• Read more about Insurance Implications of having a Working Bee
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The executive committee at our complex recently approved a voluntary working bee to spread mulch in the common area garden.

The executive committee asked participants to identify themselves to the committee for the record so they would be covered by the voluntary workers insurance covering personal injury and liability to others. The participants took exception to the request and went ahead with the working bee with no one having informed the EC that they would be taking part.

• Read more about Are we expected to pay the huge fire call out fee?
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Recently the building’s fire alarm siren went off in our apartment building. I was working from home and quickly grabbed my bag and keys and evacuated outside. By the time I got to the bottom of the steps, it stopped so I went back and started working again. This happened AGAIN a few moments later. I assumed after that, the fire alarms were just being tested.

Should residents be told when alarm testing is occurring? I was quite concerned and also annoyed that I evacuated twice and wasn’t advised.

• Read more about As QLD caretakers 12 years into a 25-year agreement, can we challenge a motion to change to the standard module?
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We are caretakers of a QLD complex and our agreement is currently at 12 years (out of 25) in an Accommodation module complex.

• Read more about Can I grant a licence agreement for my exclusive use area without the owners corporation's permission?
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• Read more about What can an owner do if the committee fails to plan for ongoing maintenance?
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In our Queensland body corporate of 23 units, the committee has not prepared a maintenance plan for more than four years and only arranges servicing or repairs when something breaks. Can I put a motion to an EGM requesting the committee to develop a maintenance plan, including regular servicing and common area repairs, and to distribute it to all owners quarterly? Or would this be considered directing the committee to do what they should already be doing?

• Read more about Respectfully Holding a Party or Get-together in Strata
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Our 20 year old unit complex has a gas BBQ area in the middle of the block. The BBQ is just meters away from the bedroom windows of two lots. Are there any rules that regulate how close a common property BBQ can be to lot living areas in terms of proximity and nuisance?

• Read more about Can a strata company approve a motion to provide an exemption to a by-law without changing the by-law?
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Our by-law identifies jarrah as the required building material. A request has been made for an exemption to jarrah, which is no longer readily available. Can a strata company approve a motion to provide an exemption to a by-law without changing the by-law?

• Read more about What process should the committee follow when responding to an application for conciliation?
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We received two similar questions that have been combined into this one article.

Question 1:

At a recent BCC meeting the committee by a vote of 4 for and 1 against approved an application for installation of pavers and additional stormwater drainage to drain into the original stormwater drainage.

• Read more about Does Section 112 of the Strata Titles Act 1985 impose a mandatory duty on a strata company to enforce scheme by-laws?
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• Read more about If an AGM is delayed, what happens to previously submitted motions, and can new motions still be lodged?
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On 14 April 2025, the strata manager called for owners to submit motions to their office by 31 May 2025 for the forthcoming AGM. They anticipated holding the AGM in August 2025.

After the owners corporation committee met on 11 June 2025, they decided to delay the AGM until October 2025. They made this decision because a VCAT hearing for a dispute involving the committee is scheduled over three days in mid August.

Since last year’s AGM took place in July, an October AGM still meets the required timeframe.

My questions are: