State based

SELF-RESOLUTION — WORKING THROUGH ISSUES TOGETHER

Many people expect governing bodies to enforce compliance when disputes arise in community titles schemes. However, the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld) emphasises self-management, balancing individual rights with shared responsibilities on the assumption residents should have the capacity to resolve many issues themselves before seeking formal intervention.

Self-resolution is the foundation of effective dispute management in community living. While formal processes like conciliation are available, proactive and thoughtful engagement often resolves issues more efficiently.

Even when formal intervention is necessary, strong self-management and collaboration skills can make the process smoother and more successful…

BUILDING DEFECTS: CAN A BODY CORPORATE BRING A CLASS ACTION ON BEHALF OF LOT OWNERS?

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…

WHO CAN LEGALLY ACT AS A PROJECT MANAGER FOR YOUR BODY CORPORATE IN QUEENSLAND?

In Queensland’s building and construction industry, the role of a “Client-Side Project Manager” is commonly used across strata and body corporate projects, particularly for defect remediation, façade works, and capital upgrades.

However, what many committees and managers don’t realise is that this role is not formally recognised as an exempt category under legislation. Instead, it is regulated under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (QBCC Act), which focuses on what activities are being performed, not what the role is called.

This distinction is critical—and often misunderstood…

ELECTRICITY MARKET UPDATE

Electricity prices across Queensland are shifting again, with recent Electricity Market Update data showing rising costs and increased volatility. For strata committees and owners, this matters—because energy is one of the most significant and unpredictable operating expenses in a building. Understanding what’s driving these changes can help committees make more confident, informed decisions.

1ST SEMINAR SPEAKER ANNOUNCED: TODD GARSDEN ON MAJOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

We’re pleased to introduce one of our expert speakers for the upcoming Smart Strata Community Education Seminar Series — Todd Garsden, who leads the body corporate practice at Mahoneys Lawyers & Advisors. Todd will be joining our panel discussions across the May/June seminar series, where we’ll be exploring major strata maintenance projects and the who, what, when, why and how of managing major works…

2026 STATE VALUATIONS RELEASED FOR SOME LGAS

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,…

REGISTRATIONS OPEN! MAJOR STRATA MAINTENANCE PROJECTS SEMINAR SERIES

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…

CCTV FOOTAGE A GREY ZONE FOR BODY CORPORATE COMMITTEES

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….

HELP, HOW DO I SELL MY STRATA UNIT?

With the new seller disclosure regime and new REIQ contract in force from 1 August 2025, sellers are having some difficultly in ensuring all the relevant information is supplied, so how do I sell my Strata unit?

There are two parts required to enable a signed contract.

These are a complete Seller disclosure form and additional disclosures in the REIQ Sale Contract…

$60 MILLION AVAILABLE TO MAKE NORTH QUEENSLAND STRATA PROPERTIES CYCLONE RESILIENT

The Australian and Queensland Governments are helping improve the resilience of strata title properties in North Queensland against future tropical cyclones.

Through the Strata Resilience Program (SRP), grants of up to $150,000 covering 75 per cent of eligible improvement costs, are available per body corporate to undertake resilience works including…