OCN Executive Director

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So far OCN Executive Director has created 178 blog entries.

Growing calls for a federal inquiry into the strata industry

2024-10-24T14:33:07+11:00

OCN spoke to the ABC following the explosive Four Corners episode on 9 September 2024. NSW Housing Minister, Rose Jackson, supported an inquiry and said the NSW government was willing to work with its federal colleagues. The CEO of the NSW Real Estate Institute supported the call for an Inquiry to rid the industry of rorts and restore trust in the many good managers 'who would be cringing' after watching the [...]

Growing calls for a federal inquiry into the strata industry2024-10-24T14:33:07+11:00

Consumer Groups Demand Government-Directed Inquiry into Strata Management Industry

2024-10-24T11:02:29+11:00

A coalition of leading consumer advocacy associations has today called on Federal Treasurer, Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP to initiate a government-directed public inquiry, led by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission or the Productivity Commission, into the strata management industry. The coalition cites systemic harmful practices within the industry that compromise consumer rights and community expectations. Noting recent media reports of unethical, questionable or unlawful practices, the groups urge a [...]

Consumer Groups Demand Government-Directed Inquiry into Strata Management Industry2024-10-24T11:02:29+11:00

Money Magazine Strata Special

2024-09-05T17:03:46+10:00

OCN contributed to a 2 part Money Magazine September issue look at strata owning. In 9 Strata Myths Busted by Tom Watson, OCN talked about the pros and cons of being on a strata committee.  We 'busted' the myths that by-laws are set in stone, and that you have to attend a general meeting in person to vote.  And we debunked the myth that tenants have no say, explaining that in [...]

Money Magazine Strata Special2024-09-05T17:03:46+10:00

Sydney strata manager appeals 10-year ban for accessing funds without approval

2024-08-07T12:27:03+10:00

One of Sydney’s highest profile strata managers is appealing against a ruling that saw him banned for 10 years for a multitude of allegations, including failing to act with honesty, fairness and professionalism and accessing apartment buildings’ funds without approval. That same manager – despite having numerous complaints against him with the state government tribunal – had also, by the same body, been given total control over schemes that were in [...]

Sydney strata manager appeals 10-year ban for accessing funds without approval2024-08-07T12:27:03+10:00

Sydney strata manager banned for a decade, company stripped of licence by NSW Fair Trading

2024-07-30T17:40:19+10:00

Sydney strata manager Whitney Wang has been banned from practising for 10 years and his company has been stripped of its licence. Mr Wang was the strata manager at the centre of an explosive meeting at the embattled Vicinity apartment complex in Canterbury in 2021 that became so hostile the police were called. He has also been ousted as strata manager twice in the past two years after owners at separate [...]

Sydney strata manager banned for a decade, company stripped of licence by NSW Fair Trading2024-07-30T17:40:19+10:00

Strata law reform on the cards as NSW Fair Trading swamped with complaints

2024-07-09T15:58:30+10:00

NSW Fair Trading received 965 complaints about strata agents in the five years to 2023, most commonly related to rules of conduct and finances. In the past year, there were 273 complaints against strata agents, compared to 16 against strata executive committees and 43 against strata owners corporations.Owners Corporation Network Executive Director Karen Stiles said many owners were in “a world of pain” thanks to limited regulation over the sector.“We certainly [...]

Strata law reform on the cards as NSW Fair Trading swamped with complaints2024-07-09T15:58:30+10:00

2024-08-22T14:43:24+10:00

OCN welcomed the opportunity to provide input into the discussion paper on the Regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters and other Li-ion battery powered micromobility vehicles. The risk of fire related incidents in one apartment is potentially multiplied over the whole building, as such any risk is a community risk, rather than individual risk as is the case in a standalone home. OCN Submission:> OCN Submission - NSW Regulation of e-mobility Devices August [...]

2024-08-22T14:43:24+10:00

Regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters and other Li-ion battery powered micromobility vehicles

2024-08-22T14:56:24+10:00

OCN welcomed the opportunity to provide input into the discussion paper on the Regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters and other Li-ion battery powered micromobility vehicles. The risk of fire related incidents in one apartment is potentially multiplied over the whole building, as such any risk is a community risk.  Therefore strata should be treated as a special case. Read submission:>  OCN Submission - NSW Regulation of e-mobility Devices August 2024 Related content:>  [...]

Regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters and other Li-ion battery powered micromobility vehicles2024-08-22T14:56:24+10:00

Design & Building Practitioner & Residential Apartments Act Review 2024

2024-07-17T17:31:59+10:00

The NSW Public Accountability Committee is currently reviewing the efficacy of the DBP and RAB Acts. OCN took the opportunity to make a distinction between its application for new and existing buildings, and point out the time and cost blowouts for remedial works caused by early confusion and conservatism of the industry. OCN called for clear guidance, to remove unnecessary overspecification of remedial works. Read submission:> OCN Submission - DBP & [...]

Design & Building Practitioner & Residential Apartments Act Review 20242024-07-17T17:31:59+10:00
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