the Strata Plus Group

High Court Ruling – Clarity on Liability for Builders, Developers & Owners A recent High Court decision (Pafburn) has reshaped how the Design and Building Practitioners Act (DBP Act) defines liability for construction defects. The High Court ruled that developers and head contractors hold non-delegable statutory duties, making them 100% liable for building defects, even when work is delegated to subcontractors or suppliers. What This Means for Developers and Builders: ✔️ Developers and builders are fully responsible for ensuring quality at every stage of construction. Even when tasks are delegated, liability cannot be shifted downstream. ✔️ This ruling highlights the importance of rigorous oversight, robust contracts, and effective quality control processes to minimise risks. ✔️ While developers and builders must fully compensate owners, cross-claims remain vital to allocating responsibility among subcontractors, suppliers, and other parties. What This Means for Owners Corporations: ✔️ Owners corporations can pursue full economic recovery from upstream parties for construction defects. ✔️ The ruling incentivises developers and builders to prioritise construction quality and compliance, reducing the risk of future disputes. ✔️ By affirming non-delegable duties, the High Court ensures owners are not disadvantaged by fragmented liability among multiple parties. A Collaborative Path Forward This decision calls on all parties in the construction process—developers, builders, subcontractors, and consultants—to collaborate to deliver defect-free projects. It also highlights the need for clear contracts, quality oversight, and proactive risk management to protect everyone’s interests. 👉 Read more on Colin Biggers & Paisley: https://lnkd.in/gnqjMp3p #HighCourt #Strata #BuildingDefects #Construction #Collaboration Image credit #visualelectric

Today marks an incredible milestone as we celebrate 23 years of serving communities across NSW. When David Ferguson opened the doors to Strata Plus in 2001, he began with a single strata scheme and a vision to transform strata management. In 2008, Olivera Ferguson joined as owner and director, bringing invaluable finance, operations, and relationship management expertise from her career in financial services. Together, their vision has blossomed into a thriving organisation trusted to manage over 30,000 lots across six offices. Our growth story is more than just numbers. It's about the relationships we've built, the communities we've helped flourish, and the trust we've earned along the way. As we reflect on these 23 years, we're filled with gratitude for our clients who have chosen us as their strata management partner, our team members who bring their best to work daily, and the communities that have grown alongside us. Looking ahead, we remain committed to the guiding principles that have brought us this far – our commitment to honesty, transparency, and collaboration. #stratamanagement #strata #apartmentliving #anniversary #property

A fantastic opportunity for strata buildings, built after 2014, to contribute to important research while getting valuable insights about their energy performance. #strata #apartments #energy #nathers

NSW Fair Trading is seeking expanded powers to address issues with common property maintenance in strata buildings, with new legislation introduced by Minister Anoulack Chanthivong in Parliament last week. Key provisions include: + Authority to enter common areas during daytime hours without a warrant. + Powers to conduct investigations including testing building elements. + Right to use "reasonable force" to access floors and walls when necessary. + Penalties up to $22,000 for serious breaches. The legislation includes safeguards such as: + Private residences require owner consent or warrant to enter individual lots. + Owners corporations can appeal to NCAT within 28 days. + 7-day notice required before destroying seized items. This marks a significant shift from powers previously limited to new developments, under the NSW Building Commissioner, expanding to all existing strata properties in NSW. What are your thoughts on the new proposed entry and enforcement powers? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g98drTxw #strata #reforms #stratalegislation #apartmentliving #NSW

Significant changes are coming to NSW's strata sector with the introduction of the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. This legislation follows recommendations from the 2021 statutory review and builds on recent changes from the Strata Managing Agents Amendments Act 2024. These reforms represent a comprehensive update to how strata communities operate, focusing on enhanced governance, sustainability, and maintenance standards. Key highlights include: + Strengthened maintenance enforcement powers for Fair Trading + Enhanced sustainability and accessibility pathways + New duties for building managers and strata committees + Streamlined processes for community improvements + Clearer frameworks for financial management #strata #stratareforms #apartmentliving #consumerprotection Read more about the proposed reforms here: https://lnkd.in/gdqKYgnw

Join the Owners Corporation Network of Australia Ltd (OCN) as they present an insightful session with industry experts Benjamin Mees from Building Management Australia and Michael Price from the Strata Plus Group exploring the bright side of strata living! 🏢✨ When equipped with the right guidance and tools, strata living can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Our seasoned experts will share valuable insights on building harmonious communities and maximising the benefits of shared facilities and amenities. Register for this free webinar here: https://lnkd.in/giirmFb7 #strataliving #strata #OCN #apartments #webinar

Members of our Reconciliation Action Plan committee recently visited the Museum of Sydney to experience "Coomaditchie: The Art of Place," an exhibition that brings to life community experiences through the works of First Nations artists. The artists are based in the coastal settlement of Coomaditchie, nestled alongside Coomaditchie Lagoon in the southern suburbs of Wollongong. The Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation was established here in 1993 to provide welfare and advocacy services. It is also active in art projects and community outreach. Through paintings, ceramics, and screen-prints, Coomaditchie artists speak of life in and around the settlement, its history, ecology, and Dreaming stories. Coomaditchie art now enriches the entire Illawarra region – in community spaces, buildings, landscapes, streets, and galleries. This exhibition offers a compelling glimpse into the political, social, and artistic activities of this very special place. Original historical documents reveal the social and political narrative behind the current settlement's establishment, highlighting the community's long campaign for Aboriginal housing. We are grateful to the Museum of Sydney and the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation for this enlightening celebration of First Nations creativity and resilience. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gsUY_2q3 #Reconciliation #FirstNationsArt #RAP #CulturalLearning #Community #Coomaditchie #MuseumOfSydney Image credit: Coomaditchie artists Lorraine Brown and Narelle Thomas’s 2008 artwork Between the Mountains and the Sea. 

Parramatta Lanes Festival is now on! We're proud to share that our Senior Strata Manager, Lani Zaubzer, has been working closely with Parramatta Council's events management team over the past five months to help bring this incredible festival to life! This is one of Western Sydney's biggest festivals, transforming Parramatta's streets and laneways into a bustling celebration of culture, food, and community. Bring your family and friends to experience this fantastic event! #community #westernsydney #parramatta For more details: https://lnkd.in/gJkaFm5u

Are you a customer-oriented and proactive individual with a passion for strata management? We’re seeking a dedicated professional who aligns with our values to join our team as a strata assistant. This presents an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term career in strata management and gain expertise in managing complex developments. If you're not just passionate about customer service, but also detail-oriented, we'd love to hear from you. #strata #openrole #careeropportunity #stratamanagement https://lnkd.in/gGg_zsaG

Our Associate Director, Joshua Jasnos, has teamed up with Daniel Russell from Chambers Russell Lawyers to debate strata legislation at today's Strata Community Association (NSW) convention. What are your thoughts on which areas of strata legislation need the most attention? #Stratalaw #apartmentliving #strata #property