News & Publications
Newly Re-Elected NSW Government Building Standards Announcement
NSW Government – building standards update The newly re-elected Berejiklian Government has announced its plan in response to the Building Confidence Report commissioned by the Building Ministers’ Forum in August 2017. The independent expert review by Professor Peter Shergold AC and Bronwyn Weir examined building regulatory systems around Australia and found there are national problems […]
Tribunal Decision Regarding The Executive Committee Code Of Conduct In The ACT
Leonard & Anor v Michie & Ors (Unit Titles) [2019] ACAT 14 is a recent decision by ACAT which was determined on 31 January 2019. It is of interest to strata managers given it is the only decision of any jurisdiction in the ACT which considers allegations of breaches of the executive committee Code of […]
Security Bars: Common or Lot Property?
In the matter of Cestaro v The Owners – Strata Plan No. 457 NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal of 12 February 2019 (unreported), it was held that security bars affixed to the external windows of a lot were common property. The lot owner applicant alleged that security bars that they had installed in 2004 and […]
WIN News Canberra: Building Defects in the ACT
On 6 February 2019, Christopher Kerin was interviewed by WIN News Canberra in relation to the building defects in the ACT. The full interview is provided below.
Canberra Times article: ‘We’ve reached a crisis point’ – Experts decry ACT building industry
On 28 January 2019, Christopher Kerin was quoted in the Canberra Times in relation to defects in high-rise apartments. To read the full article click here.
Australian Financial Review Article: Off-the-Plan Market Going Off the Tracks
Christopher Kerin was quoted in the Australian Financial Review in relation to the off-the-plan apartment building frenzy. To read the full article click here.
2GB Interview: Opal Tower
On 28 December 2018, Christopher Kerin did an interview with 2GB discussing Sydney’s Opal Tower. The full interview is provided below.
Three Key Things to Research when Considering Buying a Strata Unit: Don’t Shy Away From It
Across Australia the growth of strata title buildings is continuing. Over the Christmas break NSW residents would have looked on in horror at the structural defect concerns raised at the Opal Tower building in Olympic Park causing an evacuation of the complex. The most important thing you can do to prevent a similar situation is to […]
Canberra Times article – Owners’ legal action over defects
On 3 December 2018, the Canberra Times published an article on owners’ legal action over defects with particular focus on Elara apartments as the owners prepare for Federal Court action against the builders’ insurance fund, which could end years of legal wrangling and building disputes over the controversial Bruce development To read the full article, […]
Strata Managers Beware: Postal service deeming provisions have changed!
Strata managers need to be aware of this key change if serving notices by post. Section 160 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) has recently been amended. Instead of being deemed served four working days after the item has been posted, the item is now deemed served after seven working days after it has been […]
Flammable Cladding Action Group
The Owners Corporation Network (OCN) is calling on all residential owners facing potential financial imposts due to flammable cladding to contact the OCN on eo@ocn.org.au ASAP, to be part of a Flammable Cladding Action Group. The OCN has seen the benefits of strata owners pooling resources to resolve shared challenges. In addition, OCN is holding […]
University Research Project on Building Defects
Deakin and Griffith Universities are undertaking a research project on building defects. One part of the project involves interviewing stakeholders (including committee members) about their experiences and opinions dealing with building defects. All participant information will be re-identified to provide anonymity. If you are interested and available, the researchers can interview you via teleconference at […]