OCN Executive Director

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So far OCN Executive Director has created 181 blog entries.

Owners Corporation Network Getting on Top of e-bike Fire Risk with Expert Webinar

2023-12-05T13:28:41+11:00

4 DECEMBER 2023 Sunday's e-bicycle battery fire in an apartment is the most recent of several this year. OCN, which represents and supports apartment owners and residents, has been researching best practice in protecting its members from this developing risk. “We have engaged with experts including EV Firesafe, an Australian company funded by the Department of Defence, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), the Electric Vehicle Council and taken advice from [...]

Owners Corporation Network Getting on Top of e-bike Fire Risk with Expert Webinar2023-12-05T13:28:41+11:00

Protecting Consumers From Unfair Trade Practices

2024-04-05T13:02:31+11:00

29 NOVEMBER 2023OCN was proud to sign onto the Consumer Policy Research Centre joint consumer submission on unfair trade practices - Make Unfair Illegal. There are a range of practices that cause consumer harm, and are detrimental to the competitive process, that are not currently unlawful. In the strata world these include embedded networks and obfuscation around insurance premiums. It's time to level the playing field! Read full submission:> https://cprc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Submission-Unfair-trade-practices-Treasury-November-2023.pdf Related content:> https://ocn.org.au/inquiry-into-embedded-networks-in-nsw-ocn-testimony/ Related content:> [...]

Protecting Consumers From Unfair Trade Practices2024-04-05T13:02:31+11:00

NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Batteries

2023-12-05T10:17:05+11:00

24 NOVEMBER 2023 The perception that Electric vehicles create a significant new risk from a fire safety standpoint has some history and has been widely covered in the media. The ACCC undertook an investigation recently into Lithium-Ion battery safety, which OCN supports: https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Lithium-ion%20Batteries%20report_3_0.pdf There are several perspectives to this issue worth exploring, which have a bearing on the nature of the risks, and the appropriate responses from government. OCN’s response is [...]

NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Batteries2023-12-05T10:17:05+11:00

Elizabeth Farrelly on the Sydneyist Radio Program

2024-01-10T15:16:05+11:00

Karen Stiles talked with Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney-based author, architecture critic, essayist, columnist and speaker. We canvassed topics such as tips and tricks for buying off the plan, the scourge of building defects, a new phrase "strata-induced poverty", and the wonderful strata living construct. Listen to the 23/11/23 segment:> https://eastsidefm.org/thesydneyist/ Related information:> https://ocn.org.au/off-the-plan-contracts-for-residential-properties/

Elizabeth Farrelly on the Sydneyist Radio Program2024-01-10T15:16:05+11:00

OCN Welcomes Abolition of Emergency Services Levy on Insurance Policies

2023-11-23T12:11:22+11:00

16 NOVEMBER 2023 The Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN) congratulates the NSW Government on its decision to reform the Emergency Services Levy (ESL), announced by Premier Chris Minns today. The tax penalises those who pay insurance amid a cost-of-living crunch and at a time when worsening extreme weather means cover is needed more than ever. NSW insurance customers pay around three times the amount of state taxes than Victorian insurance [...]

OCN Welcomes Abolition of Emergency Services Levy on Insurance Policies2023-11-23T12:11:22+11:00

Elephant In The Room Property Podcast

2023-11-17T10:46:06+11:00

30 OCTOBER 2023 OCN discussed "Strata Properties: What's Changing and Why? with buyers agent Veronica Morgan and mortgage broker Chris Bates. Listen here:> https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/304 00:00 - Introduction 01:25 - Who is Karen Stiles? 02:26 - Building commission changes in NSW and its impact on property owners 08:02 - Complexities, challenges, and risks in strata property insurance 13:21 - Can the strata commissioner contribute to improved strata property management? 14:48 - [...]

Elephant In The Room Property Podcast2023-11-17T10:46:06+11:00

Buyers of defective Sydney apartments allowed to break contracts, recoup deposits | ABC News

2023-11-02T17:06:38+11:00

27 OCTOBER 2023 A landmark deal has been struck allowing people who bought apartments with major defects to get their deposit back. The deal will apply to more than a hundred people who purchased units in Sydney's Imperial Towers. Described as a 'radical' first for New South Wales, the breakthrough is expected to make waves across the finance industry. Watch the full video:> HERE

Buyers of defective Sydney apartments allowed to break contracts, recoup deposits | ABC News2023-11-02T17:06:38+11:00

Buyers of defective Imperial Towers apartments in Sydney allowed to break contracts, recoup deposits in ‘radical’ first

2023-10-30T18:34:39+11:00

27 OCTOBER 2023 Nearly 100 people who purchased defective apartments in a Western Sydney development will have their contracts rescinded and deposits returned under a landmark agreement. Key points: Government inspectors found "serious defects" in 2021 and stopped buyers from moving in Developer said "serious defects" had been rectified prior to the receiver being appointed Apartments can't be sold for 10 years, and future buyers must be alerted to any defects [...]

Buyers of defective Imperial Towers apartments in Sydney allowed to break contracts, recoup deposits in ‘radical’ first2023-10-30T18:34:39+11:00

Backroom deals in strata insurance and how they’re costing you

2024-04-05T13:00:36+11:00

10 OCTOBER 2023 Long-standing conflicts of interest can have a big impact on premiums. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to strata insurance, and a lot of the movement is hidden from the people who pay for it. Karen Stiles, executive director of the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), a not-for-profit strata owners' advocacy group, has long campaigned for the removal of insurance commissions and broker fees in [...]

Backroom deals in strata insurance and how they’re costing you2024-04-05T13:00:36+11:00
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