3 JULY 2019

A resident evacuated from a Sydney apartment complex is angry over what they say is an attempt to block them from bringing supporters and legal representatives to tonight’s owners’ meeting. One Mascot Towers apartment owner, who did not want to be identified, said she asked a colleague who is a lawyer to accompany her to the meeting, only to find out he was not welcome.

On Tuesday, she received an email from building management, who wrote that the meeting was “intended for owners in Mascot Towers and a strict identification registration process will be enforced”. “Only owners recorded on the strata roll will be permitted to enter and participate in the meeting’s proceedings.” Stephen Goddard, spokesperson for the Owners Corporation Network — an owners’ advocacy group — described the email outlining restrictions on attendance as surprising. “I consider that to be very foolish and lacking in transparency and disrespectful of members in the scheme,” he said.

Mr Goddard said only owners could participate and vote at the meeting, but there was nothing in the strata legislation restricting others from attending. “I understand the strata committee might be fearful of media penetration and troublemakers, but to deny people assistance and appear to be not transparent is a further breach of trust the building cannot afford,” he said.

> Read the full article at abc.net.au
Ursula Malone