OC Act review webinar highlights complex issues facing owners

On Friday, August 29, the Owners’ Corporation Network (OCN) hosted a free webinar on the Victorian Government’s review of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (OC Act).

The event attracted a wide audience – including members of the expert review panel – eager to understand how the proposed reforms could reshape strata living in Victoria.

The webinar, held just days before the September 2 consultation deadline, unpacked the government’s seven key topics for reform. Presenters included strata legal expert Tom Bacon, industry leader Julie McLean, and OCN board director Dr Janette Corcoran. Together, they provided insights into the consultation paper and practical advice on how attendees could prepare effective submissions.

Although the session ran for an hour-and-a-half, the pace was swift. Presenters acknowledged that, given the breadth of issues under review, they could only focus on major questions within each theme. Nonetheless, the discussion underscored the complexity of the reforms and the significant implications for owners, residents and committees alike.

Governance was a central concern, with discussion focusing on whether current rules deliver sufficient transparency and accountability, and how they might be strengthened.

Short-stay accommodation drew particularly strong reactions, with questions about enforcement and emphasising that, regardless of an OC’s position on short stays, the overriding need in apartment living is for a safe, secure environment – one that does not require constant policing.

The issue of financial hardship highlighted the tension between the largely external view that OCs should be obliged to support financially stressed owners, and the panel’s perspective, which emphasised the unfair burden this could place on compliant owners and the need to ensure OCs remain financially viable. Manager conduct also generated strong discussion, particularly around the disclosure of commissions and the fairness of management contracts.

When it came to non-compliance and dispute resolution, the panel highlighted frustration with VCAT’s timeframes, which then raised questions about alternative pathways – such as the possible introduction of a strata commissioner.

Reforms to the voting process, including proxy limits and interim resolutions, were also flagged as critical to protecting fairness and preventing manipulation. Finally, collective sales raised sensitive debate about whether unanimous consent should remain or if majority thresholds might better enable redevelopment.

The panellists stressed that this review represents a rare, once-in-a-decade opportunity to influence the laws that govern shared property living. With submissions closing on September 2, they encouraged owners and residents to ensure their voices are heard engage.vic.gov.au/OCActReview.

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