Better strata living in 2025

Better strata living in 2025
Dr Janette Corcoran

We closed out 2024 with two final strata improvement activities.

One was our participation in the Department of Transport and Planning’s roundtable. This session focused on the new Building and Plumbing Commission (set to replace the Victorian Building Authority (VBA)). The aim is to streamline and strengthen building quality control by integrating regulation, insurance, and dispute resolution into a unified body with enhanced enforcement powers.

These changes offer an opportunity to address long-standing concerns about accountability and building quality, and it is crucial that the voices of future residents – those who will call these buildings home – are embedded in this process.

We also were gratified to be invited to present to the Consumer Energy team at the State Electricity Commission (SEC). This group is tasked with accelerating Victoria’s transition to electric homes.

Engaging with the SEC at this time will aid in their designing a more inclusive approach to energy transition – one that considers the diverse needs of all Victorians, including those living in apartments.

Looking ahead, our advocacy in 2025 will focus on two key priorities:

A Victoria Strata Commissioner – we believe the appointment of a dedicated Strata Commissioner is essential for bringing greater focus and accountability to the sector. This role would ensure that regulations, standards, and policies are aligned with the needs of strata residents. Currently we are reviewing the different models from Queensland and New South Wales to identify the best approach for Victoria.

A Victoria “Strata Hub” – inspired by a similar initiative in NSW, we are advocating for Victoria to establish a central, secure platform to serve as a reliable repository for key data and records. Transparency and accessibility like this are long overdue in Victoria.

Beyond these priorities, we are continuing to provide pragmatic assistance to those living in strata. And to kick off the year, OCN is hosting a free webinar on project remediation on February 20, 2025, at 12pm.

Remediation is a pressing issue in residential strata, with the high costs of essential repairs often resulting in even more costly delays.

Our expert panel – featuring Clint Gavin (Network Architectural), Ben Hughes-Brown (Vortex Fire), and Fred Tuckwell (chair, Owners’ Corporation Network) – will share strategies and insights to help navigate these challenges. All strata residents, particularly committee members, are invited to participate and can register here.

Also, our free monthly newsletter will help strata residents to stay informed on issues, and you can subscribe here (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

Together, we know can build a stronger, fairer future for strata living in Victoria! •

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