OCN Executive Director

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So far OCN Executive Director has created 175 blog entries.

Impact of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability

2024-12-02T18:05:31+11:00

OCN made a detailed submission to the Senate Inquiry into the impact of climate risk on insurance availability and affordability, focusing on the undetected concentration of the strata insurance sector. We propose that the climate change narrative has masked an escalation in intermediary fees, commissions and profits. The compulsory aspect of strata insurance means it could be considered a form of state insurance, like motor liability or workers compensation, but states [...]

Impact of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability2024-12-02T18:05:31+11:00

General Insurance Code of Conduct

2024-06-25T12:19:00+10:00

OCN joined a coalition of consumer groups calling for improvements to the Code of Conduct. Specific reference to strata insurance is on pages 61-63. Read submission:> Joint OCN & Others Submission - Review of the General Insurance Code of Practice June 2024 Related content:> https://ocn.org.au/ocn-welcomes-abolition-of-emergency-services-levy-on-insurance-policies/

General Insurance Code of Conduct2024-06-25T12:19:00+10:00

General Insurance Code of Conduct

2024-06-25T12:20:02+10:00

OCN joined a coalition of consumer groups calling for improvements to the Code of Conduct. Specific reference to strata insurance is on pages 61-63. Read submission:> Joint OCN & Others Submission - Review of the General Insurance Code of Practice June 2024 Related content:> https://ocn.org.au/ocn-welcomes-abolition-of-emergency-services-levy-on-insurance-policies/

General Insurance Code of Conduct2024-06-25T12:20:02+10:00

Consumer Groups Unite in Call for Increased Resourcing of NSW Strata & Property Services Commissioner

2024-07-17T17:34:45+10:00

A coalition of leading consumer groups - the Australian College of Strata Lawyers, Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby, Owners Corporation Network of Australia, Retirement Village Residents Association, and Strata Community Association - has jointly urged the NSW State Government to increase funding for the Office of the Strata and Property Services Commissioner in the 2024-25 NSW State Budget. Read media release:>  240515 Joint ACSL, ACIL, OCN, RVRA, SCA Call For NSW Strata [...]

Consumer Groups Unite in Call for Increased Resourcing of NSW Strata & Property Services Commissioner2024-07-17T17:34:45+10:00

Fire Safety Reforms

2024-05-13T18:00:20+10:00

OCN made a further submission on proposed fire safety reforms, which include the introduction of licensing for fire safety practitioners.  With an accreditation program only established in 2021 for fire safety practitioners, and limited training facilities, OCN is wary of adding another layer of complexity and cost to owners without a compelling cost benefit analysis. Read submission:> OCN Submission - Fire Safety Reforms May 2024 Related content:> OCN Submission - Fire [...]

Fire Safety Reforms2024-05-13T18:00:20+10:00

Apartment owners being ‘penalised’ for other buildings’ defects

2024-08-06T18:12:49+10:00

Sky News host James Macpherson says the poor quality of strata apartment buildings is “killing owners”. His comments come as a new report from the New South Wales government, which looked at 600 new or near new strata buildings, and found 53 per cent of them had serious or major defects within six years of being built. “Even if they don’t have defects in their building,” he said. “The Owners Corporation [...]

Apartment owners being ‘penalised’ for other buildings’ defects2024-08-06T18:12:49+10:00

Dire warning for Aussies in apartments

2024-05-06T19:01:29+10:00

Australians who’ve tried to escape colossal house prices by living in an apartment face another looming disaster. Amid challenging circumstances for prospective home buyers, purchasing an apartment or a unit has been a viable means of escaping the rental crisis for many, but it has also proven to be a strategy that comes with potential downsides of its own, such as: Building defects Rising cost of repairs Rising cost of insurance [...]

Dire warning for Aussies in apartments2024-05-06T19:01:29+10:00

Electric vehicle dilemma faced by millions of Aussie residents: ‘It’s a nightmare’

2024-05-07T09:53:34+10:00

Aussie man Robert Till has been desperate to ditch his 2011 Holden Calais for an EV for the past three years, but he faces a common dilemma felt by millions of apartment dwellers across the country. With no charging infrastructure currently available at his block in Brisbane, he would have nowhere to charge his vehicle. And the "simple" solution he's proposed requires body corporate approval, but he's been told no. Fred Tuckwell, chair at the [...]

Electric vehicle dilemma faced by millions of Aussie residents: ‘It’s a nightmare’2024-05-07T09:53:34+10:00

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
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