Gas connection to existing building with owners consent

we are in a block of 8 units, 4 of the owners want to have gas connected at their own individual expense with no cost incurred by the other lot owners. We have all agreed that ongoing costs and maintenance will remain with the unit owners. We are happy to minute this in a meeting. However the strata manager says we can not do this we have to have a by law. I rang fair trading and they said if the owners consent to the connections and the arrangements then there is no need for a by law. The agent refuses to give a letter of consent for the gas company to connect and says that we have to have a by law drafted and that they have to have an EGM at our own cost to vote on the by law and then register it at our own cost. My concern is that the agent is doing this for money. If the other lot owners agree and it will not cost other owners now or going forward and we have a legal instrument (minutes) to indicate and record such; why do we need to waste money or a by law? The agent is not advising the other owners that we need a by law and that it is to protect themselves. I have spoken to a lawyer or said that they are giving the wrong advice and that as long as we have a legal instrument and consent from other owners it is as good as having a by law registered. What is right and what is wrong and why are things so difficult, do you always have to jump through hoops to get something done! Please help.