Can a chairperson with majority vote change parking by-laws without a general meeting?

QLD

Committee & Governance

Our chairperson holds the majority vote. The committee changed parking by-laws without a meeting. What can we do?

We are building managers operating a management rights letting business at the complex. Our chairperson holds the majority vote, as they own 72% of units in the scheme.

The committee added a by-law regarding visitor parking without an EGM for body corporate approval.

The committee chairperson insists the by-law was voted on at a meeting. We were not invited to or had any input into this undocumented meeting.

This by-law will adversely effect the complex's management rights letting business and other owner's rental incomes. What can we do?

Any victory may only be for the short term.

By-laws can only be changed by general meeting resolution for something like this. It is not a committee decision. That being said, if a single owner has 72% of the votes and votes in favour of it, it is hard to see how the change won't be given effect, so the victory may only be for the short term…

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Published: 28 Jan 2020

Last Updated: 24 Jul 2026

This post appears in The QLD Strata Magazine February 2025

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Answer by

Frank Higginson

Redchip Strata Law

With more than 30 years’ experience in property, management rights and body corporate law, Frank is a beacon of knowledge and a renowned strata-industry expert. Known for his straight-shooting style and commercially driven advice, Frank cuts through the most challenging legal problems to deliver real-world solutions.

An active member of the strata community, Frank generously shares his time and experience to help educate the broader industry on all things strata law. He embraces his role as an industry leader and is committed to continued industry innovation and ensuring everyone in the strata sector has access to practical resources and solutions as they navigate through the strata maze.

He regularly presents to all industry segments and also speaks at Queensland Law Society events on strata law issues to other lawyers. Frank is a regular contributor to LookUpStrata.