The Property Council of Australia has backed the decision from the New South Wales Government to continue on the road map out of COVID-19 as the state reaches 95 percent double vaccination rate and further restrictions ease.
Property Council’s NSW Executive Director Luke Achterstraat said he welcomed the easing of restrictions as the state reached the 95 percent double vaccination milestone.
“With our state now at 95 per cent double vaccinated and NSW being one of the highest vaccinated jurisdictions in the world, now is the time to learn to live with this virus as promised at the beginning of this pandemic,” Mr Achterstraat said.
Mr Achterstraat said the vaccinations and booster shots were introduced to ensure society was protected to the highest degree.
“Our low COVID death rate is a clear example of evidence that the vaccinations work and our health systems will cope as we continue to enjoy our freedoms,” he said.
“We all have a responsibility to act safely, socially distance and follow the expert health advice to help reduce the spread. We can confidently reopen trusting we have the systems in place to manage COVID in the community.”
Mr Achterstraat said the outlook was now positive.
“Confidence is up with NSW leading the nation at 73 percent of respondents of our latest ANZ survey saying negative COVID-19 impacts will improve and ease over the next 90 days.
“With further restrictions easing in time for Christmas, we can expect our CBDs to begin buzzing again.
“We look forward to working with the NSW Government on its CBD reactivation plan to ensure the CBDs across our state including Sydney, Liverpool, Parramatta, Newcastle and the Illawarra remain the best places to live, work and play in the world.”
Mr Achterstraat said he was pleased the government was focusing on hospitalisations and not case numbers as NSW continues to reopen throughout summer and into the new year.
“The decision to remain on the path of reopening and refocusing our concerns on serious cases and not community cases will instil confidence in our society, economy and culture as we welcome back our way of life.”
