Insurance affordability, short-stay letting, elevating industry standards, and building and construction defects. These are just a few of the issues in the crosshairs of Strata Community Association Queensland (SCAQ).
Ahead of the October 26 state election, General Manager Laura Bos has outlined SCAQ’s key priorities for all political parties. They umbrella under one key message: Homes for LIFE.
“Queenslanders who have purchased units and apartments in strata schemes are entitled to protect and enjoy their abode,” she said. “There’s a huge focus at the moment on boosting supply, but we also need to ensure livability beyond the purchase.”
“SCAQ wants to see development system reform and body corporate legislation reform that strengthens consumer confidence in apartment living and underpins the evolution of one of Queensland’s fastest growing sectors – professional strata management.”
“Professional strata managers support Queensland bodies corporate to manage assets worth over $280 billion and as an industry, we generate over $1.75 billion worth of economic activity annually. It’s important we don’t ignore what happens after the build, homes are for living in.”
SCAQ members understand firsthand the impacts of inadequate body corporate legislation that hasn't kept up with modern life and how this impacts on the liveability of these communities.
"EV's, short-term letting, climate change and its impact on regular maintenance and insurance...all these issues are far more complex in a body corporate environment. We must continue to push the pace of reform to ensure it keeps up with the needs of modern life."
Among the priorities SCAQ advocates for are:
Stricter enforcement of building codes and enhanced certification systems, including mandatory physical inspections by third party building certifiers during multi-unit dwelling construction.
Adoption of a Professional Standards framework for body corporate managers and elevate professionalism through minimum qualification standards.
Extended powers for the Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management to support community living through managing repeat offenders in strata communities, including the ability to impose consequences such as financial penalties.
Rights for bodies corporate to ban or appropriately regulate short-term letting by way of a special resolution by-law.
Expanded Home Warranty Scheme covering buildings above three storeys.
Increased mitigation funding to support insurance affordability and accessibility.
Workforce planning and development support to arrest a chronic skills shortage in the sector.
“The election is a chance for all parties to show their commitment to enhancing and protecting strata communities, which play an ever-growing role in the housing mix,” Ms Bos said.
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