sustainability Archives - Owners Corporation Network

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

If you live in an apartment, where do you dry your laundry?

OCN Executive Director2024-10-29T14:45:31+11:00

Where you dry your laundry can all depend on your Strata rules if you're in an apartment, and that can mean even your balcony is off limits. Why do these rules exist and are they fair? Guest: Karen Stiles, Director of the Owners Corporation Network Listen to interview with Andy Park:> https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-drive/does-your-strata-rule-where-you-put-your-laundry-/104527622

If you live in an apartment, where do you dry your laundry?OCN Executive Director2024-10-29T14:45:31+11:00

ABC Sydney Breakfast Discusses Drying Laundry on Balconies

OCN Executive Director2024-10-28T14:20:08+11:00

Apartment buildings that restrict residents from drying their washing outdoors are facing a push to relax the rules as sustainability and cost-of-living concerns make dryers less desirable. OCN talks to Craig Reucassel about the vexed issue of residents being allowed to dry their laundry on their balcony. Listen to interview (2:18:55 minutes - 2:22:39 minutes):> https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/sydney-breakfast/sydney-breakfast/104500156

ABC Sydney Breakfast Discusses Drying Laundry on BalconiesOCN Executive Director2024-10-28T14:20:08+11:00

Apartment dwellers push for the right to air their clean laundry

OCN Executive Director2024-10-28T11:29:11+11:00

Apartment buildings that restrict residents from drying their washing outdoors are facing a push to relax the rules as sustainability and cost-of-living concerns make dryers less desirable. Karen Stiles, executive director of the Owners Corporation Network of Australia, said conflict over laundry was becoming more common in both states because new developments were not designed for people’s needs. While older apartment blocks typically had communal clotheslines, this had “gone out the [...]

Apartment dwellers push for the right to air their clean laundryOCN Executive Director2024-10-28T11:29:11+11:00

A place in the sun: How to get solar to 2.5m apartment dwellers

OCN Executive Director2024-10-26T10:41:28+11:00

Australia has the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the world, but millions of apartment residents are not reaping the benefits of cheaper power and electrification. Yet in large buildings such as high-rise apartments, the report says, up to 60 per cent of energy consumption comes from common areas and shared services, and about 25 per cent of administrative fund strata levies are spent on energy bills alone. Karen Stiles, executive [...]

A place in the sun: How to get solar to 2.5m apartment dwellersOCN Executive Director2024-10-26T10:41:28+11:00

Victorian HighLife Expo: listening to the voices of residential strata

Jane McIlroy2024-08-06T18:17:57+10:00

The recent HighLife Victoria Expo featured a range of activities, including webinars, stalls, and forums – along with a Listening Post. Operated by the Owners’ Corporation Network (OCN) and Strata Community Association (SCA) Victoria, this initiative gathered insights from expo attendees – owners, tenants and committee members – regarding their most pressing issues and desires for change within the residential strata sector. Read article:> https://www.docklandsnews.com.au/highlife-expo-listening-to-the-voices-of-residential-strata/

Victorian HighLife Expo: listening to the voices of residential strataJane McIlroy2024-08-06T18:17:57+10:00

Call for rebates to help apartment dwellers go green

Jane McIlroy2024-04-23T10:02:59+10:00

18 APRIL 2024 Independent Federal MP Allegra Spender spoke at last week's OCN webinar "Shared Solar for Apartments" noting that even though many households had solar panels there was a significant divide between those in freestanding homes and apartment complexes. "Australia has one of the highest penetrations of solar power in the world, but about half of Australia's households are locked out," she said. Fred Tuckwell, OCN Chair noted apartment residents [...]

Call for rebates to help apartment dwellers go greenJane McIlroy2024-04-23T10:02:59+10:00

Inquiry into the Transition to Electric Vehicles

OCN Executive Director2024-03-25T13:24:54+11:00

22 MARCH 2024 OCN responded to the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water inquiry into: the establishment of resources, systems and infrastructure required to support transition to EVs the impact of moving from internal combustion engine vehicles, including fuel excise loss, existing auto industry component manufacturers and the environment the opportunities for fuel savings, such as by combining EVs with other consumer energy technologies [...]

Inquiry into the Transition to Electric VehiclesOCN Executive Director2024-03-25T13:24:54+11:00