OCN in the Media Archives - Owners Corporation Network

OCN supports council’s gas ban. Developers say it’s a no-brainer

Jane McIlroy2025-06-30T18:33:02+10:00

OCN’s joint managing director, David Glover, said the move to all-electric homes was “inevitable” for health, environmental and economic reasons, so the City of Sydney’s restriction on gas in new homes was “well thought through and essential”. The City of Sydney has mandated that new residential developments will have to use electric cooktops, ovens and space heating from January 1, 2026, and be entirely gas free from the following year. Read [...]

OCN supports council’s gas ban. Developers say it’s a no-brainerJane McIlroy2025-06-30T18:33:02+10:00

OCN ACT and strata bodies unite behind the need for a Commissioner appointment

Jane McIlroy2025-06-30T18:17:28+10:00

ACT strata bodies unite behind commissioner but warn funding falls short The Strata Community Association (SCA) and the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) have presented a united front in calling for a properly resourced strata commissioner to support Canberra’s growing population of strata-titled property owners. Read the article here

OCN ACT and strata bodies unite behind the need for a Commissioner appointmentJane McIlroy2025-06-30T18:17:28+10:00

OCN Qld Director Chris Irons on ABC Brisbane radio – the outdoor fridge debate

Jane McIlroy2025-06-20T19:01:35+10:00

OCN''s Queensland Director, Chris Irons explained the Tribunal's decision over a second pesky fridge on an owner's balcony Listen to the interview here

OCN Qld Director Chris Irons on ABC Brisbane radio – the outdoor fridge debateJane McIlroy2025-06-20T19:01:35+10:00

Owners corporations’ must matter in Melbourne’s budget

Jane McIlroy2025-06-05T12:47:12+10:00

OCN''s Victorian Director, Dr Janette Corcoran calls for the City of Melbourne to consider the realities faced by the thousands of existing strata buildings that are already home for the majority of the city’s residents. If you live in a high-rise, now is the time to speak up. The more the council hears that residential strata – and how this operates – matter, the more likely we are to see real [...]

Owners corporations’ must matter in Melbourne’s budgetJane McIlroy2025-06-05T12:47:12+10:00

Solar Shock – Owners Claim They’ve Been Swindled

OCN Executive Director2025-05-21T15:41:02+10:00

OCN's David Glover speaks to Maggie Raworth about the growing trend of developers installing embedded networks in new apartment buildings. They are routinely left with lengthy, expensive contracts that are difficult to negotiate or terminate. Worse, the apartment owners may not even own the infrastructure or benefit from energy produced. But they're required to maintain and repair it. https://youtu.be/UwKnlxEttTY

Solar Shock – Owners Claim They’ve Been SwindledOCN Executive Director2025-05-21T15:41:02+10:00

What happened next when a couple requested approval for EV charging ?

Jane McIlroy2025-05-15T17:33:13+10:00

What happened when a husband-and-wife strata owner requested approval for EV charging next to their basement car park? In this recent case in Queensland, they were denied – a decision upheld by an adjudicator. It’s a significant case for owners everywhere and highlights the challenges around EV approvals in strata. Read the case here, and then, click the link below, listen to OCN Board Director and Joint Managing Director Chris Irons [...]

What happened next when a couple requested approval for EV charging ?Jane McIlroy2025-05-15T17:33:13+10:00

Investing in older units carries growing cost of maintenance and upgrades

OCN Executive Director2025-05-21T15:08:39+10:00

Investors looking to purchase apartments are being advised to exercise extra caution in light of a new report indicating that nearly half of Australia’s strata buildings are over 25 years old, with a growing need for maintenance and upgrades. “You wouldn’t buy shares in a company without first looking into it and the foundations it was built on, so you shouldn’t buy an apartment without doing the proper research either. “That [...]

Investing in older units carries growing cost of maintenance and upgradesOCN Executive Director2025-05-21T15:08:39+10:00

Soft market sparks broker pay transparency fears

OCN Executive Director2025-05-21T15:21:12+10:00

Consumer groups are warning that the current soft insurance market may open the door to remuneration practices that could disadvantage clients unless regulators step in. The Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby Inc (ACIL) has called on oversight bodies – including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), and the Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee – to monitor how brokers adjust their pay structures during market [...]

Soft market sparks broker pay transparency fearsOCN Executive Director2025-05-21T15:21:12+10:00

2SM Talks About Embedded Networks

OCN Executive Director2025-05-12T11:53:16+10:00

Apartment owners in Sydney’s south are voicing outrage after discovering they’re being billed for electricity generated by solar panels on their own building’s roof. Ron Wilson speaks to Karen Stiles about embedded network traps for the unwary purchaser (or renter). Listen to interview:> https://omny.fm/shows/ronwilson/karen-stiles-solar-energy-agreements-07-05-25 Related interview of embedded network consultant:> https://omny.fm/shows/ronwilson/joseph-arena-arena-energy-consultings-principal-managing-director-08-05-25

2SM Talks About Embedded NetworksOCN Executive Director2025-05-12T11:53:16+10:00

‘You feel like Darryl Kerrigan of The Castle’: How Adam got charged for his own solar power

OCN Executive Director2025-05-19T17:44:55+10:00

Angry apartment owners say they’re being charged for electricity generated by solar panels on their own roof thanks to a confidential agreement signed between their developer and the energy provider. When they moved into the new Dwell building in Sutherland, in Sydney’s south, they assumed the solar would help with their common property electricity bills. Instead, they’ve just been presented with a surprise bill for $28,717.06 for the past 12 months, [...]

‘You feel like Darryl Kerrigan of The Castle’: How Adam got charged for his own solar powerOCN Executive Director2025-05-19T17:44:55+10:00