Registered by Australia Post Print Post No. 100023799
Issue 273 | May 2019 | $13.75 inc. GST
The Monthly Magazine for Accommodation Industry Professionals
www.accomnews.com.au
Cover Profile: Caribbean Noosa
Other Profiles: St George’s Defence Holiday Suites
Management Rights:
Mahoneys
The Chinese Phenomenon
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The legal stuff...
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Inside our May issue Front Desk Editor's Note: A problem shared....................................... 05
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News in Brief............................................................................. 06 Special Report: Management Rights – The Chinese Phenomenon....10 ARAMA Report: Long-term certainty equals value......................................14 NZ Report: Management rights in NZ.....................................................15
Disclaimer Any mention of a product, service or supplier in editorial is not indicative of any endorsement by the author, editor or publisher. Although the publisher, editor and authors do all they can to ensure accuracy in all editorial content, readers are advised to fact check for themselves, any opinion or statement made by a reporter, editor, columnist, contributor, interviewee, supplier or any other entity involved before making judgements or decisions based on the materials contained herein. Resort News, its publisher, editor and staff, is not responsible for and does not accept liability for any damages, defamation or other consequences (including but not limited to revenue and/or profit loss) claimed to have occurred as the result of anything contained within this publication, to the extent permitted by law. Advertisers and Advertising Agents warrant to the publisher that any advertising material placed is in no way an infringement of any copyright or other right and does not breach confidence, is not defamatory, libellous or unlawful, does not slander title, does not contain anything obscene or indecent and does not infringe the Consumer Guarantees Act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Moreover, advertisers or advertising agents agree to indemnify the publisher and its’ agents against any claims, demands, proceedings, damages, costs including legal costs or other costs or expenses properly incurred, penalties, judgements, occasioned to the publisher in consequence of any breach of the above warranties. © 2019 Multimedia Pty Ltd. It is an infringement of copyright to reproduce in any way all or part of this publication without the written consent of the publisher.
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State Report: The broadening scope of anti-bullying laws..................16 BCCM Report: Holding the purse strings – Part 1.....................................18 SCA Report: Queensland property law reform update....................................................................18 1Management Legal Ease: Buyer beware: Warnings of ‘rorts’ for new apartment buyers................................................... 20
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By All Accounts: Trust account audit issues...................................................21 Thinking MR: Let's talk...................................................................................... 22 Motel News: Room rates – Supply & Demand....................................... 23 Intonet: It's a scam mate!.......................................................................24 Strata Trends: Singletons downsizing to apartments............................ 25 Customer reviews valued more than the brand......... 25
PO Box 1080, Noosaville BC, Queensland, Australia 4566 Phone: (07) 5440 5322 Fax: (07) 5604 1680 mail@accomnews.com.au www.accomnews.com.au
EDITOR Trish Riley, editor@accomnews.com.au STAFF WRITERS Kate Jackson
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DESIGN & PRODUCTION Richard McGill, production@accomnews.com.au
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The Last Resort........................................................................ 32 Events & Appointments
News............................................................................................. 36 Property New Manager Profiles........................................................... 40 AccomProperties Sales Report......................................... 40 Profiles Caribbean Noosa: Country people at heart....................................................... 46
KEY
Suppliers share their views in one-off, topical pieces
International Tourism............................................................ 28
Developments
CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Morgan, Arvo Elias, Carlyn Topp, Chris Irons, Col Myers, George Clarke, Grant Mifsud, Jonathan Hanaghan, Mike Phipps, Paul Morton, Simon Barnard and Trevor Rawnsley.
General editorial. Case studies and features may cite or quote suppliers, please be aware that we have a strict ‘no commercial content’ guideline for all magazine editorial, so this is not part of any commercially funded advertorial but may be included as relevant opinion. Happy reading!
Tourism Report..........................................................................27
Events........................................................................................... 34
SUBSCRIPTIONS Gavin Bill, subscriptions@accomnews.com.au
Commercially funded supplier profile or supplier case study
Tourism
Appointments........................................................................... 33
ADVERTISING Stewart Shimmin, advertising@accomnews.com.au
Supplier information or content
How a project manager can save you money.............. 26
49 FRONT DESK
St George’s Defence Holiday Suites: A haven for many..................................................................... 49 Preferred Suppliers The Preferred Supplier Directory...................................... 53
ResortNews | May, 2019
Meeting with a resident manager recently, I was stunned to hear her say “the monthly ‘Ladies in Management’ luncheons are my saving grace. I get to leave the property, socialise with like-minded people for a couple of hours and share all those niggly little problems that I thought were unique to our business”. When thinking about it however, I’m not that surprised. Despite being ‘people centric’, managing a business within the accommodation industry, particularly if it’s management rights, can be isolating. Comprised of long hours, a busy schedule, high demands and being intrinsically competitive in nature doesn’t allow for much down-time or socialising. Having a well-established network is an important part of our lives though, and the easiest way to expand that network is to build on the relationships with people you know; family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Think about it, who would you ask if you needed an accountant, an electrician, a plumber, a dry-waller, a painter or landscaper? You would likely ask a family member, friend or close colleague if they know anyone they could recommend or perhaps you would go to hiPages or Google. The depth of knowledge and experience from a group of people can be staggering.
May, 2019 | ResortNews
EDITOR'S NOTE
A problem shared… Networking is a great way to tap into advice and expertise that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get hold of Trish Riley, Editor editor@accomnews.com.au Attending meetings and social events hosted by your industry association or community group is a great way to connect with people in your field, and having like-minded business owners to talk to gives you the opportunity to air (and share) those difficult questions and receive feedback. Discussing other points of view really expands your knowledge base, and allows you to see things from a broader perspective. Learning from other’s “best practices” also saves time, energy and resources. In addition to getting advice from them on all sorts of things related to your business (or personal life) and obtaining that important work-life balance, you also have the opportunity to help someone with problems or issues within their business, and there is great satisfaction from being able to give back. Networking is a great way to tap into advice and expertise that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get hold of. Just make sure you are getting solid advice from the right person – someone
that actually knows about what you need to know and is not just giving you their opinion on something that they have no or very little experience in. How often do we hear “It’s not WHAT you know, but WHO you know”. This is so true in business. If you want a really successful business, then you need to have a great source of relevant connections in your network that you can call on when you need them. Networking provides you with a great source of connections, and really opens the door to with make contact with highly influential people that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to easily talk to or find. It’s not just about who you are networking with directly either – that person will already have a network you can tap into as well. So, ask the right questions to find out if the person you are networking with knows who you want to know! It’s been said that we are largely the sum of the six people we spend the most time with and that the people that you hang around with and talk to influence who you are and what you do, so
FRONT DESK
it is important to be surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting people that help you to grow and thrive as a business owner. Networking is great for this, as business owners that are using networking are usually people that are really going for it, positive and uplifting. And for those that it doesn’t come easily to, remember that by pushing yourself to talk to people you don’t know, you will increase your confidence and get better at it. This is really important as a business owner, as your business growth is very dependent on talking to people and making connections. Lastly, and this one is more personal than business related, but is a big benefit none-theless. Many friendships form as a result of networking because (mostly) you are all like-minded business owners that want to grow your businesses, and you meet and help each other regularly, so naturally strong friendships tend to form. Get out there and get chatting. As always, happy reading, I hope that you enjoy this issue.
05
Queensland continues to reach domestic tourism highs
As Queensland tourism operators capitalised on a bumper Easter break, new data showed a record number of domestic visitors spent more than ever before in 2018. Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said National Visitor Survey showed 24 million Australian visitors spent more than $18 billion in Queensland last year. “This data shows our domestic tourism industry grew by more than 15 percent last year, outstripping both NSW and Victoria – that’s a sweet treat at Easter,” she said. “It just goes to show that our strategy to grow Queensland’s tourism industry and create more local jobs is working. “We restored the $188 million cut from the tourism industry by the LNP and we’ve allocated record funding for this sector. “Now we can boast record gains in our share of the cash domestic visitors spend in Australia consecutively for the last four years. This is a huge victory for our tourism industry.” Ms Jones said record expenditure and corresponding growth in market share also proved the success of Queensland’s ‘Find your perfect next’ campaign, reviving the
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Mismanagement blamed for dingo attacks
much-loved ‘beautiful one day, perfect the next’ slogan. “The campaign highlights everything that makes Queensland the perfect holiday destination, showcasing the breadth of experiences our state has to offer,” she said. “We’re also partnering with the private sector to deliver new tourism attractions. “We’ve seen the re-opening of Daydream Island Resort in the Whitsundays this month along with the announcement that Australia Zoo will embark on an $8 million wildlife camping project. “Investments like these will ensure our tourism industry continues to grow under the Palaszczuk Government.” According to Tourism Research Australia’s latest National Visitor Survey, 24.08 million Australian visitors spent $18.26 billion in Queensland in the year ending December 2018 growth of 10.6 per cent and 15.6 per cent respectively. Ms Jones said growth in regions like the Whitsundays, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Coast and the Sunshine Coast highlighted the diversity of Queensland’s tourism offerings.
An explosion in tourist numbers is contributing to an increase in dingo attacks on Queensland’s World Heritagelisted Fraser Island, says a leading preservation group. The warning follows a serious attack earlier this month when dingoes dragged a toddler from a camper trailer as he slept, fracturing the child’s skull. The child’s father fought off the animals and the 14-month-old is recovering well following surgery, but the incident marks the third serious attack by dingoes on the island this year. A boy and his mother were chased and mauled by dingoes in February and a young boy was bitten on the legs in January. Queensland environment minister Leeanne Enoch has launched an urgent review into dingo management on the island and ranger patrols were stepped up over the Anzac Day long weekend. Ernest Healy, secretary of the National Dingo Preservation and Recovery Program says “long-term mismanagement” of the population on the island by Queensland authorities is a contributing factor to recent attacks.
INDUSTRY
“Tourism numbers to Fraser Island have grown over the past decade to mass proportions which are not consistent with the preservation of the environmental and wildlife values which are the basis of the Island’s World Heritage Listing status,” he told local media. “What should be managed as a high conservation, ecotourism location of world significance is being marketed as a cash cow for mass tourism. Much of this mass tourism impacts on dingo breeding locations and the dingoes simply cannot avoid the human traffic. “Instead of tourist visitation to the island being managed as a privilege, and visitor numbers restricted accordingly, Fraser Island is being managed as a Disney style theme park.” Aboriginal elders agree the current system is not working, saying tourists need to be held accountable for irresponsible actions – such as feeding the wild animals and approaching them for photos. Mr Healy says camping on Fraser Island should be limited to designated fenced camping areas which exclude dingoes. ResortNews | May, 2019
Millions of Chinese card holders to use Queensland's easy pay systems Queensland will be one of the easiest places in the world for Chinese tourists to visit following a new marketing agreement signed with global financial company UnionPay International. UnionPay is a global card scheme company with the world’s largest cardholder base of more than seven billion cards issued to customers across 52 countries and regions. It’s the second deal of its kind, after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk brokered a landmark partnership with the giant Alibaba Group just last year. The Premier said we want to make it as easy and seamless as possible for Chinese tourists to travel to Queensland. “We aim to make Queensland the most payment-friendly state in Australia for Chinese visitors for more and more tourists mean more jobs for our state,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “This UnionPay deal plus the Alibaba partnership
– a service that has more than 666 million mobile monthly users on its retail marketplaces in China – makes us the undisputed leaders in this space in Australia.” Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said data released last month showed China remained Queensland’s
largest market for international tourists. “Chinese visitors spent more than $1.4 billion last year, an all-time record and a 25.4 percent increase on 2017. “While there has been a considerable take-up of UnionPay cards by businesses in Queensland not all operators realise they have the capability to accept
UnionPay transactions. “If a Queensland tourism business banks with one of the big four, all they simply need to do is contact their bank and request UnionPay capabilities,” Ms Jones said. “This partnership offers a unique opportunity to reach high-value travellers through new targeted channels,” he said.
‘Site of bigotry’: Protestors besiege Brisbane hotel A group of protesters shouting “shame Sultan, shame” gathered outside Brisbane’s Royal on the Park Hotel recently for the first anti-Brunei rally in Australia.
It mirrors similar rallies being held outside hotels around the world owned by the Sultan, including The Dorchester in London where hundreds gathered last weekend with placards and chants to protest the new laws.
The action by some 70 campaigners follows the introduction of Bruneian laws allowing stoning as a punishment for adultery and gay sex.
The Royal on the Park is owned by Sejahtera One (Australia) Pty Ltd, which has a single shareholder, the Brunei Investment Agency.
May, 2019 | ResortNews
The agency is a wealth fund managed on behalf of the Brunei government. Co-organiser of the Boycott Brunei in Australia rally, Peter Hackney, told SBS News: “It’s a site of bigotry in Brisbane because it’s owned by the Sultan of Brunei and we’re just hoping that the pressure we can put on Brunei’s commercial interests will force a back down from the from the Sultan. INDUSTRY
“On its own, it’s not going to do anything but as part of a wider action around the world I think it will. “It really is only through sustained pressure on the commercial side and the political side that this will work, like one little rally here, one rally there is nothing but if it’s all together, that sort of sustained pressure it does have a chance of succeeding.”
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How will the federal budget affect the hospitality industry? The federal government has released its budget, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg forecasting a $7.1 billion dollar surplus in 2019-20. The Treasurer’s first budget includes an increase to the instant asset write-off threshold as well as expanded eligibility, tax relief, more funding for training and changes to visas. Around 3.4 million businesses will be eligible for the instant asset write-off, with access expanded to include medium-sized businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million. “This will cover an additional 22,000 businesses,” says Frydenberg. “More than 350,000 small businesses have accessed the instant asset write-off and now we expect more to do so.”
of an Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment, which is set to create 80,000 apprenticeships. The package includes incentive payments of $8,000 per placement for businesses (up from $4,000) and $2,000 for apprentices in specific industries.
Additionally, the threshold will be increased from $25,000 to $30,000. This builds on the already announced increase from $20,000 to $25,000. The changes came into effect on Tuesday 2 April and will remain accessible until 30 June 2020.
The list of eligible occupations will be reviewed annually.
Businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million will also benefit from a tax cut, with the current 27.5 percent rate dropped to 25 percent by 2021-22 — five years earlier than planned. The unincorporated small business tax discount will also see an increase, from 8 percent to 13 percent in 2020-21 and to 16 percent from 2021. The VET sector is set to receive $525 million over five years. Part of this funding will go towards the introduction
The government will establish a National Skills Commission to oversee $2.8 billion annual investment in VET. Driving research and analysis of future skills needs across industry to ensure national labour market priorities are addressed will be a key function of the Commission. While it welcomed the increased spending in the sector, industry body R&CA said the employer incentive should be widened to cooks, chefs and café and restaurant managers
which are occupations that have significant shortages.
Visas The base visa application charge (VAC) for all visa subclasses (except for visitors), will be increased by 5.4 percent from 1 July 2019. The reduction in annual migration cap from 190,000 to 160,000 was also confirmed by the budget. According to R&CA, 47.3 percent of their business-owners reported experiencing difficulties in filling positions last year. “The forecast employment growth for the sector is for an additional 74,700 jobs by May 2023, and without skilled migration, the industry simply will not have enough people,” says Payne.
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INDUSTRY
ResortNews | May, 2019
Thousands of proper ty investor s
set for tax audit The Australian Taxation Office has announced that it is doubling the number of audits on “dodgy” rental deductions as the vast majority are being submitted incorrectly. According to Assistant Commissioner Gavin Siebert, rental deductions will be made a top priority at the ATO due to the number of mistakes being identified.
necessary, we will commence audits,” he said.
“We expect to more than double the number of in-depth audits we conduct this year to 4,500, with a specific focus on over-claimed interest, capital works claimed as repairs, incorrect apportionment of expenses for holiday homes let out to others, and omitted income from accommodation sharing,” Mr Siebert said.
“A random sample of returns with rental deductions found that nine out of 10 contained an error,” Mr Siebert said.
“Once our auditors begin, they may search through even more data, including utilities, tolls, social media and other online content to determine whether the taxpayer was entitled to claims they’ve made.
“Where we identify claims of concern, ATO staff will investigate and prompt taxpayers to amend unjustifiable claims. If
“This tax time, our message to taxpayers is clear. If you are renting out a room or a property, any money you earn must be declared as income and any
deductions you claim may need to be apportioned for private use.” The methods used to conduct the audits, according to Mr Siebert, include a range of third-party information: financial institution data, property purchases and rental bonds from all states and territories, and online accommodation booking platforms, which is all scrutinised by “sophisticated analytics”.
So what key issues are the ATO checking? The interest on loans to purchase rental properties can be claimed as a deduction, but using the loan money for anything else other than the loan’s intended purpose means that the interest on that part of the loan cannot be claimed. Repairing or maintaining
something that is broken, damaged or deteriorating can be deducted immediately, but improvements or renovations, which include damage that existed at the time of purchase, count as capital works and can be deducted over a number of years.
The ATO’s number one cause of claim refusal is a lack of records being kept, such as receipts and other documents to back up claims being made. By trying to make fake records, this can result in higher penalties and even prosecution. Investors who deliberately over-claim can see penalties of up to 75 percent of the claim, according to the ATO. Financial year 2017-18 saw more than 1,500 audits of rental claims, and handed out a total of $1.3 million in penalties. Smart Property Investment
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May, 2019 | ResortNews
hotelinteriors.com.au • 1300 876 055 INDUSTRY
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Management rights:
The
Chinese
Phenomenon By Trish Riley, Editor
When an interest or occurrence becomes a trend and that trend becomes a phenomenon, particularly in a multibillion dollar industry such as strata and management rights, it’s a given that stakeholders (including those at a government level) start to pay attention. The phenomenon in question is the up-swell in numbers of management rights being purchased and managed by ‘new Australians’, and more specifically those of Asian heritage – and let me excuse myself up-front; while I make reference to Chinese throughout this report, I am well aware and respectful of the fact that this group is culturally diverse and includes members born in Australia as well as from multiple North East Asian countries. As with this inherent diversity however, when it comes to understanding the phenomenon it seems there are more questions than answers, and that there may still be significant ground to cover before we can claim to be fully integrated. It’s worth noting when there is so much at stake, individually, commercially and from an industry perspective, that perhaps the future of
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management rights lies somewhere between the top-down style of the West and the bottom-up maturation of the East. We have much to learn from each other. As with many aspects of this burgeoning industry, there is little empirical data to draw on in terms of statistics but based on the widely supported view that there are approximately four thousand properties supporting a management rights or onsite manager business nationally, together with the number of Australian Property Managers Alliance (APMA) members and the total number of Asian students that have attended specialist training over the past ten years, it is thought that Chinese-held management rights sits between 20 to 25 percent of the industry. Of more interest however, is that about 60 percent of current transactions passing through brokerages and legal firms are being made by Chinese applicants. “Chinese buyers are spending millions of dollars buying into management rights for apartment buildings,” says Resort Brokers agent Alex Cook, “and while their preference traditionally was buildings with permanent residents rather than those with holiday letting, we are seeing these buyers, as they gain more experience, targeting the rights to new
and off-the-plan projects. “Top of the shopping list obviously are buildings where the body corporate pays a substantial salary for caretaking.” Speaking of the growing trend, John Mahoney, managing partner of Mahoneys says: “The figures we are seeing are not that surprising. In the past, brokers did a great job of marketing management rights in China and elsewhere, and the multi-cultural industry we have today is a reflection of that. “Management rights is capital reliant, and while it has been difficult for most to access finance recently, funding is typically not a problem for Chinese buyers. Being able to buy into businesses like these also meets the fairly arduous Australian immigration criteria,” says John. David Jiang of Next Realty, says management rights present ideal opportunities for many Chinese people seeking to move to Australia under the business migration scheme. He should know. David, who left behind a highly paid executive position in Shanghai to bring his family to Australia, is also the resident manager of an inner-Brisbane complex. He knows the requirements of the immigration process and is eager to use his extensive business development skills and understanding of management
INDUSTRY
rights to help skilled migrants invest in businesses that offer greater security and income. “For years, Australia’s increasing trade and diplomacy with China have been laying the groundwork for the demand growth we are experiencing. Given the rapid rise of the Chinese middle class and increasing numbers of international students visiting our shores, that growth is set to continue. A new generation of Chinese migrants is using the wealth generated by their nation’s emerging free market economy to buy businesses in Australia. “But it’s not as straightforward as it appears. Some sales agents eager to attract clients have been known to ignore or fail to accurately explain the possible challenges new operators can face, such as meeting the requirements of the day-to-day business operation,” adds David. John Mahoney agrees. “While some operators have a thorough understanding of the business and are going from strength to strength, there are others that have little or no knowledge of what they are purchasing. They ‘buy’ into the concept of a self-managed business that comes with a home, a secure income and good prospects for capital gain - and let’s not forget the lifestyle! “What prospective managers need most is accurate, knowledgeable advice from reputable brokers ResortNews | May, 2019
who understand their culture and can effectively and honestly communicate vital information upfront. Those brokers should ideally also have experience of the business model they are recommending. “This includes what to expect regarding the legal process. Contract law is a relatively new concept to some Chinese, and in a society that traditionally negotiates and re-negotiates the terms of an arrangement several times, the fact that management rights agreements (and the terms contained therein) are binding, can be problematic,” says John. “All too often we see instances of a misunderstood contract or clause, such as managers forgetting to exercise their option in time and there’s little we can do about it; it’s heart-breaking but also completely avoidable. “Most managers (including Caucasians) getting into management rights are generally unaware of how labour intensive it can be or the level of responsibility a manager has, and it is the fundamental things such as taking care of the garden or level of cleanliness that create the biggest issues. When a manager is underperforming in those areas, the body corporate may look for other issues such as statutory matters, and even if a former manager may not have been entirely compliant, issue can be taken with the new managers. Without sufficient information, training or support, the situation can quickly get out of hand. “There are brokers in the industry who believe that this kind of cautioning would make
May, 2019 | ResortNews
management rights harder to sell,” adds John, “but having seen managers lose everything they have worked hard for, because they didn’t fully understand the business, is unacceptable. “The Chinese have a propensity for education and an inherent business acumen, not to mention large investments at stake, so if there is full disclosure at the onset, an understanding of the process and the expectations, and ongoing training available, I believe we will have more successful outcomes.” Lynda Kypriadakis, founder of Diverse FMX and the Australian Building Management Accreditation (ABMA), agrees wholeheartedly. “I have worked with a lot of Chinese buyers that are thriving as complex managers, and they are grateful, not just for the fact that they were introduced to management rights, but also for the opportunity to build a business and life in Australia. “The difficulty with management rights is that you don’t need specific qualifications or experience to get into it, but once onsite you are then held responsible for the overall health and safety of residents, the growth of a business and multiple investments and a plethora of compliance regulations. There are over 100 Acts, regulations, Australian standards and Codes of Practice imposing duties and responsibilities on managers and committees, and it’s important that those involved; those who will be held liable, know and understand what they are,” says Lynda.
“In my experience, Chinese operators are business savvy and they tend to work exceptionally hard and understand the need for professionalism and providing value. Problems surface however, around things like gardens, cleanliness and record keeping when the parties involved have a different understanding of what is required or even why it may be considered important. “In Australia we love our gardens. They tend to represent the status and standing of the building itself, and we love to ‘show them off’; but for those with different cultural norms, this may seem like a quirky concept. “In the past, a manager’s inferred duties and work schedules were generic in nature and intentionally vague. Now however, in order to avoid misunderstandings and disputes, there is a need for clear and concise terminology, thorough handover procedures and additional training,” says Lynda. Wanting a clearer picture of how these peculiarities are understood and accepted at a grass-roots level, I spoke to Michelle Lim, a lawyer at Mahoneys who has extensive dealings with managers when problems come up. “Obviously language creates its own barrier,” says Michelle. “A number of new managers don’t speak English fluently and they may need their children or other family members to assist. In an industry where relationship building is critical, the ability to communicate effectively is very important. “In terms of the gardens, we are often dealing with people that have never experienced having
INDUSTRY
a garden to care for. They grew up in high-rise apartments in overcrowded cities, and if there was a garden in the vicinity it was taken care of by council workers. It’s a significantly different scenario from how the average Australian grew up. “Our recommendation to managers is that, in addition to attending specialised training, they are encouraged to sit down and prepare detailed check lists of their daily, weekly, monthly and annual duties and responsibilities, and then stick to them. Do your job, and do it well. Empowerment comes from knowing and understanding the role from the outset, and one can’t fall prey to bullying if you know your rights regarding standards of compliance. “Last but not least, new managers need to remember that there are specialists in the industry for a reason,’ says Michelle. “The shared information within the tight knit Chinese community may not always be accurate; what happens to one may not necessarily be applicable or relevant to others – every property comes with its own unique set of circumstances.” Understanding the power and influence of the Chinese community, Carl Wu, chairman of the Australian Property Management Alliance (APMA) and owner of two management right operations and a renovation business says: “The growth, in terms of the number of Chinese operators in this industry, was the primary reason for establishing APMA.
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behaviours such as cheating are kept to a minimum, trust must be established before any serious business relationship can be cemented. Chinese people prefer to establish a strong relationship before closing a deal and seldom start a discussion or meeting by getting straight to the point about business. The Chinese are strongly influenced by Confucianism, which emphasises respect for education, authority and age, and although modern urban Chinese may not adhere to Confucian principles as rigidly as previous generations, these principles continue to underpin many customs and business practices.
We recognised the need to learn from each other and to raise the level of professionalism across the board. “We also identified that as an industry group of almost 1200 members (Australian and Chinese), we should be able to take advantage of the economies of scale and leverage better pricing for common services such as insurance, software and others. “Ultimately, APMA want to work with all other industry bodies to ensure that their collective voice is heard by industry and government when it comes to future law reform. It’s important that the sector is not further divided and that we have a mutual agenda that is fair for all.” Typical of the migrant operator, Carl was a qualified engineer when he arrived in Australia 28 years ago. Battling to find work in a poor economy when the interest rate was 18 percent, so he became a kitchen hand and then a factory hand before opening his own business making timber furniture. In time, this operation was moved to China where he turned his hand to manufacturing and importing furniture for companies such as Harvey Norman and Amart. In 2000, Carl stopped manufacturing and opened a company doing building and shop fitting, unaware of the high pressure and long working hours at night and over holidays and weekends. It couldn’t last, and as with so many Chinese operators, Carl swopped the
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insecurity of contract work for the seemingly low risk business of management rights and the opportunity to earn a steady income and have flexible hours. “As everyone finds out, management rights is hard work but the opportunities offered in this industry are significant. I am often asked about my experiences, the pains and the gains, and will continue to actively encourage those within the industry,” says Carl. When asked what he thought other Chinese operators could benefit from most, he says: “Once you have clearly defined your duties and things are working well – whether they are handled inhouse or are outsourced, ensure that you keep good records. More than that, understand why you need to keep good records and why you need to keep ahead of any regulation changes. Help each other by networking and sharing experiences, and most importantly, communicate with your owners all the time. “It’s important,” says Carl, that even if you have difficulty with the language, you consistently demonstrate your willingness and enthusiasm for the property and the value that you offer.” Speaking as honorary president of the APMA and a trainer of specialised management rights courses including RLAs, the Australian Resident Accommodation Managers Association MRITP and ABMA training in Mandarin through Professional Real Estate Training
Australia and Knowledge Bank, Paul Shih says: “As the property market attracts more buyers from diverse cultures, professional training to increase cultural intelligence is becoming almost mandatory. Developing increased awareness of personal bias and developing respect for the habits, customs and norms of other cultures is the first step to building positive relationships and laying the foundation for mutual trust. “By understanding the visible and invisible factors of culture and becoming more proficient cross-cultural communicators, stakeholders will be able to avoid, and/or de-escalate potential conflict situations as well as create a more productive and positive work and living environment. “Certainly, the most obvious consideration when aiming for better understanding of the changing industry are our fundamental cultural differences, and how they influence our behaviours.” Where Caucasians, and Australians in particular, tend to be naively altruistic, Chinese may appear to be quite suspicious and cold towards strangers with whom relationships have not been established. One needs to remember that in China, chronic suspicion typically prevails. In business transactions, a great deal of adulteration of goods is practised; for example, weights and measures are juggled, and to protect one's interest and ensure that opportunistic
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This manifests in several practical customs that are observed. As we are well aware, one of these virtues is to respect authority (title) and the elderly (seniority). Someone with authority, often elderly and with a good reputation, can ask favours of others. That sounds ideal doesn’t it, but when taken literally or out of context in a committee or body corporate meeting environment, it can easily lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Compounding this potential disconnect is the engrained principle urging individuals to avoid discord and confrontation, and to rather adopt a nonassertive approach to conflict resolution. “Reaching a win-win or compromise is obviously the best outcome for all concerned,” says Paul, “but in situations where there is antagonism, disrespect and even bullying by entitled committee or body corporate members or lot owners, the inability of the manager to confidently address and resolve the issue may lead, in the most extreme instances, to managers leaving and properties being sold.” These types of scenarios are also referenced in the 12-month research study recently undertaken by associate professor Sacha Reid and Dr Aaron Hsiao of Griffith University into the management rights industry, and more specifically new management rights owners. Seeking a greater understanding of how and why they entered management rights, Drs Reid and Hsiao interviewed operators about their experiences and what information and services they believe are required in ResortNews | May, 2019
has also highlighted the lack of digital systems or platforms in the industry that exist for the dissemination of information, assistance and self-regulation.
order to make the industry more amenable to new Australians. “As identified by others, it takes confidence to enter into a foreign business environment when English is not your native language,” says Dr Reid, “and even though the majority of operators are highly educated and hold a range of university degrees, this isn’t always apparent as the industry complexities and cultural gap can seem insurmountable.
“The overall take away from the research,” says Dr Reid, “is that the majority of Chinese managers are doing exceptionally well and committees have praised the standards being achieved. Unfortunately, we tend to only hear about the negative.
“A surprising result revealed in the research however, shows that the diverse languages spoken by Chinese managers (Mandarin, Taiwanese, Cantonese, and so on) may actually be an added skill, effectively enabling them to interact with the increasing number of foreign lot owners, residents and tourists residing in their properties. The report also suggests that this evolving demographic of residents consciously select buildings and resorts where they can communicate with the proprietors and feel comfortable in their surroundings.
TheManagement Rights Lawyers
“As with all transitions there is still a learning curve in management rights and a large part of that learning is to acknowledge that we are from different cultures and have different ways of managing."
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“Contrary to this, while the Chinese have an innate ability with technology, the research
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ARAMA REPORT
Long-term certainty equals value If there is one thing history has proved about management rights, it is that certainty equates to value. “Management rights” is a unique business model offering resident mangers the ability to live and work in a community title scheme, provide on-site letting management and caretaking services, and have a business that retains value. The vast majority of operators are small family businesses that have an agreement with the body corporate of up to 25 years, encouraging long-term, decision-making that is best for the building over its life-span. It is a business that thrives in good times, but which can be dampened by
It is a business that thrives in good times, but which can be dampened by political speculation and economic downturn
Trevor Rawnsley, CEO, ARAMA
political speculation and economic downturn. This year we have seen an election in New South Wales, and we may have a new party in charge of the nation after this month’s federal election. We have also seen the Financial Services Royal Commission thrust the banking and financial services sector into the spotlight.
According to Michael Philpott, sales broker and director of MR Sales, while both events brought uncertainty to the management rights industry, it is still performing relatively well. “The banking inquiry in particular raised a number of major issues and it sent the industry into a bit of a spin. The ability to access finance tightened significantly and we did experience issues relative to stock coming through,” he says. “We can’t forget that management rights is an essential tourism provider however, and that with the upward growth in tourism as a result of the Australian dollar struggling, there is enormous potential for the industry to capitalise.” “Management rights is a brilliant industry and there are still fantastic opportunities for buyers looking to get into it.” This sentiment is echoed by Mike Phipps, managing director of Mike Phipps Finance, who says the review into the banking and finance sector resulted in unintended consequences.
Australian Resident Accommodation Managers Association is the peak industry body representing the interests of people who are involved in management rights.
“Regulators are making the assumption that consumers and business borrowers have no idea about credit and budgeting and adding extra layers of bank compliance to compensate,” he says.
For membership enquiries: national@arama.com.au | www.arama.com.au
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“We are finding that properly qualified buyers are having no problems accessing finance, it is just taking much longer. The reality is management rights is an incredibly low risk business model and that is reflected by
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the bank credit policy support the industry receives.” Depending on who succeeds at this month’s federal election, there could also be tax changes to property investment that impact the letting pool of a management rights business. “Tax benefits relating to property investments may be reduced depending on who gets in at this election, however this may result in investors retaining these assets until they can access retirement benefits,” Phipps says. “Alternatively, if these tax incentives are grandfathered, I can’t see investors rushing to sell assets accruing these benefits. Both outcomes are good news for resident managers who have a stack of investors in their letting pool.” Philpott adds that it is important for management rights operators to join industry forums and seek expert advice on running their business. “If you are prepared to go the extra mile and deliver excellent customer service, you are going to do well and build a valuable business. It is important however, to engage stakeholders along the way who can offer advice and guidance on all areas of business operation.” ARAMA has announced the return of the industry information and education event from May 14-16 that will deliver an industry update from experts on areas including industry performance, opportunities for operators, building a better business and the residual impacts of the Royal Commission. ResortNews | May, 2019
NZ REPORT
Management rights in NZ By Carlyn Topp, Chair, MRANZ
Kia Ora from the land of the long white cloud… Aotereroa. As a first-time contributor on behalf of the Management Rights Association New Zealand (MRANZ), and not fully knowing the extent of the reader’s knowledge of our market, I have focused on what I believe the most pressing issues are facing the short-stay accommodation sector in New Zealand, namely immigration reform, the accommodation shortage and the rapid growth of the Airbnb market. In New Zealand, management rights are split into what we term residential (long-term) and tourism (short-term), and the majority of the establishments are located in Auckland, Tauranga and Queenstown. New Zealand immigration laws have changed significantly over the past few years making it harder to employ a migrant worker. These reforms dictate that the worker may only apply for a visa for three consecutive years after which they are required to leave the country for a year. This situation obviously creates a significant barrier for companies willing to train and/ or promote these workers. In small to medium size businesses with less than 12 employees, it becomes increasingly more difficult to maintain standards and professionalism, or to be able to offer them career growth as ultimately the core team keeps changing. Other immigration law reforms that are expected in the next 12 months place more responsibility onto the employer needing to May, 2019 | ResortNews
be approved as an accredited employer before being able to employ migrant workers. The process is arduous and costly, with the employers expected to cover annual visa costs, and is expected to impact on migrant employment even more. Tourist destinations such as Queenstown strongly rely on migrant workers to fill the work force, and it is concerning that a number of them may have to close if this resource is no longer available. The well-known and widespread accommodation and rental shortages being experienced in New Zealand are being made worse by a number of factors: the rising minimum wage has resulted in higher spend and as with typical supply and demand, as rentals become harder to find prices increase resulting in greater rental shortages and even overcrowding in many units. Another factor contributing to this shortage are home owners opting to use their properties for Airbnb instead of long term rentals. Airbnb is becoming an increasing issue for both the residential and tourism bodies corporate groups in terms of noise pollution, security, higher criminal activity such as drug labs, non-regulated compliance issues, parking and the list goes on. This is obviously an area that we are closely monitoring Australia’s response to.
to ensure one gets a reasonable web listing and ranking is disabling managers from being able to manage their own businesses. We are even aware of a situation where the Priceline Group moved bookings between companies such as Booking. com and Ctrip and then when the accommodation provider called the company to clarify items in the booking they have no record of the stay. Unfortunately, until government and regulation changes, rate parity arguments will remain the norm and managers will continue to try to offer return guests a price befitting their loyalty. Honourable Nikki Kaye and Honourable Judith Collins, now both opposition party members for the past two years, have been working alongside industry working parties to reform the Unit Titles Act 2010 to improve the information disclosure regime to prospective buyers of units so that they have a better understanding of what they are buying before the purchase, and of what the
intended use may be. A review of the regulations regarding long-term maintenance plans and sinking funds for buildings and ensuring that they are adequate and proportionate to the size of the complex and usage, is also underway. In terms of this, MRANZ have made a submission to this review and have included a firm recommendation that where Airbnb properties exist there should be an onsite manager who would be better able to manage the building professionally and deal with defects as they occur. It would also hopefully decrease the incidence of unlawful behaviour such as that happening in some peer-to-peer accommodation. An overall strengthening of the governance arrangements of the body corporate, the entity responsible for the management and operation of a unit title complex and all other stakeholders is required so that everyone is on a level playing field and the industry improves in terms of professionalism and standards.
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As in the Australian market, rate parity and anti-competitive behaviour from the OTA’s has become a hot topic. I am fortunate to travel regularly, and while staying with other accommodation providers I am constantly hearing the same stories of OTA’s making up the rules and not allowing the business owners to call the shots. The increase in commission fees INDUSTRY
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STATE REPORT
The broadening scope of anti-bullying laws As you may be aware the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has in the recent past decided that the bullying of a building manager employee by members of an owners’ corporation (body corporate) can amount to bullying under the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). If actions are found to be bullying under the FW Act this could lead to the owners’ corporation or even individual owners being liable to orders from the FWC and if such orders are breached it opens the door to civil and criminal penalties for the “bullies”. What you may not be aware though is that in a very recent
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This is significant as it broadens the scope of who is considered a “worker” and able to seek anti-bullying orders available in the FW Act.
If a committee member were
Determining whether someone is or isn’t a worker under the FW Act is a matter of technical legal interpretation, but the pub test has been reasonably reliable to date in that if you are doing something that people wouldn’t usually get paid to do you weren’t considered a worker.
corporation, as it is the owners
What does this mean for owners’ corporations? In the vast majority of owners’ corporations the management of the scheme is carried out by a committee of unpaid volunteers. As determined by the FWC with respect to building managers, an owners’ corporation can be considered a business in the context of the FW Act. That decision brought owners corporations under the umbrella of the FW Act and opened the door for owners’ corporation workers (who weren’t employees of the owners’ corporation) to seek relief from the FWC. With the Clubhouse Decision it now appears that the tasks that committee members carry out could also be considered work for the owners’ corporation and therefore they could meet the definition of workers in the context of the FW Act. In practical terms this means that a committee member may be able to seek relief from the FWC if they have suffered bullying associated with the work they perform for the owners’ corporation. Bullying that is most likely to be captured in this scenario would be bullying conducted by fellow committee members or bullying conducted by the building manager, but could also include bullying by owners who are not on the committee.
INDUSTRY
to seek anti-bullying orders from the FWC, such orders if granted would primarily be made against the owners’ corporation’s responsibility to provide its workers with a safe workplace. An owners’ corporation is obliged under occupational health and safety laws to take proactive action to prevent, monitor and manage bullying in the workplace. Creating a safe workplace is not just putting yellow paint on the edge of a step, but also includes creating safe communication channels that can prevent the opportunity for bullying to occur. The FWC has the ability to impose a broad range of remedies on the owners’ corporation and the specific facts of a given situation will significantly influence the types of orders that may be chosen. The Clubhouse Decision should be a wake-up call for all owners’ corporations and anyone who deals with the members of an owners’ corporation committee. Owners corporation members need to be aware of their obligations to provide a safe workplace, and those people dealing with owners’ corporation members should be aware that unacceptable behaviour may make themselves liable to civil and criminal penalties that were not previously considered available in these circumstances. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation Disclaimer – This article is provided for information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice.
ResortNews | May, 2019
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BCCM REPORT
PART 1
Holding the purse strings Let’s talk about money. It’s a subject everyone has an opinion on, and this is also true about finances in the body corporate context. While the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (the Act) and its Regulation Modules are prescriptive about the process for collecting and then spending body corporate funds, I know that there remains uncertainty in the sector about some of these financial issues. In this next series of articles, I will address several body corporate financial issues that are common sources of enquiry to my office. In this first part, I will begin by talking a bit philosophically – why is there a requirement for owners to pay ongoing levies and what are these meant to be used for anyway?
SCA REPORT
While a body corporate is not a commercial entity, it does have day-to-day operational
At the risk of stating the obvious, levies are due…when they are due Chris Irons,
Commissioner, Body Corporate & Community Management
needs. Bills need to be paid. Services such as repairs and insurance that have been engaged and then carried out need to have money to cover them. This is why the Act requires the setting of budgets and, stemming from that, the payment of levies by owners. To put it more simply, owners’ levies pay for the body corporate to fulfil its obligations – which are, of course, the owners’ obligations at the end of the day.
I don’t know of anyone who enjoys paying bills and especially regular, recurrent bills. That said, it is a fact of life that some things require an ongoing commitment of finances and when someone is an owner of a lot in a community title scheme, their commitment includes paying levies. Let’s address a few common misconceptions about levies: •
At the risk of stating the obvious, levies are due…
when they are due. While it is commonplace for a levy notice to be sent out in advance of the due date – as is the case with most other bills we pay in life – it remains the owner’s responsibility to pay by the due date. Saying “I didn’t get a reminder notice” or “The notice didn’t go to the correct address” is not necessarily a defence for not having paid on time. To be clear, levies are set at the annual
Queensland property law reform update In the middle of March, SCA (Qld) held its annual conference on the sunny climes of the Gold Coast. Billed as the state’s biggest strata industry event of the year, it’s always an outstanding showcase for best practice, and it provides an unmatched opportunity to converse with colleagues from the sector.
This year, amidst the fun and frivolity of the Sundown Soiree and the glitz and glamour of the conference and awards dinner, Attorney-General Yvette
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of the strata sector. A clear demonstration of this comprehension was her announcement that her office will no longer be pursuing changes to the issue of lot entitlements and will instead be focusing on seller disclosure and industry stability.
Simon Barnard, President, SCA, Qld
D’Ath opened the event with a thorough update about the state of property law reform. The Attorney-General’s speech was pleasing on many fronts, not least because of her in-depth understanding
The idea of reforming lot entitlements first emerged in 2008 and successive governments have failed to propose a model that achieves a consensus with stakeholders. While SCA (Qld) originally entertained the idea of change, each suggested reform failed to solve the associated problems without creating many more areas for concern and room for
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dispute. The latest QUT model was entirely different from the current practice, suggesting a more complex separation of expense categories and, after a decade of discussion, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath announced the government would put lot entitlements aside indefinitely. I welcomed this announcement and applaud the Attorney-General for listening to the industry. During her speech, Ms D’Ath was particularly resolute about her passion for greater transparency in the selling process. She articulated her belief that the more information about a scheme’s current and future finances that is disclosed ResortNews | May, 2019
general meeting, which means the minutes will reflect both what levies are payable and when. •
•
There is no connection in the Act between payment of levies and some other action. For example, there is no provision in body corporate legislation that says an owner can withhold their levy payment until the body corporate approves their request or enforces its by-laws. Nor is there any legislative basis for a lot owner to say, “Well my neighbour hasn’t paid their levies, so I’m not going to either.” There is nothing in the Act or the Regulation Modules which provides an automatic entitlement for either a discount for early or on-time payment of levies, or which compels the body corporate to enter into a payment plan with an owner. While a body corporate and owners can enter into these sorts of arrangements – and indeed, they are fairly commonplace – it is not as of right.
Apart from these misconceptions, perhaps the most important consequence of non-payment of levies is that it may prevent an owner from voting at general meetings. Even being a few dollars short on one’s account can leave an owner “unfinancial” and this means they may not get to vote on motions which would have a direct impact upon them. It is a daily occurrence that my office hears from lot owners who believe they shouldn’t have to pay a body corporate debt of some kind and who are firmly of the belief they are “in the right” about their reasons for not paying. I’m certainly not going to tell anyone that their stronglyheld reasons are misguided or wrong and neither do I hold any policing powers to compel owners to pay. That said, the point both I and my team always make is that in our view, you are far better off to pay the debt, become financial and thus, exercise your voting rights – then, if you still feel the need to, look at following up later on the disputed amount. One thing that might be difficult to predict and manage is financial difficulty
and hardship. Sometimes, these things happen with no warning and despite the best of intentions, an owner may simply just not have the money to pay their levies.
is experiencing a medical
From the owner’s perspective, there are some critical points about this to bear in mind. The key things in my view are to be as open about it as possible, as early as possible. I appreciate that it is very confronting to have to put one’s hand up to say that you are experiencing tough financial times and can’t pay. While there isn’t a need to divulge your full financial position to the world, a general discussion about it can make a significant difference.
Another way of demonstrating
For example, if you know that in a month’s time, when your levies will be due, that you won’t be able to pay some or all of the levy, then that is the time to start the discussion with your body corporate about it – not, for example, the day or week after the due date. Early discussion about financial circumstances demonstrates good faith on the part of the owner. If there are particular circumstances at play then it might be a good idea to mention those. An example might be if an owner
Consultation on the draft regulations could happen as soon as this month Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath
to the interested party, as well as the expected levies, the fewer potential disputes and the fairer the system for consumers. In light of this, Ms D’Ath stated that the government will be undertaking further work to significantly strengthen the seller disclosure requirements. Thankfully, the Attorney-General also acknowledged that the BCCMA review has been “going on a long time” and outlined a timeline for the reform process. With the extension granted to the regulatory modules due to expire in September May, 2019 | ResortNews
of this year, the government must move quickly to allow time for feedback. Therefore, regulatory reform will be the first stage of the process. Since the conference, I have been informed that five of the six regulatory modules have been reviewed and that consultation on the draft regulations could happen as soon as this month. After the industry has had its chance, the drafts will be made available for general public comment for a short period. Previous
recommendations for reform have almost entirely reflected SCA (Qld)’s submissions, so I’m confident the new regulations will correspond with members’ thoughts on the matter. After reforming the regulations associated with the BCCMA, the Attorney-General will turn her sights to amending the BCCMA itself. This will include closer inspection of legislation surrounding the more controversial issues of by-laws, scheme termination, and debt recovery. Speaking
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condition which is making it impossible for them to earn an income or the same income they once were earning. good faith is an undertaking to pay at least some of the levy. A small amount may seem token but in the long run it may demonstrate your willingness to meet your financial obligations which in turn may make the body corporate more willing to make an allowance for you and your financial circumstances. Up to this point my focus has been on lot owners and their responsibilities in relation to payment of levies. In part two of this series, I will focus on the responsibilities of the body corporate and its committee to be responsible and accountable for how they spend body corporate funds. For further information please contact the Information and Community Engagement Unit on 1800 060 119 or visit our website www.qld. gov.au/bodycorporate
knowledgeably about scheme termination issues, Ms D’Ath expressed her support for a 75 percent rule on terminating a scheme based on age and economic viability. She acknowledged the complexity and contentiousness of the current process and stated that the government is “carefully considering the QUT scheme termination recommendations”. However, she added, “it must not be approached in a way that makes community title a second-class form of ownership in terms of property rights.” All this points to the amendments being introduced at some point in 2020. Her detailed explanation regarding the process of the legislative review showcased her extensive knowledge of the industry, and I think I can speak for the entire strata community when I say that we look forward to the day when the BCCMA is brought into the 21st Century.
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LEGAL EASE
Buyer beware: Warnings of
‘rorts’ for new apartment buyers It’s been branded the biggest new rort in apartment living: a way of locking unwary new unit owners into expensive long-term contracts to pay for basic services the developer of the building should have provided. Instead of paying to install the necessary building infrastructure, such as gas, electricity, water, stormwater filtration, heating, airconditioning and internet access, some developers are transferring the costs onto owners via inflated service contracts. Most states’ strata laws forbid developers from signing contracts committing apartment owners to deals that they haven’t agreed to. However, some developers turn up at the first AGM of a new apartment block with complex contracts for owners to ratify, committing new apartment purchasers to huge longterm payouts for embedded infrastructure that would normally be provided for free. “It’s like buying a car, and then later discovering that you have to pay extra for the wheels,” says strata lawyer David Bannerman of Bannerman Lawyers, who has been investigating the new practice. “Those people would assume when they’ve bought an apartment, they’d also have bought the stormwater services, the necessary gas pipes, the cables for the phones … everything you need to live in a new apartment. “But then they’re presented with these agreements that many of them won’t understand, or realise commit them to huge costs over a long period of time. It can be a way of shifting the cost of the installation from the developers to the new owners by charging them for the
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service – and the owners are getting shafted in the process. “Some of the arrangements are appropriate, such as a good embedded electricity network that allows individual metering and can save owners and tenants money, and some are required by council – but more often than not they aren’t, and often the arrangements can amount to a rort.” Once such contracts have been agreed to by owners at that first meeting, they can be almost impossible to get out of, too. Some owners corporations (bodies corporate) have found themselves signed up to paying $6000 per annum for the maintenance of stormwater drains on a 99-year lease – something that might normally cost $2000 a year, being $1000 to change the filter annually and four quarterly cleans at $250 each. Instead, the $4000 extra they’re paying a year is the payback to build the system. Some apartment owners have been hit with extra charges for services like Foxtel installation. Others have ended up paying $5 per lot per month for 99 years for the single cable that was installed to give them access to phones and Foxtel. Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive Chris Johnson, who represents developers, said such practices would be a concern, with apartment buyers not necessarily aware of what was happening and would simply assume that such contracts were normal. “My feeling on this is that there needs to be transparency in the negotiations and sales between developers and buyers,” he said. “Fair Trading or some such body should make sure there aren’t these kind of loopholes and there needs to be continual tweaking [of the law] to pick up on these sorts of issues. “Above all, dealings need to be transparent and there
should be some sort of clause in contracts to make sure of the full disclosure of what’s happening in these areas.” But there are reports that this is happening more and more frequently across Sydney as the market for new apartments softens and developers’ profit margins are squeezed. The unsuspecting buyer can then end up the loser. “Strata schemes can be extremely vulnerable when exposed to these kinds of practices,” says David Sachs, principal of legal firm Sachs Gerace Broome. “The ways these kind of things can be done are far more sophisticated then the legislation can cope with; it’s way behind what developers may do. “It’s the transfer of an expense from a developer to an owner, and owners can find themselves taking on a responsibility that may not be disclosed at all, or completely inadequately disclosed, and then they are stuck with it. Even with something as basic as a Netflix contract, how many intelligent people struggle to understand what they’re signing up to?” Many strata managers are also struggling in the face of this new trend. The retailers of such services tell developers they’ll install infrastructure for free – as long as owners then agree to pay exorbitant service fees. And often strata managers, who are hired by the developers to be at that first AGM of new owners where contracts are agreed to, are unable to speak out on owners’ behalf, or warn them, against agreeing to the contracts. “Strata managers are in an invidious position,” said one industry principal, who asked not to be named. “If we refuse to push these contracts through at the first AGM, the developers will just use strata managers who will. “As the market softens
MANAGEMENT
and developers’ profits are squeezed, we’re going to see it happening more and more.” Chris Duggan, Strata Community Australia president, says it’s an emerging trend that’s occurring across a whole range of infrastructure services. He says he encourages strata managers to remain “as agnostic as they can” with the owners, and encourage them to take independent legal advice and have the operator of the infrastructure network in to speak to them. “It is really challenging,” Mr Duggan says. “It is very difficult to consider any other alternative to an embedded network because it’s already in-situ at that point in time. It can be hard to determine if the clauses in the contract are detrimental.” He has seen some embedded networks, over time, that work well for owners, like electricity, gas or water systems that enable individual billing and can save people money through buying in bulk and sharing the savings. But he’s also seen some “ugly” ones like those that charge apartment owners for stormwater drains. “You’d ordinarily expect them to be provided, but the cost is being transferred to the owners corporation as longterm maintenance contracts,” he says. “Or you’ll see other services being provided for what you might consider attractive rates for individual lots but then unattractive rates for common property, so you’re getting stung that way. It’s a worry.” The Property Council of Australia, which also represents developers, said its work on embedded networks had been focused only on electricity network issues. ResortNews | May, 2019
For some time, I have been seeing an increase in Office of Fair Trading activity in reviewing and penalising licensees for breaches to the Agents Financial Administration Act 2014. While some appear to be more serious in nature the main focus appears to be educational with warnings common for first time offences. With this in mind I thought it prudent to set out the issues I’m seeing on a regular basis.
Monthly reconciliations What a lot of licensees don’t appear to be understand is that the trust bank account must be reconciled to the balance on the last day of each and every month. Not the second last day or the first day of the next month but the last day of the month. This doesn’t mean you literally have to reconcile that day. You have up to five days following the last day of month to perform the reconciliation, but it must commence with the bank balance at the last day of the month. Queensland legislation (Agents Financial Administration Act 2014) requires the bank reconciliation to be performed on the last day of each month. The legislation reads:
17 Trust account cash book reconciliation 1.
A principal agent must, within 5 business days after the end of each month-
May, 2019 | ResortNews
being the final day in which these funds must be banked.
Non-trust funds
Jonathan Hanaghan,
Jonathan Grant Accountants
a. Reconcile the trust account cash book balance as at the end of the month with the trust account ledger balances that showi. Each trust accounts creditors name; and ii. The amount held on behalf of the creditor as at the end of the month; and b. Reconcile the financial institutions statement balance for the principal agents trust account as at the end of the month with the trust account cash book balance as at the end of the month.
Receipting and banking This is another area where many licensees are not aware of their responsibilities. While receipting must be done as soon as practical following the receipting of funds, the banking of any cash and cheques has strict rules. All banking must be done either on the day of receipts or the following business banking day. For cash or cheques received on a weekend the OFT allows an extra day with Tuesday
This will predominately apply for short-term accommodation providers when they receipt funds which represent trust funds (accommodation on behalf of an owner) and non-trust funds eg. internet, tours or meals income. As the non-trust funds are the income of the licensee these funds must be cleared and transferred out of the trust account within 14 days. The OFT have been very strict on this matter in recent years.
always advise seeking legal advice from your industry specialist before proceeding.
What your auditor wants This will vary depending on the auditor and software being utilised. As a general rule the following is a minimum of what needs to be kept in hard copy on a monthly basis, and be available to the auditor at each audit: •
Copy of the final EOM threeway bank reconciliation on the last day of each month (If your system produces multiple threeway reconciliations as part of the month end reconciliation process you should ensure only the final version is retained);
•
Reports detailing outstanding/unpresented deposits and/or payments;
•
Reports detailing any adjustments;
•
Report detailing monies held in trust;
•
All original bank statements;
•
Copies of all receipts or access to computerised duplicate copies;
•
Cashbook report; and
•
Owner’s statements and ledger detail reports.
Mid-month licensee draws vs mid-month owner payments I have seen many instances where the licensee has taken mid-month drawings towards their end of month fees and commissions. This is a clear breach unless the funds represent non-trust funds (see above). To take midmonth licensee payments the licensee must perform a full reconciliation (say on the 15th) and ensure that all owners and other relevant payments are made prior to the licensee withdrawing their mandated fees, charges and commissions.
Owner letting agreements This is another area that causes confusion. All current charges to owners need to be documented within the respective owner letting agreement. This means that if you have updated or intend to update your schedule of manager fees and charges you need to update your owner letting agreements. We
MANAGEMENT
It is important to ensure that the last six points above support and reconcile with the detail of the final EOM three-way reconciliation. I encourage all licensees to discuss the above with their auditor to determine if there may be any risk within their current practices, or how they may improve the presentation of their paperwork.
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BY ALL ACCOUNTS
Trust account audit issues
THINKING MR
Let's talk As accommodation industry professionals we are all in the people business. Our clients are people, our owners, tenants, landlords and committee members are people and our guests are, for the most part, people. Yes, the pet friendly resort is on the rise but let’s stick with people for now. As people in a people business I would argue that our greatest asset is our ability to communicate effectively. In recent years the explosion in social media use combined with the myriad nonverbal, non-personal forms of communication at our disposal is resulting in more communication than ever before. Social media users in Australia are some of the most active in the world, with a total of around 60 percent of the country’s population an active user on Facebook, and 50 percent of the country logging onto Facebook at least once a day. Globally, Facebook has 2.32 billion monthly active users. There are 10 million Facebook users in Australia, where 69 percent of the population use some form of social media. 9 million Aussies use Instagram and 4.7 million are active on Twitter. Business emails average over one hundred per day per user. Trouble is, all this electronic interaction is, in my humble opinion, making us less effective communicators. I’m a strong believer that business relationships are ultimately personal. Relationship-based face-to-face and personalised communication methods build a level of trust and rapport that I don’t think electronic mediums can duplicate. Email and text are two great examples. In both cases its very easy to lose the message
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If you are a half decent talker, can articulate thoughts and arguments well and are prepared to embrace the challenging conversations you have a competitive advantage, particularly in business
Mike Phipps, Director, Mike Phipps Finance
subtext, particularly if the discussion is challenging. For sure use an email to confirm the outcome of a discussion but have the discussion first. It seems to me that as we use nonverbal communication more and more we are losing the capacity to resolve issues or indeed to even confront uncomfortable situations. It’s also worth acknowledging that the most effective communication is almost always a result of verbal and nonverbal attributes. In the virtual world body language, phasing and emphasis are largely lost, leaving only the words to convey the message. Of course, there is an incredible up side to the slippery slope our communication trends are heading down. If you are a half decent talker, can articulate thoughts and arguments well and are prepared to embrace the challenging conversations you have a competitive advantage, particularly in business. A great example of this is the dreaded management rights agreement top up process. At the one extreme we have managers whose fear of even asking is so pronounced that they simply put forward a notice of motion with zero discussion or lobbying. On the other end of the spectrum is the manager who actively engages in conversations with owners about the positives in granting a top up. For sure there will be lively debate and some owners will vote No, but it’s got to be better than the surprise motion that gets every one’s back up. In these sorts of
situations, I am a great believer in acknowledging disagreement or a potential problem when having a challenging discussion, and getting that emotional part of the communication on the table and hopefully consigned to the waste bin soon after. Too often people have long debates which seem to skip around the central issue and as a result the real problem is never resolved. Developing the skill and personal courage to tackle challenging discussions adds real value to your personal management style and potentially to your business more broadly. Another great communication tip I was given years ago is a hard one to execute but it absolutely works. The angry client. Let’s face it, we’ve all had the experience and the first instinct is to give as good as you get. That’s the wrong strategy of course, and there’s an interesting bit of human physiology behind the correct response. Once someone gets mad and decides you are the target, they want to let you have it. The trick is to let them go, give them no negative response to bounce off and watch them run out of steam. Almost never fails and generally ends up with the angry person feeling embarrassed and apologising. It’s at that point that the effective communicator moves to problem resolution mode and pretty much pretends that the aggressive encounter never happened. Takes a level of personal self-control, but it’s well worth it and works just as well when the anger is
MANAGEMENT
manifested via email or text. Pick up the phone and acknowledge the apparent unhappiness of the client. Don’t reply via the same medium, it never works. My point in all of this is an absolute belief that as technology changes the way we communicate we will slowly lose some of the critical skills necessary to get our point across and influence outcomes. You’ve only got to turn on the 6 o’clock news and listen to our politicians to know that our country’s leaders are pretty hopeless when it comes to concise and effective communication. My advice is, next time you need to sell an idea or promote an outcome, try personal face to face meetings or phone calls. The more challenging the issue, the more important to your personal or business success the better! Effective personal communication is a practiced skill, and one that’s becoming rarer by the day. I close this month’s column on a very sad note. Our dear friend and broker Lisa Quick passed away in mid-April. Lisa came to us at a time when we desperately needed a seasoned professional who could help us take the business forward, and put up with me at the same time. Lisa displayed great warmth and empathy with our clients and proved a wonderful asset for our business. She had a truly beautiful nature and we will miss her. Vale Lisa and our deepest sympathy to Dave and all the family. ResortNews | May, 2019
supply & demand The economic forces of supply and demand determine the price levels of most products and services, and it forms the basis of the laissez faire economic system (free from government intervention) under which we live and operate - most of the time. Supply and demand are however, an everchanging dynamic as they fluctuate with human actions. Accommodation room rates go up and down as a result of all sorts of activities created by people and external factors. A couple of simple demand examples include a big event being held in a locality on any given day, or a large industry increasing or decreasing their activities in a region. Simple supply examples include an abundance of new, short-term accommodation units being built and coming online, or an accommodation site being redeveloped for its highest and best use purposes thereby taking units offline. There are literally hundreds of different actions that change supply and demand. Supply is generally the slower mover however, demand is more dynamic, changing from day to day.
Andrew Morgan, Motel Broker, Qld Tourism & Hospitality Brokers
While there are differing opinions on this, it seems to be that most believe that shortterm accommodation room rates must go up and down as supply and demand changes. As the old saying goes “make hay while the sun shines”. If there is a busy weekend for an event or an annual event perhaps and the available units in an area can be sold at three times over, will the room rates for that period be the same as when things are quiet? When things are quiet do the room rates stay where they are or do they drop in order to meet the lower demand? Peak and off-peak seasons are another example. Holiday complexes always advertise high season and low season room rates. They are simply going up and down with the relevant supply and demand for that time of the year.
Generally, in situations where it is believed that rates should stay the same no matter what the demand is, it does not end up working long term. Loyalty to guests is obviously a good thing, but it may not be sustainable, particularly in a long-term scenario. If the room rates are not raised during the busy times, then unfortunately come the quiet times, they cannot remain where they are either. Even though the guest may still wish to stay at that motel to repay the loyalty of the lower rates in busy times, their company may move them on to a cheaper property in the quieter time as the company does not have the indebted responsibility of loyalty in return. This is where not moving room rates up and down with supply and demand can end up being a very costly mistake. Looking after return guests and loyalty is a good thing. It is what builds the strength of any accommodation business. Finding the right balance however, is the difficult part. Being able to increase room rates with higher demand and keep loyal regular guests happy around this, is not an easy thing to do. The juggling act of any business operator is not an easy one to get right. Using room rates as effectively as possible must be the goal though. Low room rates and under
cutting are a major burden on the accommodation industry. The damage caused by this line of thinking is dramatic. The thought process that undercutting the value of one’s product is the best way to sell the product is a very flawed ideology. Consider perhaps, adding value to the product to make it more attractive to the market, instead of giving it away? If there is a low demand for motel accommodation then there is less chance of being able to lift room rates, however there is little benefit in underselling the value of the product. Again, a juggling act. The secret lies in establishing what the market is willing to pay for the product and service. Finding the fine line in not over pricing the product and not under-pricing it within the confines of the demand available is the trick. What is a guest willing to pay for a neatly presented and clean motel room that offers the expected services such as a good bed, quiet room, air conditioning, high speed internet service, and so on? What is the value of the combination of the product and service being offered that can be achieved at a particular point in time?
Community Education Seminars Strata Mythbusters! – Open Forum Join Commissioner Chris irons & local Strata law experts as they test the legalities of common Strata Myths we often hear about. You’ll even be able to have them test any Myths of your own during the open forum. There will also be local suppliers on hand during the networking sessions to keep you up to date with the latest product & service innovations.
BRISBANE
SUNSHINE COAST
GOLD COAST
Date: Wednesday, 29 May 2019 Venue: Moda Events Portside Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Date: Saturday, 8 June 2019 Venue: Maroochy RSL Time: 9.30am - 11.30am
Date: Saturday, 22 June 2019 Venue: Southport Sharks Time: 9.30am - 11.30am
Register your attendance online May, 2019 | ResortNews
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www.smartstrata.com 23
MOTEL NEWS
Room rates:
INTONET
It’s a scam mate! “Hey maaate! I am from the XYZ company. We understand that you do the web site for the ABC resort. We need you to give us the access keys to their server so we can do some work on it. The owner has entered into an agreement with us and we need this information from you.” That was the start of a conversation when I answered the phone. Yes, I had done the website but had received no advice or instructions from the owner regarding anything he wanted done or authorising me to divulge such vital information. The smell of a rat was quite strong even though I thought this type of scam had died years ago. Today spoofing of email addresses and phone numbers are the scammers weapons of choice. So, what was the work that they wanted to do? “We are going to set up a mailing list program so that he can mail out things like newsletters and other marketing material and automatically collect the email addresses from his web site.” To reassure me I was told that they really needed to change some existing code so that people could enter their email details, and then to also ensure that a copy of this information was forwarded to them. I was told they were from the foremost IT company working specifically for the tourism industry on the coast, and were well known. An elaborate story to obviously lull me into a false sense of security. Curious though as all the features referred to were already in existence on the web site, and why would they want a copy of all the email addresses. Well, they did not know about the first bit but anyway, it was too late as my client had already signed up and paid them the
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damage had been done to date I thought. So, I explained his facilities again and once more provided him with the necessary information for him to make things work as intended.
Arvo Elias, Cybercons
money. They needed copies of mail details so they could monitor the site. Monitor if for what? “Nothing for me to worry about so I’d better just provide the necessary information and not concern myself any further”. This time the tone was no longer as “matey” and sounded quite threatening. There was no way I would divulge server access information to a third party without very clear instruction from my client. With that information the site could become the property of anyone, could be moved to another server and could be changed to whatever somebody else wanted it to be. And you may recall that some years ago I wrote about just such an occurrence that ended up costing my client quite dearly. A phone call to my present client was somewhat enlightening. Yes, he had discussed the mail out feature with some people but had not paid any money. No, he was not sure of their identity; they did not even have a business card and only left him an unlisted telephone number. The details of the offer were also spectacular. For $990 they would set up a mailing list and for a further $120 per month thereafter send out the newsletters. He had forgotten that the mailing list feature existed on his web site, but recalled something about it now. More worrying was that he was not too sure who he was dealing with. Well, at least no
Disaster averted, but I thought it pertinent to draw your attention once again to this type of scam doing the rounds once more, despite the many warnings published over the years in this magazine and in the press. What makes it such a huge rip-off is that you can get these services for free on the web if you so wish. But why would they want the email data sent to them? Well, the answer to that is easy. Collect a number of these and one very quickly builds up a substantial mailing list to be sold to marketing companies for a tidy sum. The XYZ name could also not be found in that style on the web or any web registrar’s listings, an unusual omission for an IT company today. A company search did reveal their existence and the fact that they had recently changed their name. That was the end of that I thought. Not so… The phone rang again and the same voice but in a more confronting tone demanded to know whether I was ready to provide the required information. In the same breath I was also told that there was a serious error on one of the web pages and they thought they would just warn me before ringing my client. That last threat was quite reassuring because they were looking for ways to bluff their way into the web site. If they had searched my code more thoroughly they would have discovered that what they thought was an error was indeed quite deliberate on my part. They did think their threat would coerce me into divulging information. Normally I would have had a good laugh but these tactics were far too serious for that. Speaking with my client a few
MANAGEMENT
days later I was advised that our new friends were now quite threatening and insisted that he pay them for all the work they had performed and that he had better provide all the server details or else they would go to the police. What work performed where? I suggested my client tell them politely what to do, and advise them that he was quite prepared to put the matter in the hands of Consumer Affairs and indeed ASIC if they would be good enough to provide their contact details. This seems to have silenced them as we have not heard from them again. If you use servers I am familiar with to set all this up would cost approximately $200 per year more than your current commitment, and if you really wanted a mail out facility with all the bells and whistles a further $180 would acquire the soft ware. A far cry from the rates demanded by our opportunists. And there are many more options to use . Now for some stern advice once again. Never, never divulge server or domain details to anybody unless there is a real need for them to know and you trust them. This information is as important to you as the title deeds to your house. If, for some reason you want to take advantage of third-party server features, firstly discuss this with your webmaster. Secondly, if code changes or additions have to be made then have that code provided to your webmaster so that he may make the changes without you having to divulge vital information to outsiders. Do not, under any circumstances, give access to your server to anybody but your webmaster and yourself. Besides the obvious “rip-off ” aspects you could finish up losing your commercial identity and pay dearly to recover your position and property. ResortNews | May, 2019
Divorced and separated parents now make up a significant number of residents within strata communities who have taken advantage of the apartment boom and downsized from the family home for lifestyle or affordability reasons, or had to seek alternative accommodation because the family home had to be sold as part of their settlement. While some people move to apartments for financial reasons, others are also preferring an inner-city lifestyle to a house in suburbia and find that apartment or community living works well for them because unlike a home, the apartment requires little maintenance.
Grant Mifsud, Archers
They can be closer to work and public transport and they don’t have to spend the weekend tending to the garden. If they are renting, they can also often secure a furnished property. Divorced and separated parents can also embrace the strata community lifestyle taking comfort in knowing that they have neighbours close by
in their complex, which makes them feel safe.
from the ex-wife or their family
According to 2016 Census data, it’s more common these days to accommodate children in apartments.
with the children.
The number of adults with children living in apartments between 2011 and 2016 increased by 56 percent nationally.
Consequences of Divorce in
The report also suggests that divorced or separated women typically purchase or rent twoor three-bedroom apartments to better accommodate themselves and their children, while men tend to move to smaller apartments. The divorced father tends to opt for a one-bedroom apartment plus a study which can be converted into a bedroom, and it is likely to be located within a short distance
home if she is still staying there A study released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, The Economic Australia, found, for women, divorce has a substantial negative impact upon their household income in the short term, but six years post-divorce it largely recovers to what it would have been had they remained married. Unsurprisingly, report author Professor David de Vaus discovered men who divorce however, experience a substantially faster rate of increase in income postdivorce than if they’d stayed married.
Customer reviews valued more than the brand In their most recent study, Expedia Group analysed the criteria used by tourists when choosing hotels. As a result, customer reviews are among the main criteria for their decision. Sites for e-commerce, catering, medical and legal services, nothing escapes customer opinions... It is now possible everywhere to submit or consult ratings in order to assess the "quality" of an establishment from a distance. So much so that 88 percent of internet users rely on the comments published on the internet before finalising a purchase. Today in the tourism sector, customer reviews and ratings have become essential in the choice of accommodation, May, 2019 | ResortNews
potential hotel guests may be influenced upstream by the transparency of communication about the hotel; they appreciate information on renovation work, pictures of the rooms or the hotel's rating (stars).
for example, almost as much as the price. To the question, how travellers choose the establishment in which they stay, 72 percent of them prioritise the brand ratings. While the price remains the number one attribute since it is determined first during a travel project, customers are increasingly choosing a wellrated hotel. However, it seems
possible that the customer feedback criterion may overshadow the price factor in the short term since more and more e-consumers are willing to spend more for hotels with more positive feedback and much more than for high-end brands. Third party approval has thus become essential and almost systematic in the validation of a hotel. Similarly,
MANAGEMENT
Once on site, other criteria contribute to customer satisfaction. A recent study conducted by Cornell University found that the key factors of customer satisfaction remain service and rooms, in short, the fundamentals of the accommodation industry which can ultimately influence the customer's final opinion. As a result, it is not necessary to belong to a brand to attract the barge. On the contrary, this study shows that an independent establishment can easily compete with larger brands based on its e-reputation and highlighting the customer experience.
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STRATA TRENDS
Singletons downsizing to apartments
How a project manager
can save you money as good management of the tender process and the works must be coordinated, approved and eventually certified. A project manager can pull all this together. Project managers are contracted to deal with complex information, make effective decisions and ensure all stakeholders are properly informed.
By Paul Morton, Founder, Lannock Finance
Completing the construction of a property is not the end of that building’s journey but only the beginning. Buildings have a defined life span and with the necessity for maintenance and the plethora of opportunities for enhancements, a building should constantly be fine-tuned. Everybody understands the benefits of maintenance and refurbishment. This is part of the normal process for commercially managed buildings but in strata properties the requirement to “repair and maintain” is enshrined in legislation – there are very strong obligations on owners to repair and maintain common property. The combined skills of the committee and the onsite manager can usually handle many routine cases but what should owners and managers do when the property is facing significant or complex building works? There are many technical matters: How do you deal with the requirements of Council, for example in preparing a Building Code compliance report? Who has the experience to choose between different engineering
or architectural solutions? Who should prepare the tender documents? Who has the ability to properly evaluate the works proposals? How do you know that the contractor will be able to complete the job? Building codes, contract and construction law and handling complex building projects are a mystery to most of us. And of course, there are the emotional matters: Who on the committee has the skills, time and energy to do this properly? And who do you blame and what do you do if it all goes pear-shaped? Enter the project manager. In our experience in lending to bodies corporate, large projects run more smoothly and cost-effectively when the committee has engaged an expert third party to handle these things. An experienced
QUEENSLAND WIDE
(07) 5443 5266 www.simpsonquinn.com.au Level 1, 13 Carnaby Street, Maroochydore
Management Rights Transactions Conveyancing and Property Law Estate Planning
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project manager can make the difference between success and disaster. And they certainly make things easier for owners. The right project manager will help ensure the right solution for each individual building and then work to deliver a quality outcome that is finished on time and within budget. More often than not, the project manager’s fees are outweighed by the savings they bring. One project manager we know tells the story of a refurbishment project on a high-rise building on Sydney’s lower north shore: “The body corporate wanted to save costs and thought they could manage the work on their own. They contracted directly with a builder who removed many of the windows and then walked off the job. For 12 months the owners have had hoardings covering their water views as well as water damage and a large scaffold rental bill. The cost to restart the project will be more than the entire budget of the original project. The contracts and insurances were inadequate and the supervision was negligible. Everyone will suffer financially and no-one is happy.” Complex jobs will take a toll on owners and tenants. There may be daily disruption, noise and inconvenience so it’s critical to maintain good communication. In the instance of building defects, it can require input from a team of experts as well
MANAGEMENT
Project managers also bring an important layer of insurance (and assurance). As the manager or members of a committee, you don’t want to be accosted by owners who are upset at the status of the works – engaging a project manager means you can demand performance from a professional third party. Some financiers will not only able to immediately finance your strata buildings works, but will also provide the funding to cover any associated project management fees. Owners don’t need to wait around for their capital works fund to accumulate, can enjoy the benefits and investment returns of completing project work sooner, pay today’s costs and avoid the problem getting worse. This finance also gives owners the flexibility to only draw down what is needed when it is needed which is well suited to complex projects that have the potential to chop and change. How do you find a good project manager? There are two professional bodies dedicated to advancing project management skills (aipm.com. au and consultaustralia.com. au) so check if your preferred party is a member. But you can start by asking around for references and then very critically examine their proposals to you. If your next project looks like it might challenge your professional capabilities or emotional comfort zone, we urge you to consider an experienced project manager. Maybe your project doesn’t warrant their expertise but there is a very good chance they will save you a lot of money and heartache in the long run. ResortNews | May, 2019
International visitor spending outpaces arrivals in 2018
Spending by international visitors to Australia in 2018 grew by seven percent to $43.9 billion, outpacing the five percent growth in arrivals at 9.2 million for the year.
Science Festival Brisbane, which attracted record-breaking crowds this year.
India was Australia's fastest growing visitor market for spend last year at $1.7 billion, up 21 percent, while China retains the top spot as Australia’s highest value visitor market at $11.7 billion, up 13 percent from the year before.
“Curiocity and QODE are about showing the world what Queensland’s best entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators have to offer,” she said.
Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said Asia presents an enormous tourism opportunity for Australia. Tourism Australia has published an international tourism infographics showing international arrivals, spend and aviation data for the year and an interactive report that shows visitors’ country of origin, places visited in Australia and trend charts on arrivals and spend is available on Tourism Australia’s corporate website.
Queensland on show More than 2,400 Queensland tourism operators that exceed consumer expectations have been identified and will receive prioritisation across Tourism and Events Queensland’s marketing and activity. The Best of Queensland Experiences May, 2019 | ResortNews
Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said Curiocity was part of a strategy to create the jobs of the future.
will be officially launched by Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin in 2020 as part of Australia Zoo’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
program is based on an independent set of criteria that incorporates online customer reviews, response to consumer expectations and reflects industry best practice.
Crickey! Glamping at Australia Zoo is coming soon to Queensland The Queensland Government has announced a partnership with Australia Zoo to deliver Camp Crocodile Hunter, an $8 million wildlife camping experience on the Sunshine Coast. The projected 108-site camping ground will offer caravan areas, glamping-style tents and eco cabins with an onsite café, an entertainment and pool area, cooking areas, school camp facilities, and a mountain bike pump track. Named after former Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, Camp Crocodile Hunter
Brisbane Curiocity to become world best for science and innovation New data shows more than 325,000 people attended Curiocity, QODE and the World Science Festival Brisbane over the past six weeks, boosting Queensland’s reputation as a world leader in science, technology and innovation. Curiocity – a new concept developed by the Palaszczuk Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Marketing - ran through March and April. Curiocity incorporated the QODE innovation summit and the World
TOURISM
“Using the global stage at QODE we launched a blueprint for Queensland’s future to drive jobs growth and solve some of the state’s largest challenges through innovation. Minister for Science and the Arts Leeanne Enochsaid this year’s World Science Festival Brisbane recorded the largest number of visitors since the festival began in 2016. “There were more than 100 events held across Brisbane and regional areas including Gladstone, Townsville, Ipswich, Toowoomba and Chinchilla, and I am delighted that in some areas we almost doubled the number of visitors. “Queensland is the only place this event is staged outside of New York and showcases our state as an international destination for scientific ideas and innovation.
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Social media boosts the over-tourism crisis Social media can be blamed for spreading fake news, compromising one’s privacy and now it’s being blamed for ruining some of the world’s top tourism destinations. Once, visitors would travel to stunning sites to observe them with admiration. Now, these attractions are often just a background for selfies, shared or tweeted with the aim to show off on social media. There is no question that the ‘Instagram effect’ on tourism is powerful. For example, the town of Wanaka in New Zealand saw a tourism increase by 14 percent when promoters invited social media influencers to visit the lakeside city. Now, local residents are somewhat dissatisfied with tax increases proposed to develop tourism infrastructure. Over-tourism and inadequate sewage treatment led to a sixmonth shutdown of Boracay island in the Philippines beginning last year on the order from president Rodrigo Duterte. In Iceland. officials are asking visitors to ‘please skip’ some of the most Instagram-popular and overcrowded spots like Reykjavik’s blue lagoon. Two
Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr Jim Thompson said the growth of the World Science Festival was something to be proud of and the number of visitors attending meant the event was delivering a program that appeals to everyone. “Queensland Museum continues to be a central hub of the World Science Festival Brisbane welcoming visitors of all ages who were engaged in a variety of talks, performances, activities that featured turtle hatching, marine life, and of course space travel,” Dr Thompson said. “We are looking forward to bringing the festival back next year to Brisbane and our regional
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million tourists arrived in Iceland last year, in contrast to the country’s population of less than 350,000. Much of the increase is attributed to social media. Masses looking for the perfect selfie spot are threatening the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. 1.2 million people visited the site in 2014. This year Peruvian officials instituted a strict ticketing policy, giving visitors access for a limited number of hours. City’s like Washington D. C., where big crowds flock the top sights of the city have the infrastructure necessary to handle such an influx. But that is not the case in remote areas such as Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands. Because of attention received on social media, the beach received 5,000 visitors per day, causing severe environmental damage. The destination is now closed indefinitely. In the past couple of years, the demand for travel has been increasing. With this, however, limitations, closures and protection taxes have been introduced as a precaution against the phenomenon of over-tourism and in order to try and find a balance between the needs of tourists, locals as well as the environment itself.
communities, of Townsville, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Gladstone and Chinchilla to showcase scientific developments and discoveries from around Australia and the world.” “There is a magic to Curiocity Brisbane. It’s for the explorers, inventors and creators; for the makers and doers. It has an undeniable ‘wow’ factor. “Imagination and innovation are what make Brisbane special and Curiocity Brisbane put visitors right at the centre of that, whether it’s discovering science and technology or immersing themselves in the brilliance of music and art.”
Smart hotel room service includes robots and innovative beds Rooms that self-regulate temperature or mirrors that give advice on what clothes to wear according to the weather; these are some of the technological innovations that are making their way into the tourism industry to offer new experiences to the traveller and make their life easier. Pepper is one-of-a-kind. It is an exceptional robot that is equipped with a ‘tablet’ embedded in its chest, which
comes with numerous touch sensors, a proximity laser, HD and 3D cameras, directional microphones and speakers. As if that were not enough, Pepper is also able to speak in 15 languages. It has become a phenomenon in the world of tech, and it has arrived in the tourism industry as a helping hand for travellers and a smart hotel room service. The device developed by the company Alysis – already operates in more than 2,000 businesses. Hotel chains such as Marriot, Hilton or Intercontinental have already
Gold Coast tourism: Nervous hotel bosses offered $2 a night rooms in Autumn 1999 THE key to capturing a larger chunk of the tourism market was $2 a night hotel beds. That was the pitch from Tom Tate on his first day as Surfers Paradise Chamber of Commerce boss 20 years ago. The future mayor led the 1999 offpeak price war in a bid to attract a share of what he called “the three-hour drive market”. His $2 deal at the Islander Resort, which he owned at the time, was not the only deal on offer, with
TOURISM
to-end hotels reportedly slashing hundreds of dollars off the price of their luxury rooms. The Coast’s hotel bookings had plummeted in 1998 on the back of the Asian Financial Crisis and Mr Tate said the cut-price proposal would help the city ResortNews | May, 2019
got their hands on one of these devices, which have been trained to perform check-in processes, inform about services and activities based on the person’s profile with whom they talk to, as well as make reservations, management and payment easier for services such as tours, shuttle transfers, car or bicycle rentals. “Pepper is a tourist adviser who gives personalised recommendations on a more entertaining level, he is part of the recreation team of the establishment,” according to the manufacturer. But in this digital and automated era, Pepper does not travel alone. It is accompanied by a large number of innovations that offer new experiences to tourists, while making life easier for them. From smart climate control systems, interactive mirrors and mattresses full of sensors, to virtual reality headsets and biometric solutions used to avoid long lines, these innovations have made their way into the travel and tourism industry. The technology in the industry serves to connect with the emotions of the customer, from the area of the fair dedicated to technology and innovation. For example, the interactive mirror is able to detect the mood of the user and offer hotel services accordingly. Additionally, this device gives recommendations on clothes that the hotel guest should wear based on the weather. For its part, the smart mattress has several sensors that measure and analyse important data,
through the ‘quiet season’ of May-June. The deal required a minimum of three people to stay in one room and each buy a $20 drink voucher for the resort bar, bringing the real cost to $66 in 1999 prices.
such as the room’s temperature, sleep cycles, sleep movements or heart rate of the tourist. Based on this information, an analysis is conducted on the quality of rest. The statistics can be viewed through an app, either through a computer or smartphone. Thanks to technology, the customers’ needs become more obvious and technologies adapt accordingly at all times. Such is the case of the smart hotel room with a climate control system, which is able to change the lighting of the room depending on the temperature set by the user. These tools make sure that the traveller can have a unique, excellent and incomparable experience. Beyond these solutions that, in some way, maintain an interaction with the public, the tourism industry has also been open to other advances that are more related to entertainment or business management. For example, today it is possible to find virtual reality glasses offered by certain hotels and airlines. Also, some businesses have facial recognition systems that help to avoid overcrowding.
Get all the beds you need and split the payments over 48 months
In addition to this, applications of augmented reality (which can be used to measure luggage and determine if it is possible to take it in the cabin) are gaining popularity among users and participants. In the same vein, ‘chatbots’ and virtual voice assistants are shaking up tourist companies and agencies in this technological journey where imagination has no limits.
market at the same prices. The total yield he expected to get on the $2 a night rooms was around $51 a night after costs.
“Supply of rooms has exceeded demand but it is a cyclical thing and the job now is to increase demand to match supply,” Mr Tate said.
He was still 13 years away from winning the mayoral chains but Mr Tate also made headlines in his first week, taking on fellow future mayor Ron Clarke over controversial comments which criticised Surfers Paradise’s skyline.
“It is true that the domestic market has let go a bit and needs to recover its full potential. The hotelier said he would be no worse-off with domestic tourists buying his rooms because he used to sell rooms to the Asia
The Olympic legend turned developer was speaking at a protest in Port Melbourne and warned Victorian planning authorities to learn from the Gold Coast experience and keep high rises off the beach.
May, 2019 | ResortNews
BUY BEDS NOW, PAY LATER.
TOURISM
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How to: Management Rights
Academy launches ha Widely acknowledged as one of the fastest growing industries in Australia covering 2.6 million lots and accommodating more than 2.2million people, the strata and property management sectors continue to attract investors of all ages, backgrounds and more importantly skills and experience – or the lack of‌ As with any business venture the identification of a good investment is key, but management rights is a complex industry influenced by a number of stakeholders and there are a multitude of components that are critical to the investment process.
appropriate steps to acquire a thorough understanding of the business, your rights as an owner, statutory or legislative (building compliance) obligations and the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.
The first step for any astute investor is to gain a clear understanding of the environment and process involved. This means being prepared, and taking the
To assist new managers be better prepared and able to operate in a transparent, profitable manner, Management Rights Academy has launched a number of services including
the introduction of a training handbook to new entrants and existing operators focusing on the ownership and operations of management rights. The knowledge a new entrant to the management rights industry has as they enter the industry can be very limited, and more often than not, it is limited to what they experienced on family holidays or the three days of mandatory RLA licensing
(which is focused on the letting aspects of the business). We see it all the time: many managers entering the industry are quite unsure of what they have to do, what the role entails, how they do it, and where to turn when they have an issue. So, whether you’re looking to buy a small to medium-size townhouse development or multi-storey, high-rise residential tower, possessing an understanding of the day-to-day management requirements, financial management responsibilities, building maintenance/compliance duties and functions and how to work with the body corporate committee are essential to your success. For new entrants this can be daunting. Management Rights Academy provide a number of training handbooks and publications that cover the process of purchasing management rights from concept, through the critical 90-day period, where to start on day one, the execution of the Caretaking Agreement and a fundamental understanding of how to drive profitability through the Letting Agreement. Authored primarily by Stephen West, an industry stalwart
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MANAGEMENT
ResortNews | May, 2019
andbook series experienced in all aspects of management rights and its operations, Stephen has asset managed multiple properties, mergers, partnerships across resorts, holiday and permanent complexes as well as an ‘off the plan’ multi-storey 220-apartment experience. Engaged as a speaker, mediator and collaborator, Stephen ensures that the aspects of operations, sustainability and profitability are delivered in an environment of compliance and transparency. Accredited as an early dispute prevention auditor, along with certifications in workplace, health and safety and corporate governance, he ensures mentoring to industry colleagues imparts rewarding results, both personally and financially. The first handbook ‘Professional Management Rights’, spans 270 pages including a handover checklist covering 50 pages alone. Volume one focuses on the purchase phase and emphasises the significance of dealing with industry experts. It takes a prospective buyer from how the industry interacts with various legislation and acts, the responsibilities of- and to the body corporate, partnerships, compliance with the Caretaking and Letting Agreements, and how the multiplier works. Speaking of the handbooks, Stephen says: “Large sections of the training handbooks have been devoted to ensuring a thorough understanding of the purchasing PNL and how multipliers work. “There is also emphasis on how a committee operates, what voting rights there are for both owners and meeting
attendees and how these meetings should be conducted. There is also information about how the various legislations and acts perform within the role of the body corporate and the committee, and how the building manager plays a crucial role in the daily operation of the scheme. “Committees are increasingly looking at the experience of an incoming building manager at an assignment meeting and while general life skills in maintenance, administration and the like are helpful, a basic understanding of the managers role, the industry and its acts and regulations will assist in achieving the best possible result. “Understanding the process before and during the early stages is essential as you form your own foundation skills,” adds Stephen. “Topics such as evaluating your suitability for partnerships and how working within a well-defined partnership agreement will enable you to
assess a much larger business, putting a business plan together for the lender and committee and understanding terminology within the agreements and the obligations these will have for the term of these agreements are all covered. The caretaking aspect of the training aligns the methodology of the task with the objective standards cross referenced with the ABMA Code while the letting aspect discusses marketing, forecasting and the balance of OTA bookings within the marketing mix. Additionally, human resources compliance, staffing via contractors, workplace health and safety, basic MYOB and reservations system interactions will also build the knowledge of both new and existing industry operators. Stephen says: “While reforms to licensing and a greater level of professionalism within the industry are being seen, the industry has traditionally not
invested in appropriate education streams and with little structured pre-training, new entrants commit to a multi-million dollar business without the foundations being understood. “To hear after a purchase, that a buyer did not know what regulation module their scheme operated under or having to outsource the writing of their business plan just doesn’t make business sense.” Volumes two and three will be released in the next two months. These stand-alone training handbooks will assist with business establishment and development, through to the business exit strategy. The course is currently available through training handbooks, but work is being undertaken to deliver the training in a classroom environment and an announcement on this will take place within a couple of months.
For further information call Stephen West on 0434 915 516, email ask@managementrights.education or visit www.managementrights.education
May, 2019 | ResortNews
MANAGEMENT
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Pattoo Castle | Jamaica
A luxury Jamaican villa experience like no other Jamaica’s national motto is, "Out of many, one people" – an effective description reflecting the diversity of the Jamaican people, being a mix of different races, cultures and religions. This is evident in the vast array of Jamaican cuisine mingling European, Chinese and Indian influences to name a few, and of course Bob Marley. Jamaica is the birth place of reggae music.
windsurfing, snorkelling, jetskiing, para-sailing, kayaking, sailing, boating, fishing, and presiding over it all is the luxury villa rental property, Pattoo Castle.
Less well known, but a ‘must visit’ on the west coast of Jamaica is the laid-back town of Negril. Water sports abound in this tropical paradise, including SCUBA diving, paddle-boarding,
Situated on a cliff with magnificent, unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea and magnificent white-sand beaches, offering privacy and seclusion in a quiet and unique setting, Pattoo
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The newly refurbished villa features 15 beds in eight bedrooms each with its own ensuite bathroom and controllable air-conditioning units. The villa also features two kitchens, your personal housekeeper can prepare light breakfast or a chef can be hired for the full duration of your stay or for a special event.
Castle is the perfect setting for couples, families, extended families and small groups. The Airbnb listing says that you can rent the magnificent villa for around $1200 per night, if you go in the spring. For this price though you’ll have enough room to host your entire family reunion or special event.
TOURISM
Indoors, the interiors are light and airy with plenty of windows to allow the cool Caribbean breeze in to the villa, overlooking the pool and stunning ocean-views. Outdoors, the property features a large, oceanfront fresh water infinity pool, and plenty of shaded space for al fresco dining and lounging. All of the best that Negril has to offer is within walking distance, including 7-mile beach, local restaurants, bars and shopping.
ResortNews | May, 2019
Richard Munro resigns Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA) Chief Executive Officer, Richard Munro has tendered his resignation to pursue new opportunities, after eight years at the AAoA.
of significant growth and organisational capability. Mr Munro commented, “It has been an enormous privilege and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the helm of the AAoA, seeing it through an unprecedented growth period and it will be business as usual with a strong Board and capable team in place”.
Commenting on Munro’s departure, the President of the AAoA, Mr Julian Clark said, “On behalf of our Board and members, we want to acknowledge and thank Richard for his years of service, contribution and leadership to both the industry and our organisation over his tenure.” “Mr Munro has grown the membership, our corporate partnerships and our brand to the respected leadership position that the AAoA now holds in the Tourism and Accommodation industries as well as the broader business sector,” said Mr Clark. “Richard and his team have recently delivered a major advocacy win for our members and the entire Accommodation industry, achieving a ban on
I am most proud of the fantastic, capable team we have built, expanding the association via our Advisory Boards and delivering on important advocacy outcomes. I have also appreciated the support of the President and the Board, the AAoA team, our members and commercial partners through our evolution and expansion phase.” Richard Munro
rate parity in Australia through legislation that the Australian Labor Party plan to introduce if elected. This is just one example of how Richard and the AAoA have worked to deliver a fantastic outcome for our industry. Richard is leaving our
organisation on a high as far as the AAoA and the industry goes,” Mr Clark commented. Mr Munro is a 30 plus year veteran of the Accommodation industry who has led the AAoA through a period
Mr Munro will resign from Federal and State Government Boards and workgroups such as the Federal Collaborative Partnership on Mature Age Employment and the New South Wales Short-Term Rental Accommodation Code of Conduct Advisory Committee, which his successor will join.
Nick Smith – Red10 Finance named state finalist at MFAA’s Excellence Awards The Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) has announced Nick Smith as a finalist in the Queensland, Newcomer category at the annual MFAA State Excellence Awards. The Awards highlight brokers, broker businesses and staff who have demonstrated exceptional customer service, professionalism, ethics, growth and innovation. This is Nick Smith’s first year as a finalist in the Excellence Awards. The MFAA Excellence Awards
May, 2019 | ResortNews
are the most rigorous in the Australian mortgage and finance industry and are judged by an independent panel of industry specialists, business professionals and experts. The last year has been full of change and increasing challenges for the finance broking industry, but Red10 Finance has been delivering better customer outcomes than ever due to their commitment to their customers and expertise in the lending market. “The MFAA has acknowledged Red10 Finance as a state finalist out of more than 560 total national awards
submissions. Nick Smith been rewarded for demonstrating his professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, growth and innovation,” the MFAA stated. “To be recognised as a finalist speaks volumes of their exceptional practice and professionalism in the mortgage and finance industry,” the MFAA added.
state’s winner. State winners will then have the opportunity to win the prestigious national title at the national awards ceremony, which will be held on 25 July in Melbourne.
Over the last 17 years the awards have played a key role in lifting the standards of service and professionalism in Australia’s mortgage and finance industry. All finalists, including Red10 Finance, have an opportunity to be recognised as their
EVENTS & APPOINTMENTS
Nick Smith
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Where the accommodation industry meets each year – NoVacancy Last July, more than 3,000 hotel and accommodation owners and operators hit Sydney for Australia’s largest hotel and hospitality industry tradeshow and conference, NoVacancy. They came from accommodation properties large and small - making the trip from around the country to spend two days finding inspiration and ideas that can drive better business results. We caught up with Brad Langton, NoVacancy Event Director, to understand what’s new, and in store for this year’s event:
Q. What can visitors expect to see at NoVacancy? A. Our team spends 12 months curating hundreds of quality suppliers across many categories; from soft ware for PMS, revenue management and marketing to decoration, art and furniture that enhance your guest experience, energy and cost saving solutions, food & beverage products, virtual
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as others that can make a difference in your business. It’s equally as beneficial for industry participants to see everything under one roof across two days. SPECIAL OFFER: Resort News subscribers can claim their free ticket by registering at NoVacancy.com.au and using promo code PRN19.
reality, robots and everything in between. It’s everything you’d expect and more importantly, amazing things you’ve not thought about that can help operators be more profitable.
Q. Last year there were a mix of seminars, is this the same in 2019? A. We’re launching seven education summits to run across this year’s event, each speaking to different job functions. They include the Hotel Leaders’ Summit, Small Hotelier Summit, Restaurant Reinvented Summit, Hotel
Engineering and Maintenance Summit, Hotel Marketing Summit, Revenue and Distribution Summit and a Design Summit that cover a variety of practical and tactical learnings.
Q. Is the event still free, how, and why? A. Yes, NoVacancy is completely free for professionals working in the accommodation industry. Suppliers fund the production of the event by participating in the expo; it gives them a platform to showcase the products and services you may already purchase, as well
EVENTS & APPOINTMENTS
NoVacancy Expo is the must-attend annual hotel and accommodation industry event so put it in your calendar and come visit the Resort News team at the expo!
The details: What:
NoVacancy Hotel + Hospitality Business Expo
When:
Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th July, 2019
Where: ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour Details: NoVacancy.com.au Offer:
Claim your free ticket today using promo code PRN19.
ResortNews | May, 2019
North American Australia marketplace
Applications are open until 17 May for Australian tourism businesses wanting to participate in the 2019 North American Australia Marketplace in Los Angeles from 26 to 29 August. Over 100 North American buyers and 100 Australian representatives of tourism
products and experiences will attend the event for three days of one-on-one appointments and networking opportunities. Attendance for North American wholesalers, retail advisors and Premier Aussie Specialists is by invitation only. The event is hosted by Australia's State and Territory tourism organisations in conjunction with Tourism Australia.
Tourism awards nominations open Nominations are open for 2019 tourism awards in Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales and the Canberra Region.
Tourism Australia is a sponsor of the State and Territory Tourism Awards as well as the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. The Australian Tourism Awards programs along with the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) and Star Ratings now all come under the Quality Tourism Framework.
2019 ARAMA INDUSTRY EVENTS CALENDAR For registration and/or event information please contact us on 1300 ARAMA Q (1300 27 26 27), email national@arama.com.au or visit: https://www.arama.com.au/ BRANCH
EVENT TITLE
DATE
TIME
Brisbane
Training and Education “State of the Nation”
Tuesday, 14 May 2019
6:00pm - 8:30pm Calamvale Hotel
LOCATION
REGISTRATION Opening Soon
Gold Coast
Training and Education “State of the Nation”
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
6:00pm - 8:30pm Nerang RSL
Opening Soon
Sunshine Coast Training and Education “State of the Nation”
Thursday, 16 May 2019
6.00pm - 8:30pm Maroochy Surf Club
Opening Soon
Brisbane
Management Rights Industry Training Program
Thursday, 13 June 2019
8.30am - 4:00pm Riverside Hotel
Open
Brisbane
Industry Forum
Tuesday, 23 July 2019
10:00am - 3:00pm Kedron-Wavell
Opening Soon
Brisbane
ARAMA Industry Awards Night
Tuesday, 23 July 2019
6:00pm - 10:00pm Tattersall’s Club
Opening Soon
Brisbane
Management Rights Industry Training Program
Monday, 12 August 2019
8:30am - 4:00pm Riverside Hotel
Open
Gold Coast
ARAMA Industry Expo
Tuesday, 20 August 2019
6:00pm - 9:00pm Southport Sharks
Opening Soon
Sunshine Coast ARAMA Industry Expo
Wednesday, 21 August 2019
6:00pm - 9:00pm Maroochy RSL
Opening Soon
Brisbane
ARAMA Industry Expo
Thursday, 22 August 2019
6:00pm - 9:00pm Kedron-Wavell
Opening Soon
Gold Coast
Management Rights Industry Training Program
Tuesday, 10 September 2019
8:30am - 4:00pm Property Training Australia
Open
Melbourne
Training and Education Roadshow
Thursday, 17 October 2019
6:00pm - 8:30pm Campari House
Opening Soon
Airlie Beach
Training and Education Roadshow
Tuesday, 29 October 2019
6:00pm - 8:00pm Coral Sea Resort
Opening Soon
Gold Coast
Training and Education Roadshow
Wednesday, 6 November 2019 6:00pm - 8:30pm Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club
Opening Soon
Sunshine Coast Training and Education Roadshow
Thursday, 7 November 2019
Opening Soon
Port Douglas
Training and Education Roadshow
Wednesday, 13 November 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm Oaks Port Douglas
Opening Soon
Cairns
Training and Education Roadshow
Thursday, 14 November 2019
6:00pm - 8:00pm Brothers Leagues Club
Opening Soon
Brisbane
Training and Education Roadshow
Tuesday, 19 November 2019
6:00pm - 8:30pm The Colmslie Hotel
Opening Soon
Brisbane
Management Rights Industry Training Program
Thursday, 28 November 2019
8:30am - 4:00pm Riverside Hotel
Open
May, 2019 | ResortNews
6:00pm - 8:30pm Maroochy RSL
EVENTS & APPOINTMENTS
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Built environment can drive energy efficiency gains Greater energy efficiency gains in the built environment is the big opportunity hiding in plain sight to help Australia meet its emissions reduction targets and cut energy costs for households and businesses.
The built environment contributes around 23 percent of Australia’s total emissions. Taking action to achieve greater energy efficiency in our residential and commercial buildings could cut emissions while saving Australian households and businesses more than $20 billion by 2030.
The Property Council of Australia has called for an affordable and sustainable energy road map as part of its 2019 federal election platform.
“While there is a lot the industry is achieving on its own, it makes sense for governments to incentivise further action,” Mr Morrison said.
“Coal mines and electric vehicles may have dominated electioneering on energy to date, but better energy efficiency in our built environment can be the real game-changer,” said Ken Morrison, Chief Executive of the Property Council.
“It’s smart policy to focus on the least-cost abatement opportunities in the economy and many of these are in the built environment.
“Much of our energy debate focuses on the supply side – poles, wires, coal, wind, solar and the like. We need to give more attention is paid to the demand side which, with the right policy settings and incentives, can produce just as meaningful cost savings and emissions reductions,” Mr Morrison said.
“An affordable and sustainable energy roadmap is one of the five points in our federal election platform. We are calling on the major parties to work with our industry to help shape an energy future that is affordable, reliable and sustainable. “It’s a tangible set of initiatives that is good for the bottom line and good for the planet,” Mr Morrison said.
Brisbane cruise terminal set to welcome one million passengers
Brisbane’s first cruise ship terminal is under way, with premier Annastacia Palaszczuk turning the sod on the $158 million project recently. The long-awaited terminal is scheduled to open in October 2020, with bookings already open for Brisbane’s first cruise season. Publicised as a significant economic boost for Queensland’s tourism industry, the premier said that the terminal will eventually host more than a million passengers each year. “Building this one piece of infrastructure flows through our entire economy. "Ships that were too long, too high and too deep to dock at Brisbane's Hamilton facility will have a dedicated cruise terminal.” Deloitte’s latest business outlook shows strong population growth numbers bolstering Queensland’s economy as “crazy” house prices send buyers north. Tourism numbers are also looking positive, with an expected economic upswing coming from tourism and mining.
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DEVELOPMENTS
“The renewed (albeit modest) falls in the Australian dollar over the past year augur well for renewed strength in tourism numbers ahead,” Deloitte partner Chris Richardson said. “That will be accommodated by the recent increased and ongoing investment in hotel capacity in some of the tourism hubs of the state.” Tourism minister Kate Jones said that Queensland’s cruise industry was booming. “Last financial year we saw 520 ships port in Queensland — 11 percent growth year-on-year, making the Sunshine State Australia's undisputed cruise capital.” The terminal is expected to handle over 1,100 vessels and at 1.8 million passengers within its first five years. The global cruise ship industry is growing, with at least 60 percent of the cruise ships calling in to Australia by 2020 estimated to be “mega” cruise ships — with a gross tonnage larger than 120,000. The Queensland government has confirmed that construction company Hindmarsh will deliver the $158 million building. ResortNews | May, 2019
Gold Coast’s $60.5m HOTA Gallery under way Official construction for the $60.5 million six-level “Home of the Arts” HOTA gallery has kicked off on the Gold Coast. The HOTA precinct, to be delivered on a 16.9 hectare site and within walking distance of Surfers Paradise, is part of the Gold Coast council’s vision for a central creative heart in line with its Cultural Precinct masterplan. Managing contractor Hansen Yuncken, who managed Hobart’s MONA, will oversee the design and construction of the 135 Bundall Road project. Yuncken will undertake bulk earthworks ahead of the building foundations and piling slated to start next month. Described as a “light, airy and sub-tropical building” it will comprise more than 2000sq m of
AAA rated exhibition space over six levels, a 1000sq m touring exhibition gallery fitted out to cater for temporary walls, and ground floor retail and dining spaces. Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate says the focus for the gallery is to become a cultural attractor for the Gold Coast. “The precinct is a home for the entire arts and cultural community in our city. It is a place where art and cultural
expression can be celebrated,” he said. It’s expected the gallery will generate around 187 direct jobs during construction, which is planned for completion by late 2020, with an early 2021 opening. The $37.5 million Outdoor Stage and concert lawn opened last year, while the $19.5 million Green bridge connecting pedestrians to Chevron Island is set to open later this year.
Gallery features: •
Vertical format gallery over six levels
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Rooftop experience at 30m above ground providing 270-degree views of the city skyline
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Rooftop has room for up to 100 people inside and 70 people on an outdoor terrace
•
Approximately 2000sq m of AAA-rated exhibition space, including:
•
1000sq m main exhibition gallery
•
145sq m children’s gallery
•
900sqm of permanent collection space over three levels.
Multiplex wins out on $3.6bn Queen’s Wharf Brisbane’s first cruise ship terminal is under way, with premier Annastacia Palaszczuk turning the sod on the $158 million project recently.
Tourism minister Kate Jones said
The long-awaited terminal is scheduled to open in October 2020, with bookings already open for Brisbane’s first cruise season.
making the Sunshine State
that Queensland’s cruise industry was booming. “Last financial year we saw 520 ships port in Queensland — 11 percent growth year-on-year, Australia's undisputed cruise capital.” The terminal is expected to
Publicised as a significant economic boost for Queensland’s tourism industry, the premier said that the terminal will eventually host more than a million passengers each year. “Building this one piece of infrastructure flows through our entire economy.
handle over 1,100 vessels and at 1.8 million passengers within its first five years. The global cruise ship industry is growing, with at least 60 percent of the cruise ships calling in to
"Ships that were too long, too high and too deep to dock at Brisbane's Hamilton facility will have a dedicated cruise terminal.”
Queensland’s economy as “crazy” house prices send buyers north. Tourism numbers are also looking positive, with an expected economic upswing coming from tourism and mining.
Deloitte’s latest business outlook shows strong population growth numbers bolstering
“The renewed (albeit modest) falls in the Australian dollar over the past year augur well
May, 2019 | ResortNews
for renewed strength in tourism numbers ahead,” Deloitte partner Chris Richardson said. “That will be accommodated by the recent increased and ongoing investment in hotel capacity in some of the tourism hubs of the state.”
DEVELOPMENTS
Australia by 2020 estimated to be “mega” cruise ships — with a gross tonnage larger than 120,000. The Queensland government has confirmed that construction company Hindmarsh will deliver the $158 million building.
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FOR SALE Abbey of the Roses
COUNTRY HOUSE MANOR WITH INCOME
This is a rare opportunity to privately own such a Stately Manor. The 1891 heritage listed 3 story sandstone boutique hotel is located in Warwick, QLD, less than 2 hours SW of Brisbane. •
Over 50 rooms including 12 bathrooms, 13 bedrooms with potential for another 7 bedrooms, function rooms & commercial kitchen.
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Private Chapel, Vestry, bell tower, 5 staircases & 4 fireplaces.
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1 hectare with tennis court, outdoor chess, lawns, gazebos, gardens, ample parking & space to land a helicopter!
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Premier wedding venue ABIA finalist for past 7 years catering for up to 120 inside, with potential to start a restaurant or café.
•
Room to grow the business with a full time owner/operator whilst enjoying an amazing lifestyle.
Offers over $2.2m for freehold For more information please contact Josh Thomas at Ray White 0421 324 372
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS RESORTS E SIV U L EXC
E SIV U L EXC
TINGALPA
BRISBANE
IMPRESSIVE BODY CORPORATE SALARY
KING OF TOWNHOUSE COMPLEXES
This Brisbane management rights business for sale has an enviable manager’s renumeration of $133,000 and represents a sizeable proportion of total net income. A gated townhouse complex in the popular suburb of Tingalpa this business has no set office hours and is close to all that the family needs.
You want BIG? Profits around $550,000 and Body Corporate Salary of over $350,000 this suburban Brisbane business is worth your attention!
The three bedroom townhouses on offer to tenants are very popular and the shared facilities include a BBQ and swimming pool only. With office on title and a new 25 year agreement on offer this is a business worthy of your attention.
Bobo Qi
0438 027 771
Situated in a prime location this modern townhouse permanent letting business has long terms remaining on management agreements. A comfortable and very spacious three bedroom, two level, manager’s townhouse has office on title. Enquire with us now before this goes
bobo@propertybridge.com.au
NETT $547,000 PRICE $3,595,000
NETT $184,000 PRICE $1,339,000
E SIV U L EXC
E SIV U L EXC
SURFERS PARADISE
PACIFIC PINES
STANDING TALL
Iconic Surfers Paradise, High-Rise resort on the river and across from the beach. Secure and serene with excellent facilities including Marina. Impressive reception with expansive front and back office. Generous salary and supportive Body Corporate committee. Smart marketing strategies and high rankings ensure future growth. Opportunities abound to increase growing net income. Very stylish two bedroom manager’s apartment has dual living zones and gardens AND you can bring both the pooch and the boat!
NETT $191,000 PRICE $1,279,000
SUPERB GOLD COAST FAMILY OPTION
Rhonda Perkins 0418 767 115
Impressive freestanding 4 bedroom home in peaceful well maintained gated townhouse estate. Convenience with easy access to MI, Westfield, heavy and light rail, schools and local shopping. 70% investors and an excellent Body Corporate relationship makes for a happy life. Security of 22 years to run and Gallery Vie compliant. Spacious office on title with no set hours, four car accommodation and two storage sheds. Ultra-private residence with extensive fully fenced garden just great for children or pets. Currently run by one person. Only three Manager’s in 18 years! See it and you’ll understand why!
rhonda@propertybridge.com.au
propertybridge.com.au
NETT $119,000 PRICE $1,050,000
New Managers Lloyds of Southport
www.accomproperties.com.au
Sales Report MANAGEMENT RIGHTS Gold Coast The Atrium Resort
Pragma Investments P/L
Biggera Waters
RB
Meadowlands Crest & Heights
Frank & Lilian Chen
Arundel
MRS
Lloyds of Southport
Peter & Eva Zhang
Southport
MRS
Highline Apartments
Avalon Group P/L
West End
RB
Mode Apartments
HT Group Mode Newstead P/L
Newstead
RB
Thistle Court
Na Wei
MRS
Brisbane
Peter & Eva Zhang with Phil Trimble
Phil and the team at MR Sales wish both Eva and Peter Zhang all the very best with their recent purchase of the management rights at Lloyds of Southport.
approvals including one EGM. A big thanks goes to Sharon Flood from Flood Legal acting for the vendor and Julie Schutt from Small Myers Hughes acting for the purchaser.
Having three buildings side by side, the process was fairly complex requiring three lots of
With Eva and Peter settled in, we believe they will do very well in this industry.
Morayfield
Sunshine Coast / Wide Bay / Fraser Coast Aqua Promenade
Andrew & Julia Paltridge
Sunshine Beach
Sea Pearl
Shardev P/L
Mooloolaba
Adrain Leary
Yeppoon
ARMS MRS
Northern Territory Oshen Yeppoon
RB
MOTELS & OTHER Queensland
TheManagement Rights Lawyers
Montville Mountain Inn
John Torpy
Montville
RB
Quest Chermside
Michael Carr
Chermside
RB
Coral Villa Motel
J & K Rout
Bundaberg
TB
CMotel Kempsey
David & Jaine Clark
South Kempsey
RB
Quest Maitland
Kazi Sarwar
Maitland
RB
Yambil Inn Motel
Don & Anthony Sergi
Griffith
Gilgandra Motel
C & M Buckley
Gilgandra
TB
Colonial Motor Inn
J. Donnelly
West Wyalong
TB
Cobb Inlander Motel
Patel
Hay
TB
Squatters Motel
P & T Clare
Casino
TB
Dean Vegas
Port Pirie
RB
John William O`Sulllivan
Harrietville
New South Wales
BUYING/SELLING ASSISTANCE
OFF THE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
South Australia
RENEWAL STRATEGY
Ellen Hotel
South Australia
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Harrietville Hotel Motel
CRE
Note: Agent/Broker involved in the sale is listed last.
www.mahoneys.com.au 40
CRE
Agent - KEY: ARMS - Australian Resort Management Sales; CBMR - Calvin Bailey Management Rights; CRE - CRE Brokers; MRS - MR Sales; QTHB - Queensland Tourism & Hospitality Brokers; RAAS - RAAS Rights; RBA - Resort Brokers Australia; RS - Resort Sales; TO - Tom Offermann; TB - Tourism Brokers; TMR - Think Management Rights; SC - Stratacorp. * In conjunction
PROPERTY
ResortNews | May, 2019
JUST LISTED! New Exclusive Agency Listings
Absolute Riverfront Luxury - Brisbane
Currumbin Mixed Letting • Great family location
• Small manageable letting pool of 14
• All units face north with brilliant views
• Principally a supervisory role • Quality position equates to good, strong rental levels
• 12 units in the letting pool
• Fantastic area with many adjoining facilities and services
• Permanent rents from $550 per week
• Very realistically priced
• Strong repeat business
• Manager’s office attached and on title
• Close to the airport
Exclusive Agent: Greg Jorgensen 0407 721 335 ID8933
$290,232
Exclusive Agent: Phil Trimble 0418 478 966 $2,200,000
Surfers Paradise Holiday Resort
ID7823
Exclusive Agent: Phil Trimble 0418 478 966 $525,000
• New Accommodation Module agreements for the new manager • Current managers retiring after 8 years • No set office hours, no requirement to live onsite • Low ground maintenance • 94 unit complex, 51 units in the letting pool • Growth potential with 23 outside lets
Exclusive Agent: Phil Trimble 0418 478 966
PRICE ON APPLICATION
Brisbane Permanent Complex
ID8035
Exclusive Agent: Mark English 0437 949 113 $121,219
$205,000
$1,370,000
One for the Family – Pacific Pines
• Minimal caretaking duties and no set office hours • Easily run by one person with time to enjoy other activities • Strong letting pool with only 3 outside agents • 23 years remaining on agreements • Stylish 3 bedroom residence with plenty of living space • Situated in one of Brisbane North’s fasted growing communities
ID8669
$1,495,300
Iconic Southport Resort
• Mid rise with growth potential • Approximately 63 keys in the letting pool • Accommodation Module agreements • Resort style facilities • Over 70% of owners in the pool have bundled • Experienced staff to facilitate the changeover
ID8934
$161,510
• Permanent management rights • 24 x 3 bedroom townhouses in the letting pool • 23.5 years to run on agreements • Currently run by single operator • Large four bedroom residence • Room for a growing family • Close to M1 and rail for commuters
Exclusive Agent: Warren Oliver 0416 216 625 $955,000
ID7857
MR Sales have an extensive range of listings Australia wide Visit www.mrsales.com.au to view them now or Phone: 1300 928 556 | Email: sales@mrsales.com.au
www.mrsales.com.au
$120,000
$1,050,000
EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT RIGHTS PURCHASE OPPORTUNITIES VARSITY LAKES •
Large ‘Rare’ central Gold Coast Permanent Complex
•
76 of 99 Townhouses in the letting pool
•
3 Bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse
•
Substantial BC remuneration of $212,000
•
Perfect for husband and wife team
NETT PROFIT $386,400
TOTAL $2,900,000
SURFERS PARADISE •
2 Managers apartments, 1 x 1 Bed, 1 x 2 Bed
•
High-rise complex with 109 keys, 42 units in Letting Pool
•
25 Year Caretaking and Letting Agreement
•
Large tower style complex
•
Excellent building facilities and attractions
NETT PROFIT $420,000
TOTAL $3,300,000
BURLEIGH HEADS •
Burleigh Heads beachfront location
•
Renovated 2 Bedroom, 2 bathroom managers apartment
•
Excellent building amenities and services
•
High rise tower with minimal grounds
•
Potential to grow occupancy and letting pool
NETT PROFIT $366,000
TOTAL $2,675,000
SOUTHPORT •
94 unit unique holiday opportunity with substanitial upside
•
2 Bedroom, 2 bathroom managers unit
•
Accommodation Module
•
Room to increase letting pool & occupancy
•
Close to the Broadwater and all amenities
NETT PROFIT $205,000
CHARLES NURSE
DUSTIN ALLEN
M: 0477 826 666 E: charles@stratacorp.com
M: 0424 104 310 E: dustin@stratacorp.com
WWW.STRATACORP.COM
If you are looking to buy or sell, contact us!
TOTAL $1,370,000
1800 111 622
Resort Management Sales:
A personal approach to every transaction L to R Lindsay Petty, Barry Davies & Matt Campbell
Renowned for their integrity, knowledge and honesty, and for being the longest serving and only dedicated management rights agency on the Sunshine Coast, the close-knit RMS team deliver a unique mix of knowledge, experience and ‘old fashioned values’ that ensure a personal approach to every transaction. With more than 50-years combined experience in management rights sales, and over 400 sales between them, RMS believe that they have the vision (and local knowledge) to match sellers, buyers and properties in an open and honest way. • RMS have extensive contractual experience and a thorough understanding of what is required by all parties, effectively ensuring the best possible result for everyone. • RMS have developed long-term, trusted business relationships with specialist industry professionals over the years and therefore the ability to keep the contract ‘on the go’. • RMS have been involved in the sales of some properties three or four times, and hold the record on the Sunshine Coast for the largest number of management rights sales in volume. • The RMS association with the seller and buyer does not end after the sale. Having ‘been there and done that’ as resident managers, the team are all able to offer advice and support, as well as access to a network of professional service providers on all aspects of marketing, guest and owner relations, housekeeping, IT systems, licensing, government issues, relief management and more. • The ‘old fashioned’ approach of honesty, professionalism and integrity in the RMS operation is evidenced by the supportive friendship and support that exists between the partners across the client base – dealing with one means access to the expertise of all! FOR ALL THINGS MANAGEMENT RIGHTS, PLEASE CONTACT: Matt Campbell 0410 343 219 matt@managementrights.com
Barry Davies 0438 554 995 barry@managementrights.com
Lindsay Petty 0407 029 138 lindsay@managementrights.com
RESORTBROKERS.COM.AU
|
1300 665 966
SELECT THE BEST. HIGH LIFE. HIGH INCOME. THE CREAM OF THE CROP. FULLSTOP. EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT RIGHTS LISTINGS
MAIN BEACH
C O O L A N G AT TA
PALM COVE
ABSOLUTE HOLIDAY BEACHFRONT
BEACHSIDE OASIS IN COOLANGATTA
RARE FREEHOLD. PRESTIGE PALM COVE.
• 25 years on agreements • Boutique 2-bedroom holiday apartments • 23 units total and 15 in the letting pool
• Gallery Vie compliant • 19 years remaining on agreements • 15% ROI
• 5 buildings, 44 apartments • Set on a prime 7,405m2 • Students, FIFO, tourists & permanents
Net: >$223K Price: $1.83M
Net: $366K Price: $2.37M
Net: $358K Offers over $5M
C O N TA C T PA U L M U E L L E R
C O N TA C T TO D D WA R N E R
C O N TA C T K I R S T E N L O W I S
0439 255 507 | paul@resortbrokers.com.au
0438 170 763 | todd@resortbrokers.com.au
0428 499 620 | kirstenl@resortbrokers.com.au
AIRLIE BEACH
PEREGIAN BEACH
PORT DOUGLAS
AWARD-WINNING 5-STAR LUXURY
RARE & IRREPLACEABLE PROFITABLE BEACHFRONT RESORT PORT DOUGLAS
• 30 spacious apartments • Strong performing holiday business • Panoramic island views
• 21 free standing beach houses • 3-bed manager’s beach house and office • 24 years remaining on agreements
• Zoned Holiday/short term only • All apartments in letting pool • Maximum upshot for a motivated manager
Net: $585,792 Price: $3.8M
Net: $316K Price: $2.36M
Net: $322,381 Price: $1.835M
C O N TA C T D E S FA G G
C O N TA C T G L E N N M I L L A R
C O N TA C T C H E N O A D A N I E L
0427 849 119 | des@resortbrokers.com.au
0412 277 804 | glenn@resortbrokers.com.au
0403 143 151 | chenoa@resortbrokers.com.au
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Jenny and John Gaynor
Country people
at heart By Trish Riley, Editor
The friendliness and down-to-earth honesty normally attributed to ‘country people’ is an apt description of Jenny and John Gaynor, longterm resident managers of Caribbean Noosa, a ‘boutique’ short-stay property situated in the heart of Noosa. Formerly farmers from Wagga before careers in teaching and hospitality, and now the mines for John, the couple exude cordiality and appear made for
46
management rights. It’s hard to believe then that it took them almost two years to find and settle on their perfect property. And perfect it is… Set among one acre of lush tropical gardens with a private sandy beach for swimming and watersports, Caribbean Noosa is a secluded and peaceful paradise of just sixteen, welcoming onebedroom holiday apartments. Ideal for couples or those wanting to ‘escape from it all’, the units are available in a choice of waterfront, poolside, or garden situation
and offer private courtyards. All are self-contained with a kitchenette and reverse cycle air-conditioners, and have been refurbished to present a light and modern décor. Mezzanine level bedrooms feature queen size beds while spacious living areas include a double sofa lounge/bed, flat screen televisions, Foxtel cable television and free wifi (Netflix to come soon). External amenities of the property include a large heated swimming pool, a private jett y with picturesque dining settings (enjoy a champagne brekky on the water) and ample space
PROFILES
for guests to dock their boat or jetski, a barbecue gazebo with picnic tables overlooking the pool and river, and kayak and paddleboard hire. The list of possible activities doesn’t end there however. Within a few minutes easy walk is the world-famous ‘Hastings Street’ replete with a wonderful choice of restaurants, cafes, boutique shopping and dayspas; and when that becomes ‘enough’, guests can leave the noise and crowds and head over to the beautiful Noosa Heads Main Beach. As one of the few beaches along Australia's coastline that
ResortNews | May, 2019
faces north, Noosa Heads Main Beach is the best option for families or those who are not confident in the surf, as it has gentle waves and is patrolled by surf lifesavers! Moderate waves and safe for swimming all year round, Noosa Main Beach is patrolled 365 days a year and is only steps away from famous Hastings Street. And if the surf and sand gets too much, guests can take a stroll through the spectacular Noosa National Park with its wildlife, stunning coastal walks, and shady bush tracks.“We knew as soon as we saw the
property in late 2010 that it was the one we had been waiting for,” says Jenny. “We had two young children back then, and apart from the manager’s unit being unusually large, we fell in love with Noosa and all that it has to offer. “For a relatively laid-back town there is always something going on; whether its whale watching, 4x4 trails, river cruises, deep sea fishing, walking, driving, riding or cycling through Noosa’s dramatic coastal and hinterland landscapes or sampling the extraordinary breadth of the Noosa gourmet scene.
Wifi that keeps your guests happy!
1300 55 77 54 • sales@timeoutinternet.com www.timeoutinternet.com
Ascendia are proud to assist Jenny & John at Caribbean Noosa Experienced Management Rights Accountants with over 12 years experience, locally available and offering a full range of services, including:
10% discount
Audits Compliance Tax Planning P&L For Sale Verifications
for Resort News readers when booked direct* *please mention this ad when booking
(07) 5343 1000
Ask for David at the Mooloolaba Office or Ask for Angela at the Noosa Office managementrights@ascendia.com.au
p: 07 5447 2247 e: reception@caribbeannoosa.com.au 15 Noosa Parade, Noosa Heads Qld 4567 www.caribbeannoosa.com.au
www.ascendiaaccountants.com.au May, 2019 | ResortNews
PROFILES
47
“Despite its celebrity status however, Noosa still feels like a ‘country town’,” says Jenny, “ just with a whole lot of added benefits. Whatever experience you choose, rest assured that there’s more in store for your next visit.” And it appears their guests concur. The majority of the soughtafter bookings at Caribbean Noosa are made by returning guests - sometimes for stays of up to four weeks, and the Booking.com rate of 8.9 and online reviews reflect a common
48
theme: “a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere”, “wonderful personal service”, “very friendly hosts” and even “John and Jenny consistently go the extra mile”. The positive feedback has not led to them sitting on their laurels however. “We’re aware of changes in the industry such as the introduction and growth of Airbnb,” says Jenny, “and that this year has been a little quieter than normal, so we are upping the ante on our marketing and communication strategies. We have recently done a review
of our branding and signage and will be updating our website in the near future.” “Our communication however, is not all external. We have a very good relationship with all of the owners and the body corporate, and believe that this is largely due to the level of communication and interaction that we have with them. “Our owners are positive and supportive, and together we are constantly looking for ways to improve our guest experience. “Management rights is a complex industry and it can
PROFILES
be more difficult because of the number of personalities involved, but if you are able to build a relationship of mutual trust so that all stakeholders know that you are doing what is best for the resort and the owners, then the battle is half won. “I know it’s been said before, but it bears repeating,” says Jenny. “Management rights is a great, long-term business, but you need to make sure that you’re the right type of person for it. Just as living in a country town is not for everyone, neither is the hospitality industry.”
ResortNews | May, 2019
A haven for many
By Trish Riley, Editor
It’s pertinent, and oddly synergistic, that just a few days after commemorating the 104th Anzac Remembrance Day of those Australian and New Zealand soldiers that fought and died for their country at the premier battle of the First World War, ResortNews is profiling a unique and invaluable development designed to provide affordable holiday accommodation for current and former service personnel and their families. As I got to discover when talking to resident managers Chris and Wendy Ward however, there is little about this property that has happened by chance… In 1915, recognising the need for a safe and recreational environment for soldiers of all denominations, Reverend Canon David John Garland established a fund known as the Soldiers May, 2019 | ResortNews
Wendy and Chris Ward
Church of England Help Society to raise money for the work of the church in camps and in 1916, the fund acquired a parcel of land between Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks on the shores of Rainbow Bay. Tents were erected and soldiers were encouraged to seek respite there both before departure, and on their return from the war. Later, in 1918, the tents were replaced with two large sheds to provide accommodation for wounded soldiers recuperating after hospital treatment and a place where others could seek respite: Thousands did. Between the wars, the "Sailors and Soldiers Rest Home", as it became known, welcomed servicemen of all denominations
for short-stay holidays. Accommodation was dormitory style and ‘guests’ shared bathrooms, and the communal kitchen and dining and facilities. Maintenance was supported by an active committee and a group of generous volunteers drawn from the communities of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. In 1939, the sheds were painted and plumbed for hot water and the work of ministering to the needs of returned soldiers continued as tens of thousands of serving and ex-service personnel spent time at the beachfront facility. In June 1954, a red brick holiday house, named "St George's Holiday House" was opened by the Chair of the Queensland
PROFILES
Patriotic Fund, Sir John Chandler, a second stage was completed in 1958 and a third in 1961. The total cost was 54,000 Pounds. Apart from major refurbishments between 1992 and 1999, St George's Holiday House remained much the same until a decision to replace the old buildings with a more modern facility was taken in 2014 and 100 years after inception, demolition of the old buildings commenced. The Garland building, incorporating St George’s Defence Holiday Suites opened in December 2016 and has already hosted thousands of eligible guests including the children and families of some of the original guests, and for those who do not qualify for St George's, they can enjoy a holiday in the strata-titled luxury apartments of The Garland, situated in the same development. Located on the three lower floors of the modern development, St George’s offers a wide range of elegant, self-contained accommodation including a range of studio and two-bedroom apartments with interconnecting rooms for larger groups.
49
All rooms are air-conditioned and most offer a private vantage point of the picturesque Pacific Ocean complemented by a warm paint palette accented with seaside tones, effectively encapsulating comfort, community interaction and refined luxury. The combined development also offers expansive indoor and outdoor community areas including a large lounge and games room, a kitchen and entertainment area, undercover car parking, guest laundries on each level, a sparkling swimming pool and even an area dedicated to worship if required. Regular events such as trivia nights, movie nights, board
50
particularly those affected by PTSD, and when interviewed Chris and Wendy were about to embark on a specialised first aid training/ PTSD course so as to be able to better relate to guests needing assistance. The original photo of the Rest House
games and a ‘happy-hour’ once a fortnight compleement the community living environment while external activities include an idyllic beach just metres from the entrance, world class entertainment at Twin Towns Clubs & Resorts, boutique shopping at the Tweed Mall shopping centre or bustling
Marine Parade in Coolangatta, and regular tours and transfers to the well-known Gold Coast theme parks. Operated by Service Personnel Anglican Help Society Inc (SPAHS), St George's has become a safe haven for service and former service personnel,
PROFILES
With a diverse yet related background in hospitality; having owned KFC restaurants, pubs, motels and even a newspaper, Chris and Wendy also have more than fifteen years of management rights experience including owning Gold Coast-based Mari Court Resort and Nineteenth Avenue On The Beach, and both hold full real estate licenses. Chris was also chairman of ARAMA for many years.
ResortNews | May, 2019
So, does this uniquely ‘mixed’ property and caretaking role differ from the standard management rights model? Chris answers enthusiastically: “When we sold our last property we were prett y sure that we wouldn’t be getting back into management rights again, but the caretaking role for St George’s became available and we now have best of both worlds. Wendy and I thoroughly enjoy the accommodation industry and derive a great deal of happiness and satisfaction from being a part of this particular initiative.
enjoy it.” When asked what advice he would give to couples contemplating management rights as a business, Chris says: “Prospective buyers of management rights need to understand (and appreciate) that it is a large investment; and that despite being the person who fronts up with the
capital, the daily management of the property is often influenced by the whims of at least half a dozen people that may or may not have knowledge of the role, or how to manage a building.
“The model is fundamentally sound but I believe it’s reached a point of needing refinement in terms of mandatory training and education, a more comprehensive handover or induction process and possibly the introduction of national licensing requirements for body corporate managers.
Management rights as an industry is still evolving,” adds Chris.
“Ultimately, management rights is a people business, and while managers need to practice tolerance - not just of guests but of the community as a whole, so do the various stakeholders for the longterm benefit of all involved. Remember the adage about ‘it taking all sorts to make the world go round’.
“Our greatest challenge,” says Chris, “is increasing awareness of the facility to ensure that those who qualify are given the opportunity to come and
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR PROPERTY FEATURED IN RESORT NEWS? PROFILES ARE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO: resortnew • Impress your unit owners s • Receive recognition for your hard work (and that of your staff) • Lift the awareness of your property within the industry • Help build relationships with other managers • Lift the profile of your property for when you are ready to sell
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Issue 263 | July
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Airbnb’s cial Re port: distingu impact: Regula ish betw tio een shar n needs to old com ing and plain mercial letting
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PROFILES
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RESORT SPECIALISTS FOR OVER 25 YEARS
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www.daydreamleisure.com.au | www.casualfurniture.com.au Cnr Main Drive & Nicklin Way, Warana, Qld 4575 1/37 Gibson Rd Noosaville 4566 Email: sales@daydreamleisure.com.au
4/2 Cnr Captain Cook Drive & Kendor St, Arundel, QLD 421 Email: coastalcasualoutdoors@gmail.com
Ph: 07 5493 4277
Ph: 07 5594 0788 / 0418 765 257
The Preferred Supplier Programme assisting the industry
Be like Bob!
Call today (07) 5493 4150 and get excited !
ACCOUNTANTS & AUDITORS
This is extremely helpful for all accommodation providers but especially new managers as it allows them to benefit from the positive experiences other managers have had with their suppliers.
All nominations received are then qualified through a secondary questionnaire process to ensure nominated suppliers are able to provide the highest levels of service required and expected by managers.
3.
Suppliers that still qualify are then asked to commit to the required levels of service for the next 12 months guaranteeing their commitment to the industry.
4.
Subject to the satisfaction of these processes and commitments suppliers then go on to the Preferred Supplier Database. Only Preferred Suppliers in May, 2019 | ResortNews
• P&L for Sale • Bank Financials • All Tax Compliance • Purchaser Due Diligence
(07) 5343 1000
Ask for David at the Mooloolaba Office or Ask for Angela at the Noosa Office
managementrights@ascendia.com.au
www.ascendia.com.au
Specialist Advisers to the Accommodation & Hospitality Industry
this database have the opportunity to utilise the Preferred Supplier logo and make their contact details available to managers via the Preferred Supplier Directory, located in every issue of Resort News (and online at accomnews.com. au/business-directory).
Listed below are the stages of the process that ensure only the best industry suppliers can participate in the Preferred Supplier Programme:
2.
Experienced Management Rights Accountants
Fixed Price Available
It allows managers to access industry specialists who are committed to the highest levels of service and dedicated to the accommodation and hospitality industries.
All suppliers must receive a nomination from a property currently using their services that is completely satisfied with their levels of service and are prepared to recommend them to another complex in the industry (ie. if asked by another manager they could comfortably recommend the required supplier).
accountants
Bob is over the moon, because he chose Alltech to repaint his Apartment Building...
For over 21 years in Australia the Preferred Supplier Programme and directory has been an extremely valuable and effective tool for accommodation managers.
1.
ABSEILING SERVICES
5.
Preferred suppliers have their status reviewed every 12 months to ensure they still qualify and that their commitment to the industry is being met.
With these criteria in place it means that you as a manager have access to a complete range of specialist suppliers who are actively seeking to improve their services to the accommodation industry.
McAdam Siemon Pty Ltd Specialist Accountants & Business Advisors to the Accommodation Industry • Verification reports • P&L for Sale • Motel Due Diligence • Motel Business Plans • Trust Account Audits • Training & Setup on Cloud Accounting Software for MR and Motels
All Engagements Are Fixed Price. Brisbane: 07 3421 3421 shodgetts@mcadamsiemon.com.au Noosa Heads: 07 5474 8955 Buderim: 07 5408 4622 porielley@mcadamsiemon.com.au
Audits ~ Taxation Feasibilities ~ Due Diligence Reports
07 5631 6900 info@hostrata.com.au www.hostrata.com.au
Specialist Business Advisors to the Management and Letting Industry • Due Diligence Reports • Trust Account Audits • Structure Advice & Tax Compliance Brisbane Level 4, 97 Creek St, Brisbane Gold Coast Level 3, Southport Central 3, 9 Lawson St, Southport
Smiljan Jankovic 0423 595 910 SmiljanJ@archergowland.com.au
www.mcadamsiemon.com.au
For your own peace of mind when dealing with any supplier ask if they are a Preferred Supplier. This can be verified by viewing a Preferred Supplier logo – made available for use in any of their stationery or marketing material or more simply by locating them in the Preferred Supplier Directory. So when looking for products or services give yourself the peace of mind that you are dealing with a recognised industry specialist and support these suppliers who are committed to servicing your needs. ■ PREFERRED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
www.archergowland.com.au
Due diligence reports Structure and taxation advice Trust account auditing Risk and superannuation Telephone 07 55202144 Paul Shannon paul@brownandbenson.com.au www.brownandbenson.com.au
Look for the sign of an Industry Specialist
Find them online Wherever, Whenever! www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
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ASBESTOS REMOVAL Accounting & Taxation Trust Account Audits Tax Planning & Structures
BEDSPREADS & BEDCOVERING PRODUCTS
ALL ASBESTOS REMOVED - QUEENSLAND WIDE
P: 5456 4018
Specialist Management Rights Accountants
E: renee@rcbaccounting.com.au W: rcbaccounting.com.au Eagle_Dad_Print.pdf 1 31/03/15
Contact : PETER MEYERS
10:47 AM
- NORTH QUEENSLAND -
155 Varsity Pde, Varsity Lakes, Qld 4227 t : (07) 5630 6559 m : 0402 943 549 e : peter@pmag.com.au
www.pmag.com.au
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BATHROOM RENOVATIONS
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Due Diligence Auditing Taxation Business Advice CM
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07 5557 8700
K
Paul Gaffney
mail@mbapartnership.com.au mail@mbapartn
AIR CONDITIONING www.mbapartn www.mbapartnership.com.au www.managementrightsaustralia.net
BEDS & BEDDING
BODY CORPORATE MANAGERS
Structuring Income Verification Audit Accounting/Taxation SMSF Estate Planning Email: jhanaghan@jonathangrant.com.au
Phone 07 5534 4333
When your Business Needs a Tune or a Service
• Bookkeeping • Marketing • Business Management
A H A P PY GUEST
• Human Resources
Where Value & Service are No.1!
www.businessmechanic.com.au (02) 6583 8386
pbbconsult - Chartered Accountants
STARTS WITH
Specialist Accommodation Industry Advisers QLD/NSW/VIC Ph: (07) 5449 9992 W: www.pbbconsult.com.au
A GOOD N I G H T 'S R E S T
- GOLD COAST MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS management rights income verification management rights trust account auditing preparation of bank review / re-finance figures
phone 07 5575 9649 | mobile 0411 841 868 erikathomas@bigpond.com www.managementrightsauditor.com.au
- SUNSHINE COAST “YOUR GUIDING LIGHT ON MANAGEMENT RIGHTS”
Hi-Rise Air Conditioning
FOR OVER 20 YEARS
Verification Reports - Due Diligences Tax Planning & Structures For Sale Figures - Auditing Tax & Accounting
1300 654 000 ahbeardcommercial.com
New name... Bigger range... with the same great
service
Your Sunshine Coast
Management Rights Specialists
07 3220 9400 abcm.com.au
Industry leaders with an active approach to body corporate management
Personal Service. Trusted Advice.
Gold Coast: (07) 5592 0266 w w w. L M g o l d s t a r. c o m . a u
manufacturers of quality bedding QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Personal, Professional, Reliable Service Brisbane to Far North Queensland
FACTORY PRICES DIRECT
strata title consultants & body corporate managers
P:07 5443 3138
F:07 5443 3334 sunshine@selectstrata.com.au www.selectstrata.com.au
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FIRST INTERVIEW FREE! Greg Kamp FCPA FTI
07 5443 7789
“Holbrook House” 48-50 Sugar Road Maroochydore
info@kampba.com.au
www.kampba.com.au
Supplying the Gold Coast, Southern Brisbane and Northern New South Wales regions with quality air conditioning services since 1977.
Call 07 5522 1044
enquiries@climatecontrol.net.au
www.climatecontrol.net.au
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sleepmakercommercial.com.au
PREFERRED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
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COMPUTER SOFTWARE
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Look for the sign of an Industry Specialist
d an d o io ad m er lo de ial p wn tr do a vi
Talk to our body corporate experts.
Reservations and Trust Accounting
07 5341 6500 bcs_sunshinecoast@bcssm.com.au
BROCHURE DISPLAY
Daily Reconciliation – Systematic Distribution
CARPET & CARPET TILES
Holiday
Year 1 $1,100
Year 2+ $599
Resident
Year 1 $990
Year 2+ $440
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from
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$220 to $330 p.a.
Phone (07) 5446 2135
www.pumasoftware.com.au
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Trust Accounting Module Built-in CRM Channel Manager Automatic Communications Cloud & Desktop Solutions 99% of our support requests
07 5499 6222 info@SunshineCoastBrochureDisplay.com.au
CURTAINS & CURTAIN FABRIC
are attended to within 20 mins
www.wizardcarpets.com www.SunshineCoastBrochureDisplay.com.au
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1800 671 179
Quality Electrical Appliances
New name... Bigger range...
Across the Sunshine Coast Call 0438 302 591 www.firstresort.com.au
• CONCRETE FATIGUE & CRACKING? • WATER INGRESS? • POOL JOINTS FAILED; TANKS? • BASEMENT LEAKING; RISING DAMP? • ROOF MEMBRANES FAILED? • CAR PARK JOINTS?
CIWREMEDIAL.COM.AU
1300 88 53 70 service@ciwremedial.com.au
HIRISE MAINTENANCE PTY LTD
PAINTING, ABSEIL ANCHOR INSTALL & CERTIFICATION, BUILDING WASHDOWNS, SIGN INSTALLATION, CONCRETE CANCER REPAIRS, SEALING REPAIRS/WATERPROOFING, WINDOW CLEANING & GENERAL MAINTENANCE
0435 818 380
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ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
• We clean carpets, tiles, mattresses and upholstery • Professional maintenance and emergency cleans • Water extraction and flood restoration
ASSET MAINTENANCE
M 0476 327 736 darrensbsc@bigpond.com
www.reimaster.com.au * Contact us for the T&C’s
Risk or Repair?
Expert Advice • Great Range Friendly Service • Quick Turn Around
with the same great
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LIFESTYLE
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Gold Coast: (07) 5592 0266 w w w. L M g o l d s t a r. c o m . a u
CLEANING
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS SEE THE SPECIALISTS IN L.E.D. REPLACEMENT LIGHTING
RESORT & COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICING THE SUNSHINE COAST FOR OVER 15 YEARS
Repairs - Maintenance - Installations Testing & Repairs of Emergency Lighting Appliance Repairs
David: 0421 618 566 jporter01@bigpond.com
(07) 5591 9191
FROM NOOSA TO KAWANA
QLD LIC. 9107 NSW LIC. EC29426
www.hirisemaintenance.com hirisemaintenance@gmail.com
✆5474 3299 FAX 6474 3099
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CLEANING CONTRACTORS - REFUSE CHUTES Shute Cleaning Services Pty Ltd
Chute Cleaning / Upgrading - All Repairs - Associated Work TWEED HEADS / GOLD COAST TO SUNSHINE COAST / NOOSA Mb:0437 542 968 E: shuteman@ymail.com
office@emerlite.com.au www.emerlite.com.au
ENERGY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS & SERVICES
A professional service for resort cleaning
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service
The sign of an Industry Specialist. Whatever, Wherever, Whenever! www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
PREFERRED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
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Bill Presentment Payments & Receipting Debt Collection
QUALITY, COST EFFECTIVE UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE & BILLING ADMINISTRATION Energy Tendering Tariff Review Meter Reading
Meter Provider Bulk Conversion Asset Management
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Buy direct from our friendly family business and save...
Management Rights Specialists Gold Coast Paul Geary
0401 992 632
Residential & Commercial Floor Coverings
Brisbane Lina Jin Blake McLucas
0422 646 388 0434 367 812
Sunshine Coast / Noosa Mark Hancock
* Carpets, Carpet Tiles and Vinyl ecialists * In stock lines, short ends, room sizes Sp since 1987 * Rental Properties (Budget Lines) * Engineered Timber, Bamboo and Laminate
0411 023 531
Sunshine Coast / Lake Kawana Bruce Baird 0411 772 182 Suzanne Copelin 0428 385 923 Townsville Brett Sievers
0422 009 731
Cairns / Northern Beaches Patrick Brown 0401 141 276 Port Douglas Patrick Brown
0401 141 276
Est. 1987
Unit 1/41 Olympic Circuit, Southport, QLD, 4215
fresh finance... Mike Phipps
P: 07 5571 1177 F: 07 5503 0057 Leon Bell: 0466 912 786
www.southportcarpetsqld.com
0448 813 090
W I D E
FLOOR COVERINGS
A U S T R A L I A
ACL (364 314)
FINANCE
Commercial Specialist Direct Importers Sales, Service & Repairs ¾LARGEST RANGE¾FURNITURE ¾UMBRELLAS¾SUN LOUNGES Cnr Main Drive & Nicklin Way, Warana, Qld 4575 | Ph 07 5493 4277 Acres Centre, 1/37 Gibson Rd Noosaville 4566 | Ph 07 5449 9336
www.daydreamleisure.com.au sales@daydreamleisure.com.au
GLASS INSTALLATION/REPAIRS
FURNITURE
mike@mikephippsfinance.com.au
Paul Grant 0448 417 754 paul@mikephippsfinance.com.au Cameron Wicking
0477 776 859
cameron@mikephippsfinance.com.au 4/31 Mary Street, Noosaville, Qld - 07 5470 2194
www.mikephippsfinance.com.au Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. Australian Credit Licence Number 234527. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ. Item No. 75143 06.2013 W349544
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dennis@hotelinteriors.com.au www.hotelinteriors.com.au
Professional & friendly service Over 30 years finance experience Accommodation funding specialists
GYMNASIUM EQUIPMENT
TAILORED FURNITURE SOLUTIONS
Nick Smith - 0450 179 677 www.redtenfinance.com.au nick@redtenfinance.com.au
Management Rights Finance Specialists
info@perps.com.au 1300 884 914 www.perps.com.au
Brisbane: 07 3252 2219 • Gold Coast: 07 5576 7059 enquiries@pcsfinance.com.au
www.pcsfinance.com.au
- NORTH QUEENSLAND -
PPS3955_A
FURNITURE - OUTDOOR
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Suppliers of Quality Commercial Outdoor Furniture & Accessories
Reward your best suppliers by nominating them for the Preferred Supplier Programme. Simply send their details with a short testimonial to: psp@resortpublishing.com.au or call (07) 5440 5322
They’ll thank you for it! 56
1300 876 055
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Specialising in furniture for hotels, motels, serviced apartments, resorts and refurbishments
• New Chairs • Tables • Sun Lounges • Umbrellas • Cushions & Accessories • Prompt Service Guaranteed REPAIRS - RESLINGS AND SUPPLY OF REPLACEMENT SLINGS TO P.V.C AND ALUMINIUM OUTDOOR FURNITURE
0418 765 257
www.casualfurniture.com.au
coastalcasualoutdoors@gmail.com VISIT OUR SHOWROOM AT: Unit 4, No. 2 Cnr Captain Cook Drive and Kendor St, Arundel, QLD
PREFERRED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
The sign of an Industry Specialist. Whatever, Wherever, Whenever! www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
Whatever, Wherever, Whenever! www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
ResortNews | May, 2019
The sign of an Industry Specialist. INSURANCE
Reward your best suppliers by nominating them for the Preferred Supplier Programme.
AUSTRALIA’S LEADER IN MANAGEMENT RIGHTS, MOTEL, HOTEL & CARAVAN PARK SALES
Simply send their details with a short testimonial to: psp@resortpublishing.com.au or call (07) 5440 5322
Nationwide
1300 665 966
resortbrokers.com.au
They’ll thank you for it! Management Rights Insurance Specialists stry e indu Leading insurance broker to th
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS AGENTS
YOUR PARTNERS IN SUCCESS
Property Bridge ▪ MANAGEMENT RIGHTS ▪ RESORTS
Discreet Silent Listings Free Market Appraisals
Professional Indemnity Public Liability Loss of fee income Home & Office contents Landlords ...and more
Calvin Bailey LREA
0414 889 593 calvin@cbmr.com.au
0414 835 128 alex@cbmr.com.au
CALVINBAILEYMANAGEMENTRIGHTS.COM.AU
Bobo Qi 0438 027 771
www.managementrightscover.com.au
Alex Barker-Re LREA
Call 1800 688 820
AFSLN 246986 ABN 31 009 179 640
RUGECU009-190402
Discount for ARAMA members
LIFTS - MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS
Specialists in management rights Off the plan sales qld & victoria Buying or selling best advice Rod Askew 0411 758 236 (QLD & VIC) Eric Brizuela 0413 060 683 (QLD) Philip Robison 0410 663 111 (VIC) Nationwide: 07 3554 0040 Email: sales@rcabb.com.au
Rhonda Perkins 0418 767 115
info@propertybridge.com.au www.propertybridge.com.au 2017 Winner of the Gold Coast’s Best Emerging Business
Servicing: Australia Wide & Offshore
1300 851 554 info@orbitzelevators.com.au www.orbitzelevators.com.au
LINEN &/OR LINEN GOODS
Looking for cover? • Residential & Commerical Strata • Resort and Accommodation • Professional Indemnity • Resident Unit Managers • Property Insurance
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In All Areas . . .
Whether buying or selling we have you covered
The Management Rights Specialists
U Gold Coast U Brisbane U Sunshine Coast U Townsville U Cairns . . . & Beyond SUNSHINE COAST
Australia’s Leading Hotel Bedding Suppliers
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS RN006
For an informal chat on your insurances, contact the team: 07 3387 1900 beenleigh@ajg.com.au
www.rcabusinessbrokers.com.au
Matt Campbell Barry Davies Lindsay Petty
0410 343 219 0438 554 995 0407 029 138
contact@managementrights.com
Phone 07 55 930 007 www.raas.com.au
www.managementrights.com
AUSTRALIA’S LEADING MANAGEMENT RIGHTS BROKER
MOTELS, CARAVAN PARKS, HOTELS & MHE’S NATIONAL COVERAGE
07 5437 8544 info@mainlinen.com MAIL BOXES …When you need us most!
Thinking of Buying or Selling?
MGA was founded in 1975 and has since opened up 38 offices around Australia, offering Insurance products for:
For the right advice contact the experienced management rights brokers today
Phone: 1300 928 556 Email: sales@mrsales.com.au
Business Strata Landlord Protection With quick quote turnaround and hassle-free claims service Call us today on (07) 3720 6000 or email: quotes.brisbane@mga.com
May, 2019 | ResortNews
Specialising in management rights sales Australia wide
Quality Aust Products to meet All Building & Government Standards
Head Office: Suite 1 Ground Floor Equinox Sun Resort, 3458 Main Beach Parade, Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
P: (07) 5596 1440 E: info@sunni.com.au
www.mrsales.com.au
DELIVERIES QLD WIDE – INSTALLATION & SERVICE IN SE QLD
PREFERRED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
sales@tourismbrokers.com.au 1300 512 566 www.tourismbrokers.com.au
Specialising in Motel & Resort Sales Qld wide Andrew Morgan m 0417 608 041 p 07 4953 1611 | w qthb.com.au
57
Find them online Wherever, Whenever!
Think – Buying or Selling Management Rights Narelle Filmer 0459 229 744
Wayne & Linda Stoll 0452 181 505
www.thinkmanagementrights.com.au
Supporting and servicing the needs of both buyers and sellers of management rights throughout Tropical North Queensland PO Box 1037 Gordonvale 4865 • P 07 4056 6366
info@resortsales.com • www.resortsales.com
www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
Specialising in: Hi-Rise Repaints Large Complexes Interior and Exterior Hi-Pressure Cleaning Concrete Spalling Repair (Concrete Cancer) Waterproofing & Roof Membranes LOCALLY-OWNED FOR OVER 25 YEARS
Ph 5520 1256
SPECIALIST AGENTS COMMITTED TO MAKING EVERY DEAL A SUCCESS
www.anppainting.com.au QBCC Lic No 1050861 NSW Lic No 179886C
1800 111 622
SHEET METAL
• Purchase or Sale
Stainless Steel Handrails Restaurant Fit-Outs Exhaust Duct Work Ph 07 5593 4183 Fx 07 5593 4194 | M 0413 432 294 adrian@sheetmetalimprovements.com.au
WWW.STRATACORP.COM
Experienced Management Rights Lawyers
Fixed Price Available
(07) 5343 1000 Ask for Natalie
managementrights@ascendia.com.au
www.ascendialawyers.com.au
COOLANGATTA TO BEENLEIGH
PAINTERS & DECORATORS
SIGNS
The sign of an Industry Specialist. SOLICITORS
www.amalgamatedgroup.com.au info@amalgamatedgroup.com.au
• Painting • Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping • Signage & Branding • Electrical Services • Audio Visual • Data Communications • Sustainability
ASBESTOS REMOVAL QUEENSLAND WIDE
FREE CALL
1800 766 366
FREE QUOTES &ADVICE
PEST CONTROL Servicing Brisbane & Gold Coast
PEST
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CALL TODAY TO GET YOUR PEST PROBLEMS SOLVED
Call 1800 620 911 or 07 3718 1600
Residential &Commercial
Call Now 07 3206 6721 www.terminett.com
MANAGEMENT
RIGHTS AND MOTEL
EXPERTS EXPERIENCE COUNTS We have the largest team of specialists across Queensland and New South Wales, covering management rights and motels businesses.
GET THE RIGHT ADVICE Don’t put your accommodation industry investment at risk. Our industry knowledge is second to none.
CONTACT US Receive the best information. Subscribe today to receive continual practical, useful and relevant content.
programmed.com.au
Find them online Wherever, Whenever! www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
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Visit hyneslegal.com.au/subscribe or call +61 7 3193 0500 info@hyneslegal.com.au www.hyneslegal.com.au PREFERRED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
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TV & VIDEO HIRE/REPAIRS
The sign of an Industry Specialist. We deliver
strategic solutions
Whatever, Wherever, Whenever!
New name... Bigger range...
www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
in management rights Buying or selling Renewing or reviewing
Negotiation and dispute resolution
Michael Kleinschmidt Legal Practitioner Director
www.stratumlegal.com.au info@stratumlegal.com.au
PH: 07 5406 1280
CERVETTO COURTICE
20
L AW Y E R S
Appliance Rentals
with the same great
service
Q U E E N S L A N D
Management Rights Sales & Purchases Phone: (07) 3202 2266 Fax: (07) 3812 1128 Email: cervetto@gil.com.au
Leading Sunshine Coast Law Firm
• equipment • repairs • regular servicing • maintenance • chemical supplies • swimming aids & toys
153 Cooyar Street, Noosa Junction (07) 5447 3896 shop@noosapoolandspa.com
Personal Service. Trusted Advice.
Gold Coast: (07) 5592 0266 w w w. L M g o l d s t a r. c o m . a u
VALUERS - REAL ESTATE Need advice regarding: • Buying / Selling • Legal due diligence reports • Variations including top up of term • Renewals/Extensions • Management & Letting Agreements • Body Corporate Issues • Off Plan Developments Get it right the first time…call
Griffiths Parry Lawyers T: 5390 1400 www.gplaw.com.au
MANAGEMENT RIGHTS VALUATION SPECIALISTS
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT Flood Legal offers all the experience & expertise of a big firm while delivering accessible, personal & affordable service that comes with dealing with a small firm Call Sharon Flood, Director - 0459 070 871 or 02 6674 5118 sharon.flood@floodlegal.com.au - www.floodlegal.com.au
SWIMMING POOL SUPPLIES/REPAIRS
Classes from Coolangatta to Cairns
Australian Valuers have proven to be the No.1 choice for this highly specialised work. Our valuation team operate on a national level providing advice to the majority of Australia’s Banks
australianvaluers.com.au TRAINED BY THE EXPERTS
mlr@australianvaluers.com.au 1800 664 094
RELAX… AND LET US TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR POOL NEEDS.
◆ DEDICATED ACCOUNT MANAGER for Orders, Installs, Service and Sales ◆ COMPLIMENTARY equipment assessment – why not get a 2nd opinion ◆ YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED
1800 080 349 www.propertytraining.edu.au
◆ PRICE IS IMPORTANT, but so is SERVICE AND SUPPORT 9/99 LOWER WEST BURLEIGH ROAD, BURLEIGH HEADS, QUEENSLAND 4220
PHONE: 07 5535 6161
EMAIL: POOLGEAR@BIGPOND.COM
WWW.POOLGEARAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
The Management Rights Lawyers
Heat Pumps
Reward your best suppliers by nominating them for the Preferred Supplier Programme.
Proudly installed and serviced
Servicing Resident Managers throughout Australia BRISBANE: 07 3007 3777 GOLD COAST: 07 5562 2959 info@mahoneys.com.au
www.mahoneys.com.au
SPECIALIST EXPERIENCE IN MANAGEMENT RIGHTS Short Punch & Greatorix Cnr Bundall Rd & Crombie Ave Surfers Paradise PO Box 5164, GCMC, Bundall QLD 9726 Fax: 5539 8745 Email: mnp@spglawers.com.au
Call Martin Punch on 5570 9304 May, 2019 | ResortNews
Noosa 5449 7855 | Maroochydore 5443 2111 Caloundra 5438 1588
Find them online Wherever, Whenever! www.accomnews.com.au/business-directory
Simply send their details with a short testimonial to: psp@resortpublishing.com.au or call (07) 5440 5322
They’ll thank you for it!
PREFERRED SUPPLIER DIRECTORY
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ResortNews | May, 2019