Free webinar: Owners urged to have their say on strata law reform

Apartment owners and residents are being urged to seize a “once-in-a-decade” chance to influence the laws governing strata living, with the state government’s review of the Owners Corporation Act 2006 now under way.

The review, announced by Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos in June, is being led by former minister Marsha Thomson and an expert panel, with recommendations due by December.

As CBD News reported at the time, the process is set to examine a wide range of issues – from unfair contracts and undisclosed commissions to short-stay accommodation rules and collective sales – in a bid to deliver “essential protections for apartment residents” across the state.

With submissions closing on September 2, the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) has scheduled an urgent free webinar to help owners cut through the detail and make their voices heard.

The online session will be held on Friday, August 29, from 1pm to 2.30pm via Zoom, and will feature leading strata experts including Strata Title Lawyers principal Tom Bacon, industry leader Julie McLean, and OCN director Dr Janette Corcoran.

OCN says the webinar will break down the government’s consultation paper into seven key themes, highlight the most important priorities, and give owners practical guidance on preparing a submission.

“Decisions made in this review will affect owners and residents for years to come,” OCN said in its announcement. “We can’t leave the delivery of better protections to chance – your concerns must be heard.”

The review comes as one in four Victorians now live in properties governed by an owners’ corporation, with issues of governance, transparency and enforcement more critical than ever in high-density settings like the CBD, Southbank and Docklands.

More information or to register here.