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
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