NSW President Annual Report 2022-23

I am delighted to present an update on the progress and achievements of SCA (NSW) since the beginning of 2023. Our team has been unwavering in our efforts to drive our policy and advocacy agenda further than ever before. With a strong commitment to accountability, we have held ourselves and the broader strata industry to the highest standards for the benefit of the strata sector.

As we look ahead, SCA (NSW) is committed to maintaining a positive and enduring relationship with the NSW Government, ensuring the continued integrity and progress of the strata industry.

I am pleased to highlight some of the key achievements resulting from our ongoing collaboration:

Building Defects: Resolving defects remains a high priority as we work towards building a resilient and sustainable strata sector in NSW. We have maintained a strong working relationship with NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, with our SCA (NSW) Strata Manager members participating in the second Strata Building Defects Survey. These surveys not only serve to provide baseline data on the progress that is being made to resolve building defects in NSW, they also contribute to effective government policy such as Project Remediate and Project Intervene.

Education: SCA (NSW) has launched a new learning platform to support members with their Professional Standard Scheme (PSS) and CPD requirements. Through our Education Centre, we are committed to empowering strata professionals by offering a diverse array of educational opportunities to enhance their expertise, expand their skill set, and elevate the level of service that we provide to the strata community.

Legislative Contributions: With a change of Government in NSW, the long-awaited statutory review to strata legislation was delayed. However, with the first phase of the statutory reforms due to be released later this year, and a second more comprehensive phase due for a further round of public consultation in late 2023, we have provided valuable consultation and submissions to the phase 1 reviews and are well placed to make a significant contribution to phase 2. We have also contributed to New Thinking on Continuing Professional Development, the Draft Home Building Insurance Guidelines, and Off the Plan Contracts.

Property Services Commissioner: SCA (NSW) continues to work closely with the Property Services Commissioner, John Minns, who recognises the vital role the strata sector will play in the next 20 years as approximately 50 per cent of NSW residents are estimated to live in a strata-titled property by 2040. This includes the first ever Strata Industry Roundtable which brought together all stakeholders within the strata sector, including owners, suppliers, regulators, insurers and strata managers to assist shaping the future of Strata in NSW. This has led to initiatives such as Project Transform and Project Elevate that will lay the foundation for truly reformative policies for the benefit of all stakeholders in the NSW Strata Sector.

The Strata Hub: SCA (NSW) continues to work closely with NSW Fair Trading to ensure the smooth implementation of the digital Strata Hub platform, a new annual reporting requirement for Owners Corporations in NSW. This first of its kind platform in Australia demonstrates the NSW Governments commitment to revolutionizing the engagement and empowerment of Strata Communities in NSW, and we are excited about the possibilities Strata Hub presents for consumers in NSW.

Nationally, SCA has released the Phase 2: Electric Vehicles in Strata Challenges Report, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the specific issues surrounding the integration of EVs into strata. Some of the key takeaways are:

• The majority of older buildings in Australia and New Zealand lack adequate electrical infrastructure to accommodate the increased power demand required by EV charging.
• Almost half of apartments are rented, meaning a balance must be struck between consumer demand and owner commitments to EV infrastructure, with government and supplier incentives and funding playing a part.

Additionally, as a result of the collaboration between SCA and the UNSW City Futures Research Centre, the Australasian Strata Insights Report 2022 has been published, offering a data-driven snapshot of the strata industry in Australia and New Zealand. The report highlights several key findings:

• On a national level, more than 1 in 10 Australians live in strata.
• In NSW, nearly 1 in 5 people reside in a strata scheme.
• NSW has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 1 million strata lots. This reflects a 9% growth over two years, indicating the rising popularity of living in strata properties.

Overall, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated members and partners for their continued support. Together, we are driving positive change and ensuring that the strata industry in NSW thrives. As we move forward, SCA (NSW) will continue to lead the way, advocating for our members, shaping policies, and setting high standards for professionalism.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge our outgoing General Manager Sadiye Ince, who dedicated more than a decade of her professional career to serving SCA (NSW). She steadfastly led our secretariat through the COVID-19 Pandemic, and was at the helm during the introduction of the SCA (NSW)Professional Standards Scheme for Strata Managers in NSW. We wish Syd well in her next chapter, both professionally and personally. We are confident that her commitment and unwavering determination will inspire our team to create a bright future for our organisation and the strata community as a whole.

Thank you for your continued commitment to SCA (NSW).