The WorkSafe Commissioner's recent response following a meeting in September 2023, where SCA WA’s Position Paper was presented, has been helpful in clarifying several points of concern.
A residential strata scheme is a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) unless it is excluded by subsection 5(8) of the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS):
The recent webinar presented by strata law expert Michael Kleinschmidt from Budgen Allen Graham Lawyers tackled the industry hot topic of the declining cost of strata management fees. The session sparked a lively discussion, with both lot owners and strata managers offering their perspectives on the 'race to the bottom' trend.
On the 20 June, 2024 we held an important webinar on strata insurance transparency and commissions in Australia, this time focussing on the remuneration of intermediaries and conflict of interest from third party payment arrangements with John Trowbridge from Trowbridge Consulting. The webinar concentrates on Phase 2 of John Trowbridge's Independent Review of Strata Insurance Practices, discussing “Black box” arrangements and other questionable practices that can lead to higher premiums and limited choices for strata owners.
In August 2024, we held a webinar with David Lin from Strata Business Brokers that focused on the importance of understanding the value of your strata management company, regardless of whether an immediate sale is planned. Understanding your company's real value is a critical factor in making informed strategic decisions.
Lin emphasised that valuing your business can inform crucial decisions such as:
Lobbying, a term often associated with government and large corporations, is a powerful tool that can be effectively utilised within strata communities. Understanding how to lobby in a strata community is essential for individuals and groups seeking to influence decision-making and achieve desired outcomes. We explore the topic of lobbying in a strata community with Chris Irons from Strata Solve in a recent webinar.
In a webinar on how technology can improve building management held on 26 September 2024, Jake Sharp from MiMOR and Laura Toplis from Cadogan Facilities Management joined us to discuss the building manager's role and how they are tasked with juggling numerous responsibilities in today's fast-paced world. From maintenance coordination to resident communication, their role is crucial in ensuring a smooth-running building. Fortunately, technology has emerged as a powerful tool to streamline these operations and enhance overall building management.
The recent webinar hosted by LookUpStrata on fair strata management fees in Australia successfully initiated a lively and thought-provoking discussion, attracting over 1100 registrations and, at one point of the session, a live audience of over 570 attendees. The webinar was moderated by Nikki Jovicic, the managing director of LookUpStrata and Tower Body Corporate, and included a panel of six industry professionals offering diverse perspectives:
Strata communities face ongoing challenges in maintaining their buildings and managing costs effectively. A recent webinar by LookUpStrata, featuring strata leaders Paul Morton from Lannock Strata Finance, Michael Allen from Bugden Allen Group Legal and Bruce McKenzie from Sedgwick highlighted the critical role of proactive maintenance in prolonging building life and reducing long-term expenses.
Last week's session on strata bylaw breaches and bylaw enforcement in Western Australia, presented by Luke Downie from Realmark Strata, offered valuable insights for both strata managers and residents. The discussion focused on how fostering a strong sense of community can significantly reduce these bylaw infractions, ultimately leading to smoother enforcement process.
Todd Garsden, Mahoneys and Will Marquand, Tower Body Corporate joined us for a webinar on the 11 July, 2024 about the importance of owner motions in a Queensland body corporate. The ability to submit motions is a crucial right for lot owners in a body corporate scheme. It allows owners to actively participate in shaping the decisions that impact their living environment and investment. This goes beyond simply attending meetings. Motions are a powerful tool to bring specific issues to the table and propose solutions.