Media Release – INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE
Thursday July 9th, 2015
Attention Chief of Staff/Editors
STATE GOVERNMENT CALLED ON TO LEAD THE WAY IN SUPPORT FOR
SUSTAINABLE LIVING IN WA PROPERTY
The State Government is being called on to take up a “once in a lifetime
chance” and make Western Australia a world leader in sustainable living.
It will be vital for the ongoing growth of the property sector.
As Western Australian property stakeholders await the first draft of game
changing legislative reform, the leading strata title organisation in the west is
calling on the State Government to support a growing movement for sustainable
choices in the state’s biggest property sector, strata and community title.
The reforms, currently being drafted after the conclusion of a stakeholder
consultation process, are considered by many as a boon for sustainable living in
Western Australia; something the peak body for strata and community title in WA
fully agrees with.
“We have to get this right. In our submission, we tabled several key
considerations that we see being vital to the growth of the WA property sector
and the sustainable nature of our strata buildings and communities is certainly
one of those,” Strata Community Australia (WA) President Rachel Cosentino said
today.
“We expect there will be a huge change on the cards for many strata title
properties throughout the state, with sustainable inclusions like solar panels,
water tanks and many more now an option.”
“High density living is the way of the future and for that to be viable, all strata
stakeholders need to have the freedom to make sustainable choices.”
The reason why elements of sustainable home design haven’t always been a
reality for many strata title property owners is because of existing legislation
demanding that any changes to common property must be met by a
unanimous vote from all other owners.
Strata Community Australia (National Office)
Suite 101, Level 1, 845 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067
P 02 9492 8250 | E [email protected] | W www.stratacommunity.org.au
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“What our members and thousands more WA strata stakeholders are dealing
with is a “one vote means no” system that has the ability to seriously affect the
way the majority of communities want to live.”
“Sustainable choices are those that should be supported so we hope the State
Government places some priority on this particular aspect of the reform.”
In addition to the freedom to make sustainable living choices, Strata Community
Australia (WA) says there are several other aspects of existing legislation that
require attention.
“The current status quo sees an excess of red tape within legislation governing
strata title properties owned, managed or occupied by our members. The heart
of the matter is that strata management all across the state is limited in efficiently
self regulating and applying tailored policies to its own buildings, to suit
stakeholder needs,” Ms Cosentino said.
“It’s so important that these reforms achieve some form of modernisation within
WA strata, and beyond sustainability, we would like to see changes across strata
manager licensing, improvements to dispute resolution, simplifying the process of
strata scheme termination and many more.”
Editor Note: Ms Cosentino is President of the Western Australian branch of Strata
Community Australia – refer to SCA (WA) please.
About Strata Community Australia (WA)
Strata Community Australia (WA) Limited (SCA WA) is the peak industry body for
Body Corporate and Community Title Management in Western Australia.
Membership includes body corporate managers, support staff, committee
members and suppliers of products and services to the industry. SCA (WA)
members manage property worth an estimated replacement value of in excess
$30 billion.
SCA (WA) proudly fulfils the dual roles of a professional institute and consumer
advocate. Website: http://wa.stratacommunity.org.au/
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Strata Community Australia (National Office)
Suite 101, Level 1, 845 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067
P 02 9492 8250 | E [email protected] | W www.stratacommunity.org.au
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Media Contact:
Rachel Cosentino
President
Strata Community Australia (WA)
M - 0403 369 111
P - (08) 6313 6100
[email protected]
Released by:
Pat McGuire
Marketplace Communications
0412 748161
[email protected]
SCA (WA) President Rachel Cosentino
Strata Community Australia (National Office)
Suite 101, Level 1, 845 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067
P 02 9492 8250 | E [email protected] | W www.stratacommunity.org.au