The latest results from the ANZ/Property Council Survey reveal surging confidence levels in Queensland's property sector, despite the slower than anticipated return of workers to major business precincts.
Property industry sentiment in Queensland bounced from 124 points in the December 2020 quarter, to 144 index points in the March 2021 quarter. The result shows that industry confidence has nearly tripled since the height of the COVID pandemic, when a low of 58 index points was recorded during the March 2020 quarter. A score of 100 is considered neutral.
Property Council Queensland Executive Director, Chris Mountford, said the results were nothing short of phenomenal, however, it was critical that the positivity was not taken for granted.
"The results highlight a remarkable recovery for Queensland's property sector, which proved resilient throughout the challenges of last year and is now spearheading the State's economic recovery," said Mr Mountford.
"The industry has recorded strong results on most metrics of success, from crane counts to property clearance rates, to our own quarterly confidence surveys.
"However, we do need to maintain some degree of caution as these positive results were recorded prior to Brisbane's most recent lockdown, and while the benefits of Government stimulus programs continue to be felt.
"It is well documented that these lockdowns cost our economy millions and impact on the confidence of employees to return to their places of work.
"Office occupancy within Brisbane CBD has stagnated at circa 63 per cent, showing the road to recovery for our city centres has clearly not been as smooth as in other property sectors.
"With the end of JobKeeper and the ever-present spectre of another lockdown, there is clearly a need to support our CBDs and the many businesses that rely on the daily visitation of workers, students and tourists to make ends meet.
"Over the coming months, the Property Council will be working with its members, Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government, to implement a plan to support our city centre and ensure it continues to drive Queensland's economy," concluded Mr Mountford.
To view select ANZ/Property Council Survey historical data series in the Property Council's Data Room, click here
