We are strata owners – supporting each other, sharing information and advocating for our communities
THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF STRATA OWNERS
By belonging, you will be assisting to establish real policy change, improve owner education and transform strata schemes into smarter, more engaged strata communities.
OCN exists to advocate on behalf of strata owners and provide educational material for residents, so they have clarity about solving issues and planning.
For non-members, our LearnStrata web page has answers, fact sheets, templates & checklists. There is user-friendly guidance to achieve harmonious communal living.
For Members, there are many benefits, including our Member Forum – a direct line to knowledgeable owners and operators.
We advocate for the interests of residents, engaging with government and industry on critical topics such as consumer protection, strata body governance and building defects.
We are fiercely independent and not aligned with any commercial interest – what matters to you as a strata owner or resident is what matters most to us.
Borne out of necessity in 2002 after a number of new owners of apartments bought off the plan in different Sydney buildings came together to discuss common issues.
Since then we have grown in strength. We continue helping residents in strata communities and disseminating information about strata-living via our webinars, events, web site and forums
You can read more here
Our purpose is to be the independent voice of those in residential strata title ownership. We achieve this by:
• Advocating for changes to legislation and other policy instruments
• Facilitating our online Member Forum for discussion and connection with others in each state
• Providing online information for members, to assist them with living in a communal environment
• Presenting education via webinars for residents, with practical help on harmonious living and responsibilities
Our Mission
• To represent, educate and protect the interests and rights of owners and occupiers of residential strata
Our Vision
• As a sustainable organisation, our vision is to create a better future in residential strata community living and ownership.
OCN defines a ‘Better Future’ as being one where we have resilient, empowered communities living in climate-ready, defect free buildings.
The four strategic directions identified in the OCN’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan provide us with direction and a roadmap of how we aim to achieve our vision and mission over the next five years:
- Build a capable and sustainable organisation
- Engage, inform, and educate our members
- Grow our voice, presence, and membership
- Advocate for a Better Future through enhanced policy and legislative change
OCN Strategic Plan 2022-2026
Capable and Sustainable Organisation
To be effective OCN aims to be financially sustainable by seeking grants, sponsorship, developing value adding products, seminars and other sustainable revenue generating solutions. We also seek long term government funding based on our value to the community.
Inform & Educate Members
OCN delivers education and trusted information that is responsive and tailored to the needs of our members. These opportunities are geared toward practical solutions for strata living challenges.
Grow Our Voice
To influence change, OCN must grow a diverse and inclusive membership that is representative of the residential strata community. And establish and maintain strategic partnerships to build capacity and a shared voice.
Advocacy
OCN advocates for liveable and sustainable residential communities based on good governance, free from conflicts of interest. Policy will be guided by the public interest and informed by the lived experience of strata residents.
Respect We value all members in our diverse communities.
Integrity We act with courage, honesty, and truthfulness in our words and actions.
Independence We are independent in pursuing our purpose.
Public Interest We act in the public interest.
Accountability We maintain the highest standards of professionalism and personal responsibility.
Limitations
Information published by OCN members through OCN website discussion forums does not represent legal advice and does not necessarily represent OCN’s view or carry OCN endorsement.
OCN will not involve itself in individual disputes in schemes.
Fred Tuckwell, Chair
Fred brings a combination of executive and technical experience to OCN including a decade as a senior manager Director role with Telstra. The previous Chair of the large, self-managed Waratah Building strata community, he also has deep practical knowledge such as building and construction skills, capital management, large scale project management and product management
Since joining the OCN Board, Fred has undertaken leadership roles in securing City of Sydney grant funding, developed our website replacement project and webinar series, established our EV Charging in Residential buildings strategy and policies and secured NSW Government funding for specialist EV consulting.
David Glover, Managing Director – Services, OCN Secretary
David has a broad business background, mainly in marketing and communications for technical and B2B clients. He has skills and experience in presenting complex information to diverse audiences as well as practical project management. He’s been a strata committee member in both commercial and residential buildings for more than 15 years. This has included working with various strata managers as well as self-managed buildings so he’s familiar with the range of challenges facing owners corporations and strongly supports OCN’s mission to help meet these challenges.
Chris Irons, Managing Director – Development
Chris holds the unique distinction of having been Queensland’s Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management for over 5 years. He knows first hand from his time as Commissioner the challenges that strata owners face in being able to effectively exercise their strata rights and protect their investment. Bridging the information gap for owners and providing high quality advocacy to government on owner interests, are priorities for Chris in his role with OCN.
Dr Janette Corcoran PhD., MSc., BBus Director
Janette specialises in the field of social economics, and she has used her PhD from Monash University in her work with For-Purpose Organisations in the development and higher education sectors, both in Australia and internationally. Janette also brings a blend of hands-on experience gained from her role of Chair of a large mixed-used strata complex. It was her experience of directing this complex during COVID-19 that highlighted the array of regulatory challenges and deficiencies endured by residential strata. This served as motivation for her to join the OCN Board, where she envisions elevating advocacy efforts, fostering cross-sector engagement, and implementing initiatives for the betterment of strata-living.
Tom Bacon, Principal and CEO Strata Title Lawyers Pty Limited
Tom leads a dynamic team of highly qualified and experienced property and construction lawyers which specialise in acting for owners corporations in New South Wales and Victoria.
Tom has over 19 years experience in acting for owners corporations, private clients, multi-national organisations and government entities in Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean.
Tom has been involved in some of the leading cases decided in Australia and internationally, setting precedents to clarify the duties, powers, functions and obligations of owners corporations, and is regarded by his peers as one of the leading experts in the field.
Tom Belsham, BSc, MEM, MIET, CEng. Vice Chair, Treasurer
Tom brings more than 20 years’ senior leadership experience in corporate, small business and government organisations within the telecommunications and sustainability sectors in Australia and the UK. Tom has designed and led multi-million dollar strategies and work programs including, when at the City of Sydney, a comprehensive program of capacity building, advocacy and incentives for strata apartment buildings. As an investor in residential strata property, Tom gained first-hand experience of resolving major building defects when serving on the strata committee for his Sydney property. He is an advocate for organisations such as OCN, who provide independent and trusted advice, and who lead the transition to an apartment building and community sector that is resilient and sustainable.
Karen Stiles, Policy Director
Since joining OCN in January 2012 as Executive Officer, Karen has been active in advocating for better quality buildings, more effective consumer protections, improving legal and insurance arrangements and a planning system that ensures liveable urban communities. Her knowledge, networking abilities and passionate commitment to the sector have directly contributed to legislative changes that will benefit strata owners and residents now and into the future.
OCN enjoys working with government and groups which seek to improve life in multi-unit dwellings and help unify residents in managing their scheme.
The Learn Strata site has practical ‘how-to’ documents which provide steps for living harmoniously. Developed with the full support from the City of Sydney, some areas and links are specific to NSW, such as the essential Before you buy page.
There’s plenty for other states too!
Improve and simplify communications by using our sample text in emails. This also helps residents understand processes, removing frustration, and giving them the best chance to resolve problems.
Well-run buildings have residents who understand that engagement, patience and knowledge can make living in strata very enjoyable. Co-operating with neighbours on small tasks or projects prepares you to handle larger issues as they come along. Find ideas and solutions on the Further Information page.
Our influence
We strive to inform owners and provide education via our website. In our advocacy for strata owners and residents, we put forward workable and practical solutions. Below are just some of our achievements.
2024 – Link to Year in Review
REPRESENTATION: We collaborate wherever possible to remind government that strata schemes have differing requirements to single-dwelling housing. On behalf of strata residents, 23 submissions were made, covering many areas.
FRAMEWORK FOR COMMITTEES:
- Federal inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles
- Federal inquiry into residential electrification, including evidence to the Senate Committee
- NSW Consumer Energy Strategy
GOVERNANCE:
- Review of the Australian Energy Regulator exemption framework for embedded networks.
RIGHTS:
- Australian Consumer Law regarding unfair contract terms
PROTECTIONS:
- IPART review of Embedded Networks in NSW
- NSW Review of Short Term Accommodation
- NSW Fire safety Reforms and Round table meetings
SAFETY:
- NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Electric and Hybrid Vehicle batteries, including evidence at a parliamentary inquiry.
2023 – Link to Year in Review
REPRESENTATION: OCN advocacy caused the appointment of a dedicated Strata & Property Services Commissioner.
TOWARDS TRUSTWORTHY BUILDINGS: OCN advocacy caused the establishment of a well-funded, specialist Building Commission, with a 400+ person team to prevent and address existing building defects.
PROTECTION: The iCIRT ratings tool OCN helped develop to help off the plan buyers make informed buying decisions went live.
2022 – Link to Year in Review
EV CHARGING: OCN developed electric vehicle charging guidance for the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change, and produced a comprehensive suite of fact sheets, guides and a by-law to assist schemes on the EV charging journey.
2021 – Link to Year in Review
SUBMISSION SUCCESS: Substantial submission to the 5 year review of the Strata Schemes Development and Management Acts outlining reforms required to improve strata living. We conducted a full members survey of concerns and needs and delivered results to the Minister
COVID-19 ACTION: Policy success to mandate masks and highlight the unique needs and transmission risks in apartments to assist committees with the complexities posed by the pandemic.
SCHEME SUPPORT: We provided a detailed report into the risks and impacts of short-term letting and canvassed options to better support strata schemes.
TOWARDS TRUSTWORTHY BUILDINGS: We participated in development of the robust iCIRT Ratings Tool, the Construct NSW steering group and 3 of the 6 underpinning Reform Pillars. Working closely with the Building Commissioner and stakeholders.
OCN FRONTS GOVERNMENT: OCN again testified before the Upper House Committee in relation to the government’s positive building reform program, including the flammable cladding replacement program.
2020 – Link to Year in Review
RIGHT TO DECIDE: We achieved a hard-fought ability for owners corporations to prohibit investor owners from short term letting and commissioned a members-only proforma short term letting by-law to effect that.
PROTECTION: Our 2019 advocacy caused the NSW government to legislate a retrospective statutory duty of care owed to NSW Strata owners by building practitioners.
CONSULTATION: Driving the creation of a NSW Strata Portal, a first for Australia. This portal will allow government agencies to communicate directly with Owners Corporations and identify and analyse strata trends to better support owners.
2019 – 2019 Year in Review
REPRESENTATION: We were called to give testimony on behalf of strata owners to the NSW Inquiry into the Regulation of Building Standards, Quality and Disputes.
EXPERTISE: OCN was an active participant in stakeholder roundtables during the development of the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Bill and provided advice to the government on improving protection for strata buyers and apartment owners.
2018 – Link to Year in Review
RIGHTS: Our lobbying resulted in the NSW government permitting Owners Corporations to protect the rights of residents to peaceful enjoyment through OCs banning short-term letting by non-residents.
PROTECTION: OCN partnered with the UNSW City Futures Research Centre to carry out research into the cause of and solutions to the high level of avoidable defects in residential strata buildings.
SAFETY: OCN was vocal on the issue of identifying and rectifying flammable cladding including a social media campaign, support for affected members and obtaining legal advice and that advocacy has continued into 2020.
2017
PROTECTION: Our advocacy permitted residential strata schemes, including mixed use buildings where the residential component exceeds 50%, and buildings valued at more than $50 million to access the Australian Terrorism Pool so they are now insured for terrorism related events.
2016
GOVERNANCE: We collaborated with industry bodies to develop NSW government policy which facilitated a lower voting threshold for Strata Renewal with a robust protective framework for dissenters.
PROTECTION: We also won the right for committees to act swiftly to protect the owners corporation in defects disputes, then obtain owners’ approval afterwards. Developers had been giving impossible response timelines to disenfranchise owners corporations.
2015
CONSUMER RIGHTS: We facilitated the requirement for a defect bond for buildings over three storeys and succeeded in having Developers prohibited from voting on defects in the crucial first years of a scheme’s life. We also secured the right of owners corporations to recover understated levies from the original owner (developer). And we had strata management contracts capped at one year at the first AGM and three years thereafter.
Other milestones
REPRESENTATION: We have participated as members of major government and industry committees and boards including the NSW Building Professionals Board, the NSW Fair Trading Strata Reference Group, the City of Sydney Residential Apartment Sustainability Reference Group, and the NBN Lift & Fire Alarm Migration Group.
FUTURE-FOCUS: We are signatories to Planning for People: A Community Charter for Good Planning in NSW. OCN is also a Founding Partner with UNSW City Futures Research Centre in producing the Australia-first “Governing the Compact City” report, generating substantial media interest in building defects and the 2015 report on Economically Viable and Socially Sustainable Approaches to Urban Redevelopment (strata renewal) .
STRATEGIC THINKING: To ensure long-term protection of property, we successfully advocated for NSW Capital Works/Sinking Fund Plans with 10-year plans now required on a sliding scale relating to size and age of plan.
BUYER PROTECTION: We caused the creation of a Register of Home Owners Warranty certificates to prevent forged certificates. OCN also caused a breach of defect rectification orders by builders to be an offence, and achieved a ban on developers acting as strata manager for the first ten years of their building’s life and avoiding defects rectification.
TRANSPARENCY: We initiated the legislative obligation for NSW developers to deliver “as built” plans and drawings to the Owners Corporation.
GOVERNANCE: In 2005 we caused legislative change requiring the circulation of minutes and agendas, and also in 2005 a requirement for 10 Year Sinking Fund Plans (now Capital Works Fund Plans). In 2015 it became mandatory for those plans to be linked to the annual budget and if they are not, an explanation for this must be provided to owners.
INFLUENCE: In 2003 we achieved legislative change recognising “large strata schemes”.
ADVOCACY: In 2002 as a result of our advocacy, the NSW Government convened the Joint Select Committee on the Quality of Buildings. We have consistently worked to raise public awareness of the correlation between private certification and building defects.
OCN is a non-profit organisation that thrives on member value. Our capacity to deliver essential services is greatly assisted by our industry partners, who share the same ethics and desire to help strata residents.
For information on OCN’s sponsorship packages please contact md@ocn.org.au
You’re not on your own! Be part of our community and share our MEMBERSHIP link with your contacts and committee so they can unlock the benefits of joining as individuals or as a scheme.
Spread the power of OCN – encourage your neighbours to jump onto our Member Forum, explore the exclusive Member Pages, and attend our public webinars.
These simple actions ensure we focus our efforts exactly where the community needs us most.
> Download OCN Limited Constitution – adopted November 2019
Alex Greenwich MP on the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance & Enforcement Powers) Bill 2020, Hansard 3 June 2020:
“I thank the Owners Corporation Network for working with my office on this amendment … The amendment strengthens the strong consumer protections in the bill. This is an historic day for building reform and consumer protections for people who live in apartments in New South Wales.”
Shadow Minister Yasmin Catley MP on the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance & Enforcement Powers) Bill 2020, Hansard 3 June 2020:
“The Owners Corporation Network [and others] have been meeting with me over a number of years as we have collectively worked to improve the bills and ensure that the building reforms would have some substance to them.”
“I thank the member for Sydney for his sensible amendment, which the Labor Opposition will support. As the member for Sydney said, the amendment is a further safeguard within what is a very good piece of legislation. The member also noted that the amendment came about due to the advocacy of the Owners Corporation Network. I, too, express my thanks to the OCN for its advocacy for those who live in apartment buildings across the State.”
The Hon Kevin Anderson MP, Minister for Innovation & Better Regulation on the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance & Enforcement Powers) Bill 2020, Hansard 3 June 2020:
“The Government is supportive of the modification and believes it is a sensible change that recognises that there may be some circumstances in which an occupier would have a reasonable excuse to not comply. We are grateful to the Owners Corporation Network as well as the member for Sydney and his constituents, who have raised the issue with my office. We are sympathetic to the concerns they have raised. I thank the member for Sydney for moving the amendment, which the Government will support.”
Shadow Minister for Building Reform & Property, Yasmin Catley, on the Design & Building Practitioners Bill 2019:
“As members know, the Owners Corporation Network was very strong on this matter. I know that the member for Sydney will agree with me that the network has been incredible in its advocacy for the people it represents, who of course are the cohort that is so affected by these problems and the crisis in our building industry.”
Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, on the Design & Building Practitioners Bill 2019:
“Before closing, I acknowledge the tremendous work of the Owners Corporation Network in getting to this outcome. The team continues to provide me with advice on improving protections for apartment owners and has been integral to improving the regime put forward in the bill.”
The Hon Anthony Roberts, Minister for Fair Trading, May 2015
“From the outset let me commend the Owners Corporation Network for its immense contribution to the reviews of the home building legislation and strata and community title law. In particular I thank your organisation for its insightful and well argued submissions in response to the Reform of the Home Building Act 1989 Issues Paper and the Strata and Community Title Law Reform Discussion Paper, and its constructive participation in subsequent stakeholder roundtables to discuss the major issues arising from these reviews.
The Owners Corporation Network has been an indispensible participant in the consultation process for these reviews and its tireless advocacy has helped lay the foundation for meaningful reform.
I also commend the Owners Corporation Network for the initiative and goodwill it has shown in working together with the Property Council of Australia and Urban Taskforce Australia to find so much common ground on potential reforms to the home building legislation and the strata and community title laws. Confidence about building quality and the resolution of defects and disputes is in the interests of homeowners and builders alike.”
Minister for Fair Trading – Home Building Act Acknowledgement 2015
Whether you’ve been living in a strata community for years or you’re getting ready to move in for the first time – discover information and resources on our Strata Info page.
If you have an OCN membership, the Member Portal has lots to offer! Ask questions of industry professionals as well as experienced owners on our Member Forum.
Wondering about buying a strata property in NSW? Essential checks and tips are here: Learn Strata.
Enquiries via our website: Contact Us
General enquiries (we do not offer advice on individual matters): enquiries@ocn.org.au
Media enquiries: media@ocn.org.au
The Independent Voice of Strata Owners – Owners Corporation Network of Australia Ltd
You can make a difference by donating to OCN
The Owners Corporation Network is a non-profit member-based organisation. We take a proactive role in advocating the interests of owners with government and industry on critical topics such as consumer protection, strata body governance and building defects.
We speak for strata owners navigating the complexities of strata living, from social and organisational challenges to financial and legal issues. Our people have first-hand experience of living in strata. We know the upsides and downsides of this huge residential sector.
On our website, we provide education for the public and extended information within our Member Portal, with the aim of enabling residents to achieve harmonious communal living.
We are fiercely independent and not aligned with any commercial interest.
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