OCN Executive Director

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So far OCN Executive Director has created 179 blog entries.

Building defects in strata units robbing buyer’s future

2021-10-18T14:57:32+11:00

17 October 2021 Stephen Goddard, spokesperson for the Owners Corporation Network, discuss his recent SMH opinion piece about the dangers of building defects in residential strata schemes with Michael McLaren on Overnight with Michael McLaren. Mr Goddard wrote, ‘For some time now it has been a self-evident truth that new residential strata schemes can be plagued with building defects which are left for a new owners’ corporation to fix.’ ‘The defect [...]

Building defects in strata units robbing buyer’s future2021-10-18T14:57:32+11:00

National Construction Code 2022

2023-10-08T18:16:33+11:00

OCN made a submission on the proposed amendments by the Australian Building Codes Board to energy efficiency and condensation technical provisions, seeking earlier construction and operation of Net Zero Emission buildings, that are ready for the unavoidable impacts of climate change and that are built to ensure the health and wellbeing of their occupants.

National Construction Code 20222023-10-08T18:16:33+11:00

Building defects in strata units: unstoppable force meets immovable object

2021-10-18T15:03:03+11:00

15 October 2021 An owner in a new apartment tower at Canterbury said yesterday: “We took a risk buying into a new apartment, but we didn’t realise it would be this kind of risk.” The alleged risk in question is the possible need to evacuate due to structural instability. For some time now it has been a self-evident truth that new residential strata schemes can be plagued with building defects which [...]

Building defects in strata units: unstoppable force meets immovable object2021-10-18T15:03:03+11:00

NSW Digital Survey Plans Reform

2023-10-08T18:16:37+11:00

Having sat on the consultative committee established to provide advice and guidance on the transition to digital survey plans, OCN made a short submission outlining the benefits of the reforms for strata title purchasers.

NSW Digital Survey Plans Reform2023-10-08T18:16:37+11:00

Four in 10 new apartment buildings have major defects: NSW Building Commissioner

2021-10-11T11:00:14+11:00

11 October 2021 Almost four in 10 new apartment buildings in NSW have serious defects, costing an average $331,829 per building to fix, a new survey has found, although resolutions are rare. The Owners Corporation Network, which represents apartment owners, welcomed the survey results. “As the peak body for residential strata owners, the Owners Corporation Network strongly supports research into the incidence and impacts of serious defects,” said chief executive Karen [...]

Four in 10 new apartment buildings have major defects: NSW Building Commissioner2021-10-11T11:00:14+11:00

Strata Schemes Management Act Supplementary Submission on Short Term Letting

2021-10-07T17:42:20+11:00

7 October 2021 The NSW Short Term Rental Policy de-regulates housing and residential zoning to accommodate the growth of Airbnb. It makes no distinction between a free-standing home and a high-density apartment community. The commercialisation of strata assets brings with it unpredictable and significant risks and costs for all Owners and increases the burden on Strata Committees and residents. The strata legislation must now address these unresolved policy issues before the [...]

Strata Schemes Management Act Supplementary Submission on Short Term Letting2021-10-07T17:42:20+11:00

Star Ratings System to Shine a Light on Dodgy Developers

2021-10-05T12:19:28+11:00

5 August 2021 It has a whiff of narcissism about it – “go on, tell me how great I am” – but NSW is about to introduce a voluntary star rating system for new apartment building projects. It’s a slow-burn strategy to eventually freeze the worst players out of the market, but it has been welcomed by owner advocates such as Karen Stiles, executive officer at the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), who says [...]

Star Ratings System to Shine a Light on Dodgy Developers2021-10-05T12:19:28+11:00

Covid-19 & NSW Apartment Building Facilities Guidance

2021-12-20T16:12:24+11:00

20 September 2021 As NSW moves towards 70 – 80 % vaccination problems are arising in residential strata complexes about unvaccinated users’ access to shared strata facilities. To reduce the risk of a Delta outbreak, we are asking the NSW Government to a make clear and unequivocal statement that future public health orders will apply to facilities in all settings, including residential strata and community title schemes. > Read letter to [...]

Covid-19 & NSW Apartment Building Facilities Guidance2021-12-20T16:12:24+11:00

NSW Government has power to lock down entire unit blocks with one positive case

2021-09-30T15:09:45+10:00

7 September 2021 Apartment residents could be hit by the most draconian COVID-19 laws ever produced by the NSW Government, which is able to lock down entire unit blocks when just one person tests positive to the virus.  The police also now have new powers to patrol buildings, quiz everyone living in – and visiting – apartments for their names and phone numbers, and order them all to take COVID tests. [...]

NSW Government has power to lock down entire unit blocks with one positive case2021-09-30T15:09:45+10:00

NSW is almost certainly on the precipice of a massive deterioration

2021-08-27T14:04:33+10:00

10 AUGUST 2021 OPINION As an experienced respiratory physician at a major western Sydney hospital, I am gravely concerned about the NSW government’s ineffective response to the Delta outbreak. As it has overseas, the pandemic is disproportionately affecting low-income migrant populations with insecure jobs. NSW is almost certainly on the precipice of a massive deterioration. Contact tracers are overwhelmed, with reporting of infection hot spots lagging by days. The whole strategy [...]

NSW is almost certainly on the precipice of a massive deterioration2021-08-27T14:04:33+10:00
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