects that deliver public benefits, including through targeted remissions, we can make it easier to repurpose existing assets and attract the investment Civic needs.” 

Ms Berry said short-term ‘meanwhile’ activation — creative, cultural and community activity in dormant spaces while longer-term projects are progressed — could pull people to the city, support businesses, and help the case for investment. 

 “We should be honest about the story of Civic — what’s working, what isn’t — and then back the experiences that bring people in after 5pm: culture, study, hospitality, events and safe night-time options alongside new homes. 

“Today’s event was about shaping the next chapter for Canberra’s heart. With the right policy settings and a genuine partnership approach, we can transform Civic into a place where people want to live, work, study and stay. 

“Reimagining Civic isn’t about holding on to the past, it’s about having a clear vision for the future and finding a new rhythm for the city.”