OCN Media Releases Archives - Owners Corporation Network

New management for OCN

Jane McIlroy2025-05-15T09:31:06+10:00

OCN is pleased to announce a new structure, with two of its board members assuming management roles.David Glover and Chris Irons, who both joined the board in late 2023, will become Managing Director – Services and Managing Director – Development respectively, effective today, 14 May 2025.Karen Stiles, who's stood in as interim CEO over the last few weeks, will return to contributing her deep experience to OCN as Policy Director.Board chair, [...]

New management for OCNJane McIlroy2025-05-15T09:31:06+10:00

NSW Fair Trading investigation continues after Netstrata report released

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-02-26T15:19:23+11:00

Shari Driver, CEO of the Owners Corporation of Australia Ltd (OCN), notes that today NSW Fair Trading released the report from the first stage of the investigation. We note that McGrathNicol identified: "Several potential conflicts of interest not disclosed by Netstrata to its clients including the personal relationships that employees of Netstrata had with suppliers. Highly saturated use of those related entity suppliers or suppliers with whom Netstrata had a commercial [...]

NSW Fair Trading investigation continues after Netstrata report releasedShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-02-26T15:19:23+11:00

Legal Limbo in Wang Suspense

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-02-21T17:15:01+11:00

Shari Driver, CEO of the Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN), said that “OCN is disappointed that the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has upheld an earlier order that temporarily stayed the cancellation of Mr Whitney Hong Wang’s strata managing agent licence.” OCN has previously heard complaints from distressed strata owners alleging that Mr Wang has engaged in inappropriate and unethical conduct. For now, this means that many owners corporations [...]

Legal Limbo in Wang SuspenseShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-02-21T17:15:01+11:00

Strata consumer groups expect a defendable government report about Netstrata

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-01-24T20:12:28+11:00

The Owners Corporation Network (OCN), the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), and the Unit Owners Association Queensland (UOAQ) are all deeply concerned to hear that Netstrata may have sought to influence the outcome of the NSW Government’s investigation into alleged malpractice by Netstrata. In 2024, an enforceable undertaking was entered into by Netstrata with NSW Fair Trading to provide for a review of Netstrata (and their subsidiaries) business processes, practices and [...]

Strata consumer groups expect a defendable government report about NetstrataShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-01-24T20:12:28+11:00

New face same passion for advocacy

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-10-30T13:49:33+11:00

The Owners Corporation Network of Australia Ltd (OCN) heralded a major leadership change at its Strata Matters 2024 conference. OCN welcomed Karen Stiles into her new focus as Policy Director and Shari Driver into her promotion to Chief Executive Officer. Shari comes to OCN with a background in town planning and extensive senior leadership experience across government, private industry and not-for-profit organisations. Shari brings an in-depth understanding of the strata sector [...]

New face same passion for advocacyShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-10-30T13:49:33+11:00

Consumer Groups Demand Government-Directed Inquiry into Strata Management Industry

OCN Executive Director2024-10-24T11:02:29+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 IndustryOCN Executive Director2024-10-24T11:02:29+11:00

How apartment owners are being ripped off….

Jane McIlroy2024-09-11T11:56:12+10:00

Here's today's media UPDATE ABC Four Corners:> VIEW THE FULL EPISODE HERE ABC News: How apartment owners are being ripped off> http://ABC News Daily: How Apartment Owners Are Being Ripped Off ACCC Chair calls for a ban on Strata Insurance Commissions:> ABC News today Brokers and advocates call for public strata inquiry:> Call for a public inquiryAnd in the interest of fairness, Steadfast's response:> https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/steadfast-on-abc-strata-investigation-we-refute-the-allegations-504852.aspx Plus there's more Top consumer groups say 'it's [...]

How apartment owners are being ripped off….Jane McIlroy2024-09-11T11:56:12+10:00

NSW Budget 2024-25

OCN Executive Director2024-06-19T16:47:16+10:00

MEDIA RELEASE 19 June 2024 The Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN) welcomes new budget funding specifically to support delivery of much needed strata reform. Strata is one of the main, if not the main, formats for improved housing supply over the short and medium term. So, it’s a good start. But more will be needed as the scope and scale of the task to improve community confidence and trust in [...]

NSW Budget 2024-25OCN Executive Director2024-06-19T16:47:16+10:00

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

OCN Executive Director2024-07-17T17:34:45+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 CommissionerOCN Executive Director2024-07-17T17:34:45+10:00

United Call for Investigation into NetStrata Practices by Regulatory Bodies

OCN Executive Director2024-03-27T18:45:04+11:00

22 MARCH 2024 In response to alarming revelations broadcast on ABC’s 7:30 Report, the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL), Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN), and Unit Owners Association Queensland (UOAQ) are jointly calling upon ASIC, ACCC, and the Strata & Property Services Commissioner of New South Wales to commence a thorough investigation into the practices of NetStrata and its associated entities. “OCN is deeply troubled by the findings reported on [...]

United Call for Investigation into NetStrata Practices by Regulatory BodiesOCN Executive Director2024-03-27T18:45:04+11:00