National Advocacy Update

An update of the most impactful advocacy activities that have been undertaken nationally and in each jurisdiction across the country.

National

Nationally, SCA has maintained a strong focus on meeting with a variety of government and industry stakeholders around the country to engage in positive discussions and actions to advance the strata sector. Meeting with industry representatives is a key component of SCA’s advocacy activities and allows an opportunity to discover where our goals align and consider potential issues that require further attention. Across government portfolio areas including climate change, energy, building quality, housing and statistics, SCA National has been busy advocating for the strata sector’s interests.

Strata insurance practices have been receiving a lot of attention both internally within SCA with last year’s Deakin Report published, and externally through the Steadfast commissioned review of Strata Insurance Practices and Treasury’s Quality of Advice Review. Through careful consideration of much of this material, the SCA National Board has resolved to enact changes to disclosure and transparency that go further than the existing regimes and develop best practice guides and communications for members to better understand what this might mean in day-to-day strata insurance management. In addition, we have kicked off the electric vehicle taskforce meeting, with a submission to the federal government’s EV strategy review and a State of Play report the first two items on the agenda.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The ACT’s core piece of strata legislation, the Unit Titles Legislation Amendment Act, is continuing to undergo consideration of its proposed ‘Stage 2 Unit Title Reforms. As a core contributor to the Unit Tile Reform Industry

Consultation Panel, SCA (ACT) is seeking to ensure that the frameworks that govern strata living in the ACT are appropriately strengthened.

In the meantime, SCA (ACT) has been proactive in policy and advocacy activities on many fronts. SCA (ACT) has recently collaborated with various government departments on a number of issues, offering submissions to consultations including the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services inquiry into Electric Vehicle Adoption in the ACT, and the Better Regulation Taskforce’s investigation into the impacts of short-term letting on strata.

New South Wales (NSW)

New Zealand (NZ)

In the wake of the royal assent of the Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2022, SCA (NZ) has begun the process of ensuring that the implementation of the proposed changes into legislation is as straightforward as possible.

For example, due to the nearing expiry of the COVID-19 temporary remote meeting clause for NZ, SCA (NZ) has been heavily involved in the development of the regulations surrounding the urgent permanent implementation of this provision. As a result of this input, SCA (NZ) has been assured that its implementation will come before the end of the year, well ahead of the expected 2024 date of implementation for the rest of the provisions.

Queensland (Qld)

After a long battle, the reforms to the Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980 reached a final conclusion, it being the first bill related to body corporate reform to be introduced in Queensland in 20 years. SCA (Qld) provided an immense amount of input and support to the government throughout the consultation process, and is proud of the tangible accomplishments achieved as a result, getting close to all of the recommended changes to the legislation across the line. 

The battle over excessive contracts sold by developers off the plan is beginning to hot up. Management rights contracts can be up to 25 years and are sold by developers with little recourse for lot owners who are saddled paying for them. SCA (Qld) is working hard with Government and industry to ensure equity, consumer protection and fairness for lot owners.

South Australia / Northern Territory (SA/NT)

The challenges facing the rectification of dangerous cladding remain the core policy focus for SCA (SA/NT). In particular, the shifting of cladding risk ratings on a number of properties from ‘extreme’ to ‘low-moderate’ within Adelaide has been cause for significant concern.

The SCA (SA/NT) Cladding Taskforce is continuing to engage with government representatives on both sides of the aisle, to shake the cage on the issue, and drive to ensure the necessary support for rectification is available to at-risk residents.

Tasmania (Tas)

The ongoing reforms to the Strata Titles Act 1998 continue to be considered by the Tasmanian Government, following a stakeholder consultation period earlier this year.

Notwithstanding the sometimes slowly turning wheels of government, SCA (Tas) is busy preparing for the flurry of activity that is to come, when the government reaches its next stages in the push towards reform of the strata sector.

SCA (Tas) is encouraged that both the Tasmanian Government and the Tasmanian Land Titles Office is reliant SCA’s expertise as the peak professional association in the industry, sharing our vision of a more robust and prosperous Tasmanian strata sector.

Victoria (Vic)

SCA (Vic) has been heavily entrenched in the Victorian Election campaign over the past months, with advocacy efforts built upon election priorities based on sustainability, increased consumer protection, and building defect rectification.

Western Australia (WA)

The recent policy focus for SCA (WA) has been to contribute towards the significant regulatory reviews that are currently being undertaken in the state. Specifically, close engagement with Landgate on the issue of educational qualifications in the strata sector, through the working group with the agency that regulates strata in WA, Landgate.

Through collaboration with Landgate and other property industry body representatives, including the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) and the Property Council. SCA (WA) is working towards implementing educational requirements for strata industry operators that will bring a best-practice approach to WA, consistent with other advanced jurisdictions across the country. SCA (WA) strongly believes that higher education standards within the strata industry will uplift the sector, and drive improved outcomes for end consumers.