Strata communities across Australia are facing a significant upcoming change: the national phase out of fluorescent lighting by the end of 2027.
For many buildings, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While an LED upgrade will eventually become unavoidable, the transition can also improve energy efficiency, reduce running costs and strengthen sinking fund cashflow, even for schemes with limited funds available…
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On 23 March 2026, a significant development occurred in Queensland with the adjudication of Palmhurst [2026] QBCCMCmr 88. For the first time, an adjudicator recognised that sustained antisocial behaviour within a community titles scheme could amount to public nuisance, thereby enabling a body corporate to take action on behalf of multiple affected residents.
This decision marks an important evolution in the interpretation and application of section 167(1)(a) of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld) (BCCM Act), expanding its reach beyond traditional private nuisance disputes…
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When building defects emerge in a strata scheme, many lot owners assume they are left to navigate costly legal action alone. But what if multiple owners are affected by the same issue?
A recent Supreme Court decision has sparked important discussion around whether bodies corporate can bring class actions on behalf of lot owners for defective building work.
In some cases, just seven affected owners may be enough to get the process started. Understanding your rights early is critical, especially where strict time limits apply.
This article explores what the decision means for bodies corporate and lot owners, and when a class action may become a practical pathway forward…
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For bodies corporate established by the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld), the proper maintenance of lots and common property is extremely important. As with repairs and defects, acting promptly is essential. As we often tell bodies corporate, better to spend $10,000.00 today than $1M tomorrow…
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Many Queensland strata committees are currently receiving notices from service providers introducing a fuel levy surcharge. These notices are becoming more common across cleaning, gardening, waste, and maintenance services.
The key question for committees isn’t just whether the levy applies—but why it’s being introduced and what it means for your scheme’s overall costs.
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Check Your Land Tax New valuations have been released by the Valuer-General for a number of local government areas (LGA), though not all areas have been valued this cycle. The updated valuations apply to several significant LGAs including Gladstone Regional, Gold Coast City, Ipswich City, Lockyer Valley Regional, Noosa Shire, Redland City, Sunshine Coast Regional,…
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Registrations are now open for the Smart Strata Community Education Seminar Series, delivered in partnership with Archers the Strata Professionals, focusing on strata major maintenance projects and how strata communities can manage them effectively.
We invite strata committee members, owners, investors and industry stakeholders to join us across Queensland this May and June as we explore the who, what, when, why and how of planning, funding and delivering major works in strata schemes.
These seminars are designed to educate, engage and connect strata committee members, owners, investors and industry professionals who want to better understand the processes behind successful building maintenance and capital works projects.
To see what these events are like, you can also read the wrap-up from our previous seminar series: Community Education Seminars October 2025 – Wrap-up…
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We are pleased to announce the release of the Airbnb Strata Hosting Guide: Queensland, developed in collaboration with SCAQ and informed directly by feedback from our members.
This guide represents a practical and constructive step forward in supporting responsible short stay accommodation within Queensland strata communities.
As outlined in the Guide, Airbnb worked in partnership with SCAQ to ensure the resource reflects the realities of body corporate living and the operational experience of strata managers.
Importantly, Airbnb has publicly acknowledged the contribution of SCAQ and our members in shaping this resource…
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Conciliation is often viewed as an informal, good faith step in resolving community titles disputes, but its legal consequences are frequently underestimated. The recent QCAT appeal decision in Blue Water Co Pty Ltd v Castillo highlights that what parties agree to in a conciliation session may bind them long after the meeting ends.
Even without a consent order, a conciliation agreement can operate as an enforceable contract, making it crucial for participants to understand the weight their negotiated promises may carry.
How Conciliation Sessions Work…
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A question we’re constantly being asked is: Who has access to CCTV footage? And up until now, we’ve been quite comfortable saying that CCTV footage is a record of the body corporate, meaning it’s available to be accessed by people who are legitimately entitled to it, which includes owners and occupiers.
But that has just changed….
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