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Can we just make something clear? Strata Community Association (NSW), the strata managers’ professional group, does NOT represent strata owners, resid[See the full post at: Strata manager myth made ‘fact’ in SMH]
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
- This topic was modified 9 months ago by .
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I missed the SMH article but am entertained weekly by the SCA mouthpiece on Sunday afternoons on 2GB. I recall the SCA gentleman often giving the impression that owners, strata managers etc can all join the SCA. As though it’s just one big happy family where everyone’s interest is looked after equally. Never have I heard reference by him to the Owners Corporation Network or other organisation as a more suitable grouping for owners to in which to congregate.
It’s the Name – Strata Community Association – which is totally misleading. The organisation should be called Strata Managers Association.
Hi Jimmy, just a correction. SCA (Vic) was never called it’s self OCN. Nor would I call it fledgling. In its 30 plus years history it has been:
1989 IBCM – Institute of Body Corporate Managers
2007 OCV – Owners Corporation Victoria – reflecting the change in legislation from body corporate to owners corporation.
2011 Strata Community Management Vic – reflecting the desire of all states and territories to unite as a federal body.
OCN Docklands as it was known however has struggled in the past and indeed has been fledgling. However, the good and exciting news is we now have a Victorian board member on the OCN board and I hope this is a big turning point for us in Victoria.
Fledgling no more for Victoria. Both organisations SCA and OCN are already working together to bring sustainability solutions, disaster resilience and best practices for the benefit of both owners and managers. I agree there will always be differences and times we will both speak independently but most of the time we are working to support each other when we can.
There is so much good we can do together and the reason why I and so many others volunteer.
Keep up the good work Jimmy.
Morning , OCN was set up for Owners .. it wasn’t just Docklands and the plan was to grow . We had people from Kensington and South bank . Very early days of larger complexes to Victoria. If I remember correctly we had the name first then when there was a name change NSW took the name . I’m pleased to know after 20 years there’s movement but well and truly overdue!
Hi Jimmy
Thanks for article and I had made the same point to the journalist who wrote that article.
In addition to your previously made points about SCA proporting to be an owners representative, (ie conflict and embedded networks) I think there are a few more questions one should ask:
What is their view on the one sided SCA Strata Management Contract? OCN has some advice on our website as to how to deal with some of the more offensive clauses.
What is their view on insurance commissions? There have been much written and said about a business model which relies on what are often excessive commissions. OCN and many others have advocated for ceasing commissions and getting back to true strata management business. We are aware that there are strata management companies who agree with this approach.
Just how many submissions have they made advocating for the rights of strata owners? We know they have done some advocating for the rights of their constituency, ie strata managers. But how many for owners? Conversely we have done almost 100 such submissions in just the last 10 years.
On the question of other states, our business name is Owners Corporation Network of Australia ltd. Although we have been mostly focussed on NSW, we currently have a sub-committee working on a nation model. We have OCNACT, Queensland representation on that sub-committee as well as the Victorian representative on our board and sub-committee, that Julie mentioned. More on the outcomes at a later date
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