Insights & Perspectives

The biggest challenge facing many strata communities isn't funding. It's information.

Millions of Australians live in strata properties, yet committee members are often required to make complex decisions involving maintenance, compliance, technology, and capital works with limited expertise and visibility. This article is the first in a series exploring the challenges facing modern strata communities and practical approaches to solving them.

Strata Education & Authority

Strata living can often feel complex, and one of the biggest friction points in any community is confusion over who actually holds the responsibility and authority. Whether it’s distinguishing between what the Owners Corporation decides versus what the Strata Committee or Strata Manager handles, clarity is key to a well run building.

Where Do Strata Levies Actually Go?

"I pay my strata levies, but where does the money actually go?" It is a question I am asked surprisingly often. The answer is not always well understood, and several common misconceptions continue to exist around how levy funds are managed within NSW strata schemes.

Strata Journey Part 1: Five Years of Transformation

Five years ago, we started with a simple question: where is the money going, what risks exist, and what needs to change? What followed was a structured approach to financial analysis, risk assessment, and long-term planning that transformed the way our building is managed. Part 1 of a series on building transformation and proactive leadership.

Strata Journey Part 2: Fixing the Building Before Growing the CWF

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that growing the Capital Works Fund wasn't about collecting more money. It was about stopping money from leaking away through reactive maintenance, inefficient energy use, and escalating insurance costs. Sometimes the fastest way to grow reserves isn't to increase contributions, but to spend smarter.

Strata Journey Part 3: Turning a Conventional Building into a Connected Building

What does it actually take to turn an older apartment building into a modern Connected Building? Here is how laying a gigabit fibre and Wi-Fi backbone unlocked a single, cohesive ecosystem:

• Unified Identity: Centralised apartment profiles.
• Frictionless Access: Mobile control & LPR.
• Smarter Ops: Adaptive LED lighting & sensors.
• Real-Time Comms: Digital lobby displays.