But what do the numbers show?

Property Council of Australia's latest office market report showed Canberra, together with Brisbane recorded, had the second largest vacancy decrease in the country.

"Over the last six months to January 2017, Canberra's overall vacancy rate decreased from 13 per cent to 12.6 per cent over the six months to January 2017, dropping a full percentage point since this time last year," Property Council of Australia ACT executive director Adina Cirson said.

JLL ACT managing director Andrew Balzanelli said while Woden's overall commercial vacancy rate of 16.5 per cent was higher than overall rates in the city (9.8 per cent) and Barton (8.9 per cent), demand for top-grade office space in Woden had tapped out supply.

"JLL Research tracks 190,400sqm of office stock in the suburb of Phillip," he said.

"The current vacancy rate is 16.5 per cent (as of the fourth quarter 2016) but of the 112,800sqm of A grade office stock the prime vacancy rate in Phillip is zero."

Mr Balzanelli said B and C grade office stock accounted for 77,700sqm office space in the area but 40.4 per cent of the vacancy rate.

Ms Cirson said that more incentives to convert tired office space were urgently needed to meet the increasing demand for premium office product, with vacancy rates in the higher grades of space in Canberra less than half that of older stock.

Mr Balzanelli said efforts by the ACT government to shift personnel to Woden, improve transport infrastructure and commit to future transport links such as light rail were valuable steps forward.

The recent plans for mixed-use towers proposed at 15 Bowes Street adjacent to the bus interchange, were evidence change was occurring.

But Mr Balzanelli suggested policy adjustments such as a moratorium or a time-delay on planning charges could see sites, which had sat idle for several years, transformed to generate wider benefit.

"Our town centres are ageing so it is a really good opportunity to look at that, and to ensure they don't become just brick and mortar, but places where people have the ability to rest, work and play," he said.

"The knock on effect of refurbishment doesn't just go into the developer's pocket. It goes into everyone's pocket along the way: the services, contractors, local retailers and bringing new life and bodies to the area."

Woden Valley Community Council president Fiona Carrick said she had been trying to engage business, community and politicians in a discussion on urban renewal to see the pace of change accelerate before the city to Woden light rail track was laid.

Having a block of five legislative assembly members representing Murrumbidgee under new electoral zones presented a chance to build momentum and progress long-standing concerns.

"We need our MLAs to fight for us," she said.

"If all five members advocate for urban renewal in Woden we would have a stronger voice. We'd love to see members work collaboratively to bring forward ideas for urban renewal."