SCA (Vic) President’s Report – Winter 2022

Building on the momentum generated in 2021, Strata Community Association (Vic) continues to meaningfully develop in 2022.

Such development can be measured by our membership and sponsorship growth numbers, and in the metrics of the three-year strategy set out by our national parent organisation, Strata Community Association (SCA) Australasia.

We all know that 2022 has continued to pose many challenges to the way we work and live our lives.

This has included but is not limited to long-unseen economic conditions such as higher levels of inflation, as well as continued shortages and heightened prices for some materials, goods, and services, owing to wide-ranging events affecting Australia and the wider world.

It is with these extraordinary circumstances in consideration that SCA (Vic)’s continued engagement and advocacy work has progressed on a strong note in 2022, with record engagement undertaken with the state government, opposition, and members of the crossbench in this election year.

Three key priorities were identified by SCA (Vic) members as being of critical importance to advocate for at this year’s state election, and into the immediate future, in 2023 and beyond.

These include enhancing the reputation and professionalism of industry and improving consumer rights and protections, preventing, and responding to building defects, and creating more opportunities for sustainable strata living.

Elsewhere, SCA (Vic) continues to progress on several positive policy fronts with Victorian Government agencies and departments, most particularly with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) following the implementation of the Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021 and associated regulations in December last year.

We will continue to navigate through every aspect of these priorities with determination and resolve to support our sector to the fullest extent possible, and to prepare for forthcoming reviews of these in 2024.

I am also pleased to report that SCA (Vic)’s education program of regular virtual and in-person seminars, courses, and presentations, has continued to successfully support our members and raise the bar across industry.

The implementation of a mandatory ethics module in 2021/22 for all SCA (Vic) members is yet another step in this process.

SCA (Vic)’s education and professional development programs equip all members with critical knowledge and insights into a plethora of subjects directly relevant to their day-to-day operations, and their clients’ needs and expectations, from accounting to ethics, insurance to special resolutions.

2022 also saw a successful SCA (Vic) Principals’ Retreat take place at the Peppers Moonah Links Resort, as well as the hosting of the SCA National Principals’ Forum and SCA Australia & New Zealand Conference in Melbourne.

We look forward to the upcoming 2022 CHU, Macquarie Bank SCA (Vic) Symposium from 15-16 September, as well as our 2022 CHU, Macquarie Bank, SCA (VIC) Strata Community Pillar Awards for Excellence on 11 November.

I would like to thank all of our sponsors and members for their invaluable support in 2022, and for continuing with us on our journey in 2023.