OCN Executive Director

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So far OCN Executive Director has created 137 blog entries.

Strata reforms send bills soaring from just $5,000 to $60,000

2024-04-12T16:37:22+10:00

9 APRIL 2024 In response to emergency evacuations the NSW government response was the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, which imposes complex obligations on practitioners and builders to ensure safeguards. An overarching law, the same regulations apply to new buildings as existing ones. NSW is the only state to enforce such rigour. Patch repairs to mixed-use buildings and strata apartments – the fastest-growing form of Australian property ownership – [...]

Strata reforms send bills soaring from just $5,000 to $60,0002024-04-12T16:37:22+10:00

Strata practices report unleashes torrent of criticism

2024-03-27T15:11:02+11:00

25 MARCH 2024 Allegations that a major NSW strata management firm has been charging excessive fees for insurance services without full disclosure of the arrangements have touched a nerve and triggered a torrent of criticism directed at practices within the sector. The Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), a strong advocate on strata insurance issues, last week joined with the Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN) and the Unit Owners Association of [...]

Strata practices report unleashes torrent of criticism2024-03-27T15:11:02+11:00

United Call for Investigation into NetStrata Practices by Regulatory Bodies

2024-03-27T18:45:04+11:00

22 MARCH 2024 In response to alarming revelations broadcast on ABC’s 7:30 Report, the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN), and Unit Owners Association Queensland (UOAQ) are jointly calling upon ASIC, ACCC, and the Strata & Property Services Commissioner of New South Wales to commence a thorough investigation into the practices of NetStrata and its associated entities. “OCN is deeply troubled by the findings reported on [...]

United Call for Investigation into NetStrata Practices by Regulatory Bodies2024-03-27T18:45:04+11:00

ACIL, apartment owners call for ‘thorough investigation’

2024-03-26T08:59:57+11:00

22 MARCH 2024 The Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), the Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN) and the Unit Owners Association of Queensland (UOAQ) have issued a joint call for national and NSW regulators to start a “thorough investigation” into the practices of strata management firm Netstrata and its associated entities following issues identified by the ABC this week. “The integrity of the strata management and insurance sectors is paramount for [...]

ACIL, apartment owners call for ‘thorough investigation’2024-03-26T08:59:57+11:00

Inquiry into the Transition to Electric Vehicles

2024-03-25T13:24:54+11:00

22 MARCH 2024 OCN responded to the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water inquiry into: the establishment of resources, systems and infrastructure required to support transition to EVs the impact of moving from internal combustion engine vehicles, including fuel excise loss, existing auto industry component manufacturers and the environment the opportunities for fuel savings, such as by combining EVs with other consumer energy technologies [...]

Inquiry into the Transition to Electric Vehicles2024-03-25T13:24:54+11:00

The apartment building with sustainability at its core

2024-03-20T18:44:09+11:00

14 MARCH 2024 The Antias building, with 43 apartments and part of the Jackson’s Landing precinct in Pyrmont, has undertaken significant efforts to enhance its environmental sustainability since its completion in June 2012. The lessons learned include a combination of financial prudence, community engagement, strategic grant utilisation and a commitment to embracing emerging technologies and standards for long-term environmental benefits. “We would not have pursued these important ratings had it not [...]

The apartment building with sustainability at its core2024-03-20T18:44:09+11:00

How to get Australia’s bodies corporate to go green and save money

2024-03-21T11:51:15+11:00

9 MARCH 2024 Whether you’re an owner or a renter living in an apartment, navigating the body corporate can be like tiptoeing through a minefield of different opinions and competing interests. So how do you negotiate making eco-improvements to your building, when it can be hard enough to get agreement on rules for hanging out your washing? A good first step, according to Megan Chatterton, chief resilience officer for the Owners [...]

How to get Australia’s bodies corporate to go green and save money2024-03-21T11:51:15+11:00

‘Unjust and unfair’: How Karen nearly lost everything to strata debt

2024-03-28T11:50:16+11:00

3 MARCH 2024 Karen Go was nearly made bankrupt two years ago by the strata manager of her block of flats in Sydney’s east over nearly $20,000 in strata levies and legal fees.  She was one of 306 NSW residents, or more than one a week, who faced forced bankruptcy proceedings from strata debt between 2019 and 2023, a legal process that means they can lose their homes over debts as low [...]

‘Unjust and unfair’: How Karen nearly lost everything to strata debt2024-03-28T11:50:16+11:00

Inquiry Into Residential Electrification – OCN Supplementary Submission

2024-03-20T11:59:13+11:00

13 MARCH 2024 OCN made a supplementary submission to the Senate Economics References Committee, to clarify testimony regarding incentivising both individual owners and owners corporations. Read Submission:> OCN Supplementary Submission - Senate Economics References Committee Questions VI Original Submission 28/9/23:> OCN Submission - Australian Senate Economics Reference Committee Inquiry into Residential Electrification 230928 Opening Remarks for Testimony 21/2/24:>OCN Appearance - Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into Residential Electrification Opening Comments 240221 [...]

Inquiry Into Residential Electrification – OCN Supplementary Submission2024-03-20T11:59:13+11:00

NSW Review of Short & Long Term Accommodation

2024-03-07T18:02:50+11:00

06 MARCH 2024 OCN made a submission making the following recommendations: Allow access to the Register by an Owners Corporation. Expand the scope of the Code of Conduct to address a greater remit of identified concerns to neighbours, other lot Owners, and Owners Corporations. Authorise council inspectors to inspect residential premises suspected of being used for short-term letting. Allow councils to ban short-term letting through development application. Ensure that any alternative [...]

NSW Review of Short & Long Term Accommodation2024-03-07T18:02:50+11:00
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