More e-bike fires – this time in Perth
7 FEBRUARY 2024 Last week, a fire occurred due to the charging of two lithium-ion e-bikes on a balcony. Nadia Mitsopoulos, Presenter of ABC Mornings Perth, spoke with Fred Tuckwell, Chair of OCN, regarding the incident. Listen to the interview:> https://ocn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Radio-ABC-Perth-Mornings-Fred-Tuckwell-talking-about-e-bikes-and-e-scooters.mp3 Read related article:> https://ocn.org.au/owners-corporation-network-proposes-new-e-bike-e-scooter-rules/
‘You can’t get out the window if you’re on the 20th floor’: Buildings act on risky e-bikes
5 FEBRUARY 2024 Sydney apartment owners are moving to ban or restrict electric bicycles and scooters in their buildings after a growing spate of battery blazes, undermining the state’s sustainability policies to encourage active transport. The Owners Corporation Network of Australia, which represents the owners and residents of strata properties such as apartment blocks, townhouses and villas, will be launching its model bylaw later this month. The organisation’s chair, Fred [...]
North Sydney Strata Controversial Move Banning e-bikes and e-scooters
5 FEBRUARY 2024 In a big shock to strata residents, a North Sydney apartment block has banned electric bikes and scooters with fears their lithium-ion batteries could ignite deadly fires. The devices have been blamed for eight blazes across the state in just the last month. Watch Channel 7 News segment:> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o0d4OR3-dg Related content:> https://ocn.org.au/strata-committees-re-think-risky-e-bikes/
Safety Concerns Surrounding E-Bikes and E-Scooters in Strata Living
5 FEBRUARY 2024 OCN Chair, Fred Tuckwell, discusses safety concerns surrounding battery-related fires linked to e-bikes and e-scooters with Michael McLaren on Radio 2GB. Listen to the interview:> https://ocn.org.au/Fred-Tuckwell
Philip has been waiting 10 years for strata to fix a leak in his apartment
3 FEBRUARY 2024 For a decade Philip Baigent endured water pooling on his balcony and leaking into his flat, warping the floorboards and causing mould. Karen Stiles, the executive director of the Owners’ Corporation Network of Australia, says governments set up strata as a housing model, but “don’t support it in any way”. “For example, owners’ corporations are not eligible for disaster relief because that’s only available to individuals and [...]
‘Confidence is waning’: New strata commissioner’s urgent task to support high-rise city
2 FEBRUARY 2024 A plan to build millions of apartments across Sydney will falter without major changes to the laws underpinning ownership and management of the properties, the state’s new strata commissioner warns. “The whole issue around housing supply, around affordability, and ultimately social and economic wellbeing, requires strata to be successful and requires people to have confidence in strata, and I guess the concern is there are areas where [...]
OCN talks Lithium-ion battery fire risk with ABC Newcastle’s Paul Turton
Following another e-bike fire last week, this time in Bondi, thankfully no one was injured – but the risks are high for devices that have been modified or use incorrect chargers. Fred Tuckwell, Chair, OCN spoke this morning with Paul Turton Listen to the interview:>https://ocn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024_01_22-ABC-NEWCASTLE-interview-with-FT-Apartment-fires-ABC.mp3 Related article https://ocn.org.au/e-bike-fire-risk-expert-webinar/
Chinese developer ordered to fix defects in 900 apartment complex
17 JANUARY 2024 People who bought into the Lachlan’s Line apartment complex in Sydney’s North were promised a “prestigious new community”. Now they’ve discovered the basement floors in all four blocks are at risk of collapse. Karen Stiles, executive director of the advocacy group Owners Corporation Network welcomed the order which follows increased scrutiny of apartment developments. The Macquarie Park apartment’s car parks on the basement level are at risk [...]
Owners Corporation Network proposes new e-bike, e-scooter rules to reduce fire risk in apartments
Owners of e-bikes or e-scooters will not be allowed to charge their batteries inside their apartments under rules developed for strata schemes concerned about fire risk. OCN has drafted a model by-law on the management of e-bikes and e-scooters after a series of fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries. Read the full article published on the ABC website here You can also listen to the ABC Morning Show interview here Related [...]
OCN Talks Short Term Letting with 2GB’s Bill Woods
11 DECEMBER 2023 Following a report of people renting multiple properties in order to sub-let on the short term market, Bill Woods dug a little deeper. Do landlords know if their property is being short term let? How can they find out if it's being short term let? What can governments do to curb the commodification of housing? All will be revealed! Listen to the interview:> Related content:> [...]
Treacy left Mascot Towers four years ago. Now she’s $1m in debt and has brain tumours
7 DECEMBER 2023 Desperate apartment owners in Sydney’s notorious Mascot Towers are appealing for the state government to buy their defect-riddled building after the NSW Supreme Court slammed shut the gate on their last-ditch exit strategy. The apartment owners’ peak organisation, the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), is also calling for action. Executive director Karen Stiles said: “The OCN has sadly witnessed the four-and-a-half-year Mascot Towers debacle, caused by wholesale regulatory [...]
Elizabeth Farrelly on the Sydneyist Radio Program
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/
Elephant In The Room Property Podcast
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 [...]
ABC Drive on Imperial Towers Purchasers Getting Deposits Back
27 OCTOBER 2023 OCN's Karen Stiles talks to Dom Knight about the radical Undertaking between the NSW Building Commissioner and the Imperial Tower Financier to refund off the plan deposits to around 100 purchasers. Listen:>
Buyers of defective Sydney apartments allowed to break contracts, recoup deposits | ABC News
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 Imperial Towers apartments in Sydney allowed to break contracts, recoup deposits in ‘radical’ first
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 [...]
Backroom deals in strata insurance and how they’re costing you
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 [...]
This law was meant to solve Sydney’s housing crisis. It’s left owners devastated
1 OCTOBER 2023 The owners of apartments in crumbling old buildings who were offered multimillion-dollar sums by developers to hand them over for demolition and rebuilds have had their dreams dashed by loopholes in new legislation that was ironically intended to make redevelopments easier. Karen Stiles, executive officer of the apartment owners’ peak organisation the OCN, said repeated requests to reform the legislation had fallen on deaf ears. “The state [...]
Strata committees can cause grief for apartment owners. Here’s where conflict starts, and how to avoid it.
28 SEPTEMBER 2023 There are almost 3 million apartments or townhouses around the country that have one thing in common: they're covered by a strata scheme. It means the people who own those properties pay regular strata fees to cover any costs related to shared space. Strata committees — elected volunteer owners — make day-to-day decisions about things like building maintenance, repairs, renovations and other big-ticket items. They're important decisions. But strata [...]
Telcos Have the Right to Install High Speed Internet on your Apartment Building Whether You Like it or Not
16 SEPTEMBER 2023 Recently, an ITC Lane Cove Chat reader asked if a Telco called GigaComm had contacted anyone living in an apartment complex about installing high-speed internet infrastructure in their apartment building. With over 50% of Lane Cove residents living in apartments, this was an issue worth investigating. So, what do you do when a Telco contacts your owners corporation with an official notice stating the Telco will be installing fibre and [...]
Three ways to prepare your unit block for an emergency
13 SEPTEMBER 2023 With extremes of weather, bushfires and strained infrastructure on the way, is your building ready for a crisis to become a catastrophe? OCN is hosting Strata Matters with three panel sessions on how to prepare for any hard times ahead. Read more:> HERE
Preventing Conflict in Strata Communities
12 SEPTEMBER 2023 OCN spoke with Hilary Harper of Radio National 'Life Matters' about how to prevent conflict within a strata community and a strata committee. Listen:> HERE
What’s Behind the High Number of Strata Bankruptcies?
31 AUGUST 2023 OCN talks to Sarah MacDonald about the high incidence of bankruptcy applications by owners corporations for unpaid levies. Listen:>
Strata debts sending more Aussie homeowners bankrupt
29 AUGUST 2023 The Business | ABC News A growing number of homeowners are being sent bankrupt because of debts owed to body corporates over the upkeep of building complexes. Consumer groups say it often starts as a small amount but quickly escalates once fees and charges are added, landing some Australians in court. Strata companies are facing calls to offer hardship arrangements. Watch the full video:> HERE
Collapsed developer Toplace ordered to fix another defective Sydney building
29 AUGUST 2023 The Business | ABC News Collapsed developer Toplace has been ordered to fix yet another defective Sydney building. Uncontrolled cracking has been found in the Kellyville apartment complex. It was the third Toplace development slapped with a rectification order in one week. Watch the full video:> HERE
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