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New face same passion for advocacy
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 [...]
Consumer Groups Demand Government-Directed Inquiry into Strata Management Industry
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 [...]
How apartment owners are being ripped off….
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 [...]
NSW Budget 2024-25
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 [...]
Consumer Groups Unite in Call for Increased Resourcing of NSW Strata & Property Services Commissioner
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 [...]
United Call for Investigation into NetStrata Practices by Regulatory Bodies
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 [...]
Consumer Groups Demand Explanation from Insurers on Lack of Cover in Northern Australia
15 FEBRUARY 2024 Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby Inc (ACIL), Unit Owners Association of Queensland (UOAQ), Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN), and NQ Strata Action Group have collectively issued a formal request to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) seeking an explanation for the lack of insurance coverage offered in Northern Australia, despite the implementation of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool (the Pool). Read Joint Media Release:> 240215 Joint ACIL, UOAQ, [...]
Owners Corporation Network Getting on Top of e-bike Fire Risk with Expert Webinar
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 [...]
OCN Welcomes Abolition of Emergency Services Levy on Insurance Policies
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 [...]
Appointment of a Strata Commissioner for NSW
9 OCTOBER 2023 “We welcome today’s announcement that NSW has appointed a Commissioner dedicated to Strata. The appointment of a Strata Commissioner should lead to better coordinated, and transparent responses to the many challenges facing this growing housing sector,” Karen Stiles, Executive Director, Owners Corporation Network said. “Right now, cost-of-living pressures are putting the spotlight on opaque market practices. Strata residents are facing an energy transition, sustainability demands, and rising [...]
Peak Apartment Body Calls For Pre-Election NSW Response To Ongoing Covid Legal Threat
15 JANUARY 2023 The peak body for the one million plus apartment owners in New South Wales says with new COVID variants emerging, it is concerned tens of thousands of owners corporations in the State are exposed to possible legal challenge if they try and protect apartment precincts from a new COVID outbreak. Read full media release:> 230115 Peak Body Calls for Pre-election Response to Ongoing COVID Legal Threat
Apartment Owners Urged to Embrace 10 Year Defects Insurance
23 DECEMBER 2022 On the eve of the four year anniversary of the Opal Tower apartment calamity in Sydney, the peak body representing apartment owners is repeating its call for Owners Corporations throughout the State to take up an innovative and “game changing” offer by the State Government to solve building defect disputes – including 10 year insurance protection paid for by developers - and end the “lawyers picnic” in [...]
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