strata Archives - Owners Corporation Network

Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-03-10T12:09:18+11:00

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 volunteers [...]

Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in QueenslandShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2025-03-10T12:09:18+11:00

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 owners are increasingly banning electric vehicles from charging in apartment carparks

Jane McIlroy2024-12-18T12:21:21+11:00

Strata owners are increasingly banning electric vehicles (EVs) from charging in apartment basement carparks, citing a perceived risk of battery fires writes Technology reporter James Purtill in a recent article on abc.net.au EV fire safety researchers say the risk is no greater than for petrol and diesel cars and such concerns are fed by misinformation, but state fire authorities urge caution These conflicting messages around EV fire safety are generating confusion [...]

Strata owners are increasingly banning electric vehicles from charging in apartment carparksJane McIlroy2024-12-18T12:21:21+11:00

Miguel bought a car – then there was a $2000 cost to charge it

Jane McIlroy2024-12-16T12:51:27+11:00

A recent article in the SMH highlighted the high costs that some apartment buildings are imposing on residents who simply want to charge their EVs. And the apartment owners’ peak body, the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), chair Fred Tuckwell agrees, saying both strata owners and tenants should be free to use their EVs. “We are advocating for a right to charge,” he said. “There should be a set of criteria that, [...]

Miguel bought a car – then there was a $2000 cost to charge itJane McIlroy2024-12-16T12:51:27+11:00

The brutal world of owners corporations – and how to get them to electrify apartments

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-12-13T09:27:53+11:00

Fred Tuckwell, strata management expert and board chair of the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) spoke to the Fifth Estate recently about OCN's clear sustainability vision, aimed at creating “a better future in residential strata and community living and ownership … [with] resilient, empowered communities living in climate ready, defect free buildings.” OCN have assisted the NSW Government in creating guidelines for making strata buildings EV ready. Read Full Article: https://thefifthestate.com.au/energy-lead/the-brutal-world-of-owners-corporations-and-how-to-get-them-to-electrify-apartments/ Related Content: [...]

The brutal world of owners corporations – and how to get them to electrify apartmentsShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-12-13T09:27:53+11:00

Units of controversy

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-12-13T09:47:50+11:00

Shari Driver, CEO of OCN, recently spoke to Insurance News about insurance commissions. Shari told Insurance News that: “Disclosure is a mere ‘apology after the fact’ approach that seems to put the strata manager’s interests above their client, and if that happens, legally it does not meet the standards required of fiduciaries,” “Insurance is one of the largest expenses borne by owners’ corporations. OCN has been horrified to discover the extent [...]

Units of controversyShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-12-13T09:47:50+11:00

Disaster Adaptation Planning

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-09-02T17:41:13+10:00

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, there [...]

Disaster Adaptation PlanningShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-09-02T17:41:13+10:00

Inquiry into e-scooters, e-bikes and Related Mobility Options

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-09-02T17:33:50+10:00

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 communicate [...]

Inquiry into e-scooters, e-bikes and Related Mobility OptionsShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-09-02T17:33:50+10:00

NSW terminates real estate regulator after 8 months

OCN Executive Director2022-08-24T10:12:14+10:00

31 JULY 2022 Mr Minns, appointed by former minister Kevin Anderson in November, left the role on Friday, making him the second figure in a key position of industry reform to depart within days, after the largely unexplained resignation of building commissioner David Chandler. “It was a sad week for consumer protection in NSW,” said Karen Stiles, executive director of strata owner advocacy group OCN. “Monday brought the shock resignation of much [...]

NSW terminates real estate regulator after 8 monthsOCN Executive Director2022-08-24T10:12:14+10:00