Submission on electric vehicle provisions – Woollahra Council DCP 2015
The Owners Corporation Network of Australia ltd (OCN) has provided a submission to inform the planning provisions for electric vehicle (EV) parking in the Woollahra Local Government area. Importantly, OCN was able to collate EV expertise and suggest DCP amendments to Council to ensure the local planning provisions are not more onerous than those required under the National Construction Code (NCC). Read Submission: 20250303 - Woollahra Council DCP 2015 - [...]
Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland
On 27 February 2025, OCN provided a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland. OCN urged the inquiry to consider the role of body corporate (strata) volunteers. OCN is seeking a fundamental change in how strata schemes operate in Queensland. Reflecting the government’s perspective, if volunteers are critical to the delivery of essential services, including public safety and disaster response then the role of strata managers together with [...]
Principles for Reforming the Strata Industry
On Wednesday 27 November 2024, the Owners Corporation Network of Australia (OCN) was invited by NSW Fair Trading to attend a forum about insurance commissions, together with the insurance industry, academics, lawyers and other parties. Subsequently, on 20 December 2024, OCN took the opportunity to summarise our views on what success looks like, from a consumer’s perspective by listing the following Principles for Reforming the Strata Industry (and insurance commissions): [...]
OCN supports Mandatory Information on E-micromobility Vehicles
OCN strongly supports the introduction of a mandatory information standard for e-micromobility vehicles. It’s vital consumers know there is a decisive difference in safety between high quality and low quality products. OCN’s submission provides detailed suggestions to the Department of Fair Trading for the improvement of the proposed information standards. Read Submission: 20241203 - OCN Submission - Mandatory Information Standard on E-micromobility Vehicles Related Content: https://ocn.org.au/inquiry-into-e-scooters-e-bikes-and-related-mobility-options/
Home Building Act Review
OCN made yet another submission on the ongoing building law reforms. Read submission:> OCN Submission - Building Reforms September 2024
Disaster Adaptation Planning
OCN welcomed the opportunity to have input on the proposed Disaster Adaptation Planning (DAP) process being considered by Reconstruction NSW. OCN wants to work together with government to prepare for; respond to and recover from the potentially traumatic experience of unit evacuations OCN already has an independent role across NSW to advocate for better outcomes for people living in strata. As strata living becomes the predominant housing form in NSW, [...]
Inquiry into e-scooters, e-bikes and Related Mobility Options
OCN urged the Inquiry to keep two high-level goals in focus: The overarching priority to create a better, cleaner future that electric vehicles help to provide, and Let the facts, rather than opinion, speak. Our response is supported with detailed analysis by the EV Council (EVC), EV FireSafe and the ACCC . OCN has held, and been involved in, a number of educational webinars on this overall subject, where we [...]
Strata Law reform on the cards as NSW fair trading swamped with complaints
The NSW government’s draft laws are in consultation with the Owners Corporation Network and Strata Community Association and will be considered by parliament later this year. Owners Corporation Network Executive Director Karen Stiles said many owners were in “a world of pain” thanks to limited regulation over the sector. “We certainly welcome more stringent regulation of strata managing agents and service providers, including building managers,” she said. Read submission:> [...]
Regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters and other Li-ion battery powered micromobility vehicles
OCN welcomed the opportunity to provide input into the discussion paper on the Regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters and other Li-ion battery powered micromobility vehicles. The risk of fire related incidents in one apartment is potentially multiplied over the whole building, as such any risk is a community risk. Therefore strata should be treated as a special case. Read submission:> OCN Submission - NSW Regulation of e-mobility Devices August 2024 Related [...]
Design & Building Practitioner & Residential Apartments Act Review 2024
The NSW Public Accountability Committee is currently reviewing the efficacy of the DBP and RAB Acts. OCN took the opportunity to make a distinction between its application for new and existing buildings, and point out the time and cost blowouts for remedial works caused by early confusion and conservatism of the industry. OCN called for clear guidance, to remove unnecessary overspecification of remedial works. Read submission:> OCN Submission - DBP [...]
Fire authorities’ risk to Electric Vehicle charging in Apartment buildings
The decision by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council Limited (AFAC), and by various fire services across the country, to designate electric vehicles as ‘special hazards’, imposes elaborate and expensive fire protection requirements on residential strata buildings. This position appears to have been made without adequate consultation or an analysis of the risk and benefits across the community. OCN joins the Electric Vehicle Council to call on: • [...]
Impact of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability
OCN made a detailed submission to the Senate Inquiry into the impact of climate risk on insurance availability and affordability, focusing on the undetected concentration of the strata insurance sector. We propose that the climate change narrative has masked an escalation in intermediary fees, commissions and profits. The compulsory aspect of strata insurance means it could be considered a form of state insurance, like motor liability or workers compensation, but [...]
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