Ability to terminate strata schemes key for growth

The Strata Laws need to be changed to allow many inner and middle ring areas to go through a regeneration, just as in many suburban streets, houses are knocked down and replaced with better quality houses.

Support needed to encourage independent living

As the Australian population ages, Waldemar Niemotko calls for strata laws that work to encourage seniors to live independently.

Better solutions for dispute resolution

Disputes in strata schemes can and do occur.  Chairperson of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal, Kay Ransome, wonders whether there may be a better dispute resolution model.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that disputes in strata and community schemes can and do arise.

The requirement in the present legislation for mediation of disputes is an important step in achieving solutions parties can work with.  For matters which do not resolve at mediation, there are currently different paths to determination depending on the type of dispute – an adjudication and a hearing before the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT).

Noticeboard not enough – keeping owners informed

In the communication age we currently enjoy it is important for strata laws to reflect our level of connection. Strata manager Natalie Fitzgerald calls for greater distribution of correspondence to ensure all owners are given a fair opportunity to participate in the running of their strata schemes.

Successful strata living is created through the successful creation of a community which in turn is fostered through communication. And yet only those buildings defined to be a ‘large scheme’ – meaning they number more than 100 lots are obligated to provide minutes and agendas to all owners. With large schemes making up only approximately 0.08% of all strata schemes in NSW – that’s a lot of owner’s left potentially in the dark.

Strata Laws Online Consultation: CLOSED

The New South Wales Government plans to commence a review of the State’s strata and community title laws in 2012, which may include significant amendments to the existing legislation.

Feedback vital for strata regulatory reform

As the Strata Laws online consultation enters its final weeks, NSW Minister for Fair Trading the Hon Anthony Roberts, calls for feedback on what parts of the current legislation are working well.

Rethinking strata reform

With the rapidly changing landscape of housing in New South Wales, Strataman says it is time to rethink our entire approach to strata. ”While commerce around the world is at a ‘change point’, Strata is no different.”

Union calls for greater say from tenants on strata laws

Strata laws affect everyone in the scheme, even renters. Chris Martin from the Tenants’ Union of NSW says it is about time tenants’ rights were taken into account by strata regulations.

Recommendations for strata law reform

To ensure apartment living remains an attractive choice in the future, the law needs to keep pace with changes to apartment living and the needs and expectations of owners and residents. Clover Moore shares her thoughts on Strata Law reform.

Importance of creating reasonable by-laws

Strata and community title legislation gives owners an extraordinary power not given to any other owners of property: the power to write by-laws for their neighbours, regulating not only what they do on commonly-owned property, but what they do in their own home.  Cathy Sherry, University of New South Wales Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, explains the importance of capping the number of by-laws.

Citizen empowerment through social media

TCG Group managing Director Peter Fritz reviewed citizen empowerment, social media and the use of internet interaction in policy making at last week's Herzliya Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The genie left the bottle around 1450-1455, with Guttenburg’s practical application of printing using moveable type. Bibles first, then self-improvement manuals, and then newspapers.

By 1900, there were 70 different newspaper titles published each day in Paris alone. Then TV. It could be claimed that TV transmissions of Dallas into East Germany had a role in collapse of the Berlin Wall.

Now there are over 1.5 billion people worldwide, linked into social media of one form or another. The hunger for access and influence has not changed. The only thing that has changed is reach.

Unlocking land for urban renewal

The current strata scheme legislation in NSW is the most significant hurdle to the urban renewal of our major population centres, and Stephen Albin writes that meaningful reform is needed.

Sydney is a city under immense population pressure. In the next 24 years alone, existing urban areas will need to accommodate at least 539,000 new homes, according to the Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036. Strata reform is essential to allow urban renewal and the supply of more homes that are safe, affordable, environmentally-sound, and appealing to live in.