This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
LifestyleAUSTRALIA “The building ismanaged by two full-


timeonsite buildingmanagers,afull timehandyman and a twenty-four hour security team.Atthemomentthe building management committee is focusing on improving the concourse area,which includes updating theresidents seating area andthe possible provisionofWiFi,”Michael says. Thewharf hasmany unique features


requiring special upkeep such as the sub-structureand sea wall;the wooden construction of the building itself requires constantmaintenanceand care. Thevarious committeesunder theguidance


of thebuildingmanagement committee (BMC) have alwaysmaintainedappropriate levels of sinking fund contributions and the entire complexisinahealthy financial position and able to plan and spend as required. “Thisisatruly unique property tomanage


and encapsulatesmany of the things that make Sydney so glamorous,” Michael concluded.●


JenniferRossisNational Editor of Inside Strata,the magazineofStrataCommunity Australiathe leading training andaccreditationorganisationfor strata managers


fLAT fAcTS


3,000,000 1in10 1in4


Australiansliveinapartmentbuildingsor ‘strata’–that’s


Thefiguresarehigher for cities–around Woolloomooloo is a


truly unique property in a world-class location


Australianstratamanagersmanage in assets. $½trillion


Australianstratamanagingagentsare licensedby thegovernment in order to provideaneffectivelevel of consumer protectionagainst financialwrongdoing andnegligence.TheStrataTitlesAct introducedin 1973coversbothmanagement andtitlesissues.


Work isnowunderway inAustraliaona nationalaccreditationprogrammethat will give professionalrecognitiontothe management skillsandqualificationsof stratamanagers.


16 SpoT The dIffeRence


Theculturemay be different but peopleare thesame wherever they live andhave many of thesameissuesto deal with.Thiswas clearly demonstrated by recent research carried outbythe UniversityofNewSouth Walesthatlookedatthe keychallengesfacing 1500 Australian strataowners andmanagers. Hereare someof thefindings–do they soundfamiliar? nThelevel of understanding of rights andresponsibilities amongownerscould be improved; nExecutivecommittees (Australian equivalentof


RMCs) expresseddifficulties in recruitingpeopletoget involved; nNearly athirdofowners were unhappywiththe performanceoftheir executivecommittee and asimilar numberwere dissatisfied with their propertymanager; nThesinglemost consistent reason for dissatisfactionwas lack of communication; nThemostcommoncauses of neighbourdisputes are parking, noiseand people not sticking to the rules; nAround athirdofthose surveyed thought planning


andbudgetingfor repairs andmaintenancewas inadequate; nAfifthofrespondents reported disagreements amongresidents over repair andmaintenance expenditure; and nMorethanaquarter of residents complained that service chargelevelswere inappropriate. Theweathermaybe


better but evenif youlivein aflatontheother side of the worldwhatthisprovesis that youare stilllikely tohave thesamecomplaintsand worries aswedo in theUK. Source: Inside Strata


Autumn2012 Flat Living


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68