SCA Advocacy Round Up

SCA Australasia

The preparation of the 2024 SCA Australasian Strata Insights Full Report is underway, with its release anticipated later this year. This report will provide valuable insights into the strata sector, informing future practices and policies.

Australian Capital Territory

SCA (ACT) has continued to play a key role as a valued stakeholder for the ACT Government, fulfilling a number of requests for feedback in relation to ongoing changes to the UTMA.

SCA (ACT) has begun looking ahead to the 2024 ACT general election later in the year, and has begun to initiate its platform for its election asks that will form the basis of engagement with the competing governments.

New South Wales

SCA (NSW) looks forward to engaging in further reforms processes on the horizon, with stage two strata reforms expected this year, following the initial changes under the Strata Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 which covered areas like strata renewals, pets, committees, meetings, by-laws, and financial notices.

New Zealand

Structural deficiencies in strata buildings and regulatory gaps are of significant concern in New Zealand. As such, both SCA (NZ) and BCCG recently identified an opportunity to work together to facilitate a platform for fostering constructive dialogue, through a landmark industry roundtable. Discussions included topics of legislative changes to long-term maintenance plans, mandatory insurance for building practitioners, and improved surveying standards.

Queensland

SCA (Qld)’s participation in Queensland’s Community Titles Legislation Group continues, where the group is seeking to address key issues such as scheme terminations, sunset clauses, pet policies, towing regulations, smoking, building defects, affordable housing, and insurance.

SCA (Qld) remains actively engaged with government officials ahead of the 26 October Queensland State Election, discussing critical matters such as strata insurance, combustible cladding, building defects, strata manager regulation, workforce issues, management rights, and the ‘Homes for Queenslanders’ plan.

South Australia / Northern Territory

SCA (SA/NT) has recently participated in consultations in South Australia, including on issues relating to Building Indemnity Insurance (BII) advocating for BII coverage for all residential and multi-unit developments, and the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987. Smoke drift remains a persistent issue, and the SCA (SA/NT) Executive Committee is formulating a comprehensive position to present to the government.

In the Northern Territory, SCA (SA/NT) is pushing for legislative reforms to address insurance affordability and availability, conflicting legislation, and debt recovery from owners. Advocacy has included the facilitation of an industry leading roundtable to address issues in strata, alongside meeting with the NT Strata Schemes Supervisor.

Tasmania

SCA (Tas) is continuing to monitor the ongoing review of the governing strata legislation in Tasmania (the Review of the Strata Titles Act 1998), however the process was initiated in 2020 and has continued to stall due to the prioritisation of resources within the Tasmanian Government.

Victoria

SCA (Vic) has engaged with the Department of Transport and Planning to develop a Building Manual for Victoria, aiming to streamline and enhance building management practices. Meanwhile, Solar Victoria’s new program promises to reduce the cost of installing solar PV systems on apartment buildings by up to $2,800 per apartment, promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Western Australia

SCA (WA) continues its proactive advocacy in the strata sector, with a particular focus on engaging with the WA Land Titles Office (Landgate) in issues including the Education, Annual Returns and the incoming Strata Titles Act 1985 review.

Recognising there are significant opportunities for improvement in the legislative framework governing strata management, SCA (WA) is actively engaging with key stakeholders, including a recent meeting with Minister Carey from the WA Government, to discuss critical issues and potential reforms. This ongoing dialogue underscores SCA (WA)’s commitment to enhancing the regulatory environment, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of strata communities across the state.