2017 E-News Edition 2
Platinum Sponsors
Experience the Perrott difference www.perrottpainting.com.au
Contents
Page
President’s Report
4
Article – Winter is coming, CHU
6
In The News
8
Article – A Strata Company’s Obligation to Insure, SCI
9
Upcoming Events
10
Event Wrap Up
11
Article – Machinery Breakdown, BCB
12
Article – Log it or Lose it, Poolwerx
14
Article – Specialised Services that your Professional Painters should Offer, Higgins Coatings
15
Education
16
Article – Stop the Lop, External Works
18
Accreditation Pathway
20
Membership Benefits
22
2017 Sponsors
23
Presiden nt’s Re eportt We ha ave certainlyy covered a lot of ground d already thiss year, with tthe State electio on in March and several key areas re equiring our prompt attention. Our fo ocus over thhe last 3 months has been on critiquuing the Dra aft Strata Amen ndment Bill,, the prepaaration of an SCA (W WA) Position n Paper, develo opment of a new Sponso orship Packag ge and Advoocacy. Reforms of the Sttrata Titles A Act airs and Pubblic Policy Co ommittee Over tthe last threee months our Legal Affa has been b meetinng every tw wo to three weeks to pprovide feed dback to Landgate on the pro oposed amendments to the Act. The ese releases are coming in monthly tranches and we are providing detailed co omment for consideratio on. I have also been in regular communicati on with Sean McFarlan ne and Elainne Whitehe ead from Landgate to discuss our submitte ed commentts and provid de further feedback. In consu ultation with h both the Property Coouncil of Au ustralia and REIWA, SCA A (WA) is making m a conservaative push to include in the amendeed Act the requirement r for the regiistration of all strata managers together w with a minim mum educatioon requirem ment. mation from Landgate th hat these These efforts are bearing fruit and we havve just received confirm ments will likkely be includ ded. amendm Position n Paper SCA (WA A) would likee to thank all a of our fel low SCA Cou uncils and Chapters for their contrib bution in helping us prepare aa Positon Paper for WA. We engage ed Market Place Commuunications to o develop the drafft and have n now finalised d this docum ent which haas identified five key issuues, includingg:
Regulation o of Strata Man nagers throuugh registration and miniimum educaation requirements Compulsoryy Maintenan nce and Resserve Fundss accompanied by a ccompulsory five‐year maintenance schedule to be approveed annually by the strata a company n of Commun nity Title Schhemes which is long overdue in WA Introduction of 3‐5% to prrotect purchaasers in newly developedd schemes Defect Retention Fund o Management Provisions, iincluding gre eater accountability for aall parties, sim mplifying Improved M managemen nt processess allowing ellectronic notices, voting g and recordd keeping, making m it easier to en nforce by‐law ws and resol ve disputes and making g it easier too install susta ainability infrastructure. Advocaccy With thee release off our Position Paper, whhich was sen nt to several key Ministeers in the ne ew Labor Governm ment, we have secured a a meeting neext week with The Hono ourable Rita Saffioti, Min nister for Transpo ort; Planningg; Lands. Ou ur key focuss in this me eeting will be to ensuree the imporrtance of approvin ng the Amendments to the Act thiis year is well understo ood. We wiill also be seeking a commitm ment following this apprroval, to form m a workingg group to prrovide directtion on the LLicensing of the in ndustry and tthe impleme entation of a Defect Rete ention Fund.
President’s Report Further, I recently had an extremely positive meeting with John Carey, Labor member for Perth. All indications we’re currently seeing are showing that the Labor government counts strata title reform as a key priority for this year and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure the reform process stays on track. In addition to these meetings, we are gaining significantly greater air time on radio and have held interviews in regards to the regulation of Strata Managers. We are also working on our first lift out Guide for the year which features in the West Australian Newspaper. Our aim is to deliver three to four lift outs in the West this year, each guide focusing on specific key areas. Sponsorship SCA (WA) is incredibly grateful to have Emma Watton as a councillor, who brings 20 years’ experience in marketing and communications to the table. Emma has work tirelessly with her Sponsorship and Marketing Committee to engage with our sponsors and seek their feedback. With this feedback, we have prepared a new Sponsorship Package focusing on effective communication and market strategies which will be released to our sponsors at a sundowner to be held at a rooftop bar in the City on the 4th of May. Principals Retreat Our annual Principals Retreat was held early April and received a fantastic turn out with a passionate and enthusiastic group of business principals in attendance. The event covered a range of important topics and some meaningful discussion took place. We were lucky to also have Sean McFarlane, senior lawyer at Landgate, attend to present the latest news on the status of the reforms. I thank the principals that attended the retreat and added great value to the discussion. It is extremely important for SCA (WA) to have these discussions with key people in the industry as their views help to shape our future direction. We hope you enjoy this edition of e‐News which includes a range of useful articles and educational content kindly provided by our sponsors as experts in their field. Scott Bellerby SCA (WA) President
Whilst recent heavy rains experienced in cities across Australia have brought relief to drought‐suffering gardens, they have also awakened the potential of many roofing problems. Hail, wind and debris can damage a roof, but rain alone cannot, therefore problems that arise from leaking roofs are quite often maintenance concerns. Regular checks and maintenance is common practice in today’s world from checking your fire alarms every 6 months, to your car service every 15,000km and even your annual trip to the dentist. Preventative checks and maintenance avoid unnecessary costs, time wastage, inconvenience and discomfort and the roof of a strata plan is no different. Timely maintenance and repairs to roofs can be planned for and completed before damage or injury occurs, or before the situation requires emergency repairs, which often are more drastic and costly for the Strata Company. Therefore, with winter fast approaching have you asked the question “when was the roof last checked?” The roof is one of the most important parts of any building. Strata Companies should consider organising an annual health check and maintenance review of their roof prior to the winter season. Most roof damage occurs in the winter months and damage can be increased due to a lack of maintenance. Without the knowledge of the condition of the roof a small problem could quickly turn into a large issue, water and wind have ability to do this. Protect your scheme this winter by arranging a simple Roof Health Check with a qualified tradesperson. Ensure they carry out these simple maintenance steps:
replace any damaged, missing or broken tiles on the roof check that the ridge capping is intact with no cracking ensure that all fasteners on the roof are sealed replace any deteriorating silicon check your chimneys are sealed appropriately look for loose screws or exposed nails, and have them replaced clear debris from the roof and valleys
Timely Roof Maintenance – Tradesman’s Tips Here are a few tips to consider for your roofs maintenance: METAL ROOFS: If older roof cladding is suffering from overlapping joins which collect water and rust, advanced slip sheets may be the answer. TILED ROOFS: Tile roofs suffer from foot damage, fungal growth and colour fading. Fungal growth can be treated by painting with copper sulphate, available from hardware and nursery retailers and mixed with water. FLAT ROOFS: The coating required on these roofs, has a lifespan of around 10 years. We suggest that if this type of roofing is a feature of your building, you make ample provision in both your sinking and maintenance funds for regular maintenance and/or replacement. This article was supplied by CHU Underwriting Agencies
HOW CAN WE HELP? • Interior and exterior painting • Correct surface preparation • Protective coatings & graffiti removal • Pressure washing & chemical cleaning • Specialists in difficult to access areas • Strict OHS safety standards • Transparent & simple budgeting • Cost amortisation • Affordable maintenance
Customised Painting Solutions to Increase Property Value A new coat of paint is the simplest and most cost-effective way to visibly refresh your property. It’s also very affordable – especially when you can achieve a complete repaint with no upfront costs. So, increasing your property’s worth is easier and faster than you think. Modernise your building’s appearance and keep it in good condition for years to come with Programmed Property Services’ broad range of painting and maintenance services. Let us make things simple for you. With over 60 years’ experience, we will provide you end-to-end solutions for painting and building repairs, and a single point of contact. Speak to Programmed for a customised solution and free no-obligation quote. 1800 620 911 or 08 6218 6300 Visit programmed.com.au
In The News Perth’s inner-city population ‘to double’ as population grows ARTICLE PROVIDED BY THE WEST AUSTRALIAN Figures showing Perth will need to squeeze in another 700,000 residents over the next 20 years have prompted calls for the inner-city population to double and for a fast train link to Bunbury. The West Australian can reveal that projections supplied to the Federal Government show Perth’s south-eastern suburbs will become the city’s driving force of growth, with almost 250,000 people likely to swell areas such as Byford, Southern River and Whitby. Compiled by respected modeller NATSEM, the forecasts suggest WA will add 953,000 people to reach 3.6 million residents by 2036... Read more
New units outweigh houses for first time on record ARTICLE PROVIDED BY PROPERTY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA Building activity data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week confirms more newlybuilt units were completed over the December 2016 quarter than houses – the first time on record. Over the December 2016 quarter, 28,102 new houses and 28,527 new units were completed. This marked the first quarter on record where the completion of new units outstripped new houses. New house completions rose by 0.7 per cent over the quarter while new unit completions surged 26.1 percent to a new record high… Read more
Strata Community Australia in the Media Maroochydore heads into the future, say goodbye to strata cowboys ARTICLE PROVIDED BY THE FIFTH ESTATE MARKET PULSE: The sounds and smells of garbage trucks doing their early morning rounds will be a distant memory in Maroochydore with the Sunshine Coast city to construct the first CBD-wide underground automated waste collection system (AWCS) in Australia. John Knags, chief executive of SunCentral, the company overseeing design and delivery of the new 53-hectare city centre, said the foundations of this new CBD would be unlike those of any other Australian city centre… Read more
Call for crackdown on short-term rental sits like Airbnb ARTICLE PROVIDED BY STUFF NZ New Zealand apartment owners want tougher rules for short-stay rental companies such as Airbnb following reports of theft, damage to property and overcrowding. Their plea comes as thousands of British and Irish Lions fans prepare to descend on the country for the June tour, with the scarcity of affordable hotel and motel rooms expected to prompt many to turn to short-term rentals. Strata Community Organisation NZ (SCANZ), which represents Kiwi apartment owners, said issues need to be addressed before the predicted short-term letting explosion during the Lions Tour causes a "monumental holiday headache"… Read more
A Strata Company’s Obligation to insure for full replacement value
Within Western Australia, Strata Companies (SC’s) are required to insure for full replacement value.
Unless an SC has an up‐to‐date valuation, extra care must be taken to ensure that any movement in building material and labour costs is taken into account throughout the policy period and at renewal.
In addition, costs for removal of debris and any incidental professional costs such as council fees, remuneration of architects, lawyers and other persons need to be included in the replacement value.
“Without indexation or an up‐to‐date valuation, an SC runs the risk of underinsuring,” notes Paul Keating, Managing Director Strata Community Insurance. “This means that at claim time, full replacement expenses may not be met, potentially leaving the SC out of pocket and liable for any shortfall.”
In addition, if the SC is underinsured they will not have met their statutory obligations under the Strata Titles Act 1985, which sets out the legal requirement to insure for full replacement value.
Strata Community Insurance Indexation solution To offset the exposure for SC’s and help ensure replacement costs are met, Strata Community Insurance applies indexation by reference to the Cordell Housing Index Price (CHIP) and Cordell Commercial Index Price (CCIP). The CHIP/CCIP tracks movement in building material and labour costs (currently sitting at around 3%).
Using this approach, certain sums insured under an SC’s insurance policy automatically increase throughout the year where insured property suffers loss or damage, and renewals are issued in line with the increase applied over the 12‐month policy period.
INDEXATION EXAMPLE
Building value = $2,000,000 (sum insured at policy inception) Increase after: 30 days $ 4,931.51 180 days $ 29,589.04 210 days $ 34,520.55 300 days $ 49,315.07 365 days $ 60,000.00 * Based on CHIP/CCIP applied at an average 3% annually
Building value including Indexation at the end of policy period = $2,060,000 Renewal terms will be issued at indexed value to ensure the SC meets their statutory obligations in renewing for full replacement value.
“Applying indexation together with an up‐to‐date valuation is the most reliable method of ensuring both that a strata manager is covered from potential liability, and their client’s strata insurance is sufficient to cover claims,” notes Keating. “Strata managers should discuss their SCs’ requirements with our experts, to ensure that they are covered for full replacement in the event of a total loss.”
Article provided by Strata Community Insurance
For more information on indexation, please contact your local Strata Community Insurance team.
This information is general in nature only and does not constitute financial product advice or legal advice. References to policy terms and conditions are by way of summary only. For full details of policy terms, conditions, benefits and exclusions please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Policy Wording, available from Strata Community Insurance.
Upcoming Events Moral Dilemma When dealing with multiple people who have differing interests and priorities, conflicts are bound to arrive. Hear from legal experts on the moral dilemma that can affect you as a Strata Manager and your role in appropriately dealing with them. When: Thursday, 11th May 2017 Where: Crown Perth, The Studio, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood For more information and to register, please click here.
Law Week Our legal expert, John Park from Park Legal Solutions, will explain the key concepts of the Strata Titles Act, and winner of Strata Manager of the Year 2016, Karen Richardson of Richardson Strata Management, will put it into practical perspective. When: Thursday, 18th May 2017 Where: The Perron Centre, 61 Kitchener Avenue, Victoria Park For more information and to register, please click here.
A100 This comprehensive course provides a detailed overview of the Australian Strata Community Industry. It is the perfect introduction for new strata managers and a great refresher for experienced members of the industry. When: Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th May 2017 Where: Level 10, Brookfield Place, 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth For more information and to register, please click here.
SCA National Convention: Early Bird ends 30th April Hear from a diverse range of thought-leadership speakers including keynotes Rod McGeoch and Michael Matusik, coupled with a robust exhibition and fantastic social program. When: Wednesday 14th – Friday 16th June 2017 Where: Crowne Plaza, Hunter Valley, NSW For more information, click on the banner below:
Event Wrap Up How to read a strata plan & what does it comprise? This event was extremely popular, attracting over 50 attendees including new and experienced strata managers. It was a great learning opportunity for those new to the industry and a good refresher for the more seasoned strata managers in the room. It was also great to see a number of suppliers and contractors at the event, building their technical knowledge to enable them to work with strata managers more effectively. As always, Peter engaged the audience with his educated and entertaining presentation, using real life examples to put the theory in to practice. For those who missed out on this important workshop, another will be held on 23rd August, 2017.
Thank you to our Event Partner:
Thank you to our Event Supporters:
Principals Retreat This social and interactive retreat gave principals the opportunity to escape after a busy start to the year, with a day of golf followed by an action packed day of learning. Principals were given updates on SCA National and SCA (WA) followed by presentations from guest speakers; Ben Aylett of EziWireless, Sarab Singh of Illuminate Group, and Emma Watton. The content of these presentations covered cyber security, conscious leadership and people management, and marketing and brand awareness. Sean McFarlane, senior lawyer at Landgate, also attended to update our principal members on the latest status of the proposed strata title reforms.
Thank you to our Event Partners:
Thank you to our Event Supporters:
April 2017
Machinery Breakdown Insurance What is Machinery Breakdown Insurance?
Fun Fact!
Machinery Breakdown Insurance provides cover for the Owners in the event that their Plant and/or Machinery suffers a sudden and unforeseen electrical and/or mechanical breakdown at the Insured property. Each policy has slightly different conditions, but some of the common exclusions include wear and tear, gradual deterioration, atmospheric conditions resulting in corrosion and lack of maintenance.
Both horsepower and kilowatts are measurements of power. Steam engineer James Watt coined the term horsepower back in the 1700s. It refers to his theory that one horse can do 33,000 foot-pounds of work in a minute, i.e. it can move 1,000 pounds of coal (or some other object) 33 feet in a minute.
The Plant and/or Machinery must be within the insured situation and must be in good working order prior to the damage occurring. Cover is not provided for damage which is insured under a property damage policy, such as lightning strike or water ingress. Machinery Breakdown insurance does not replace a maintenance agreement and will not provide cover for parts or machinery that wear out or are simply past their use by date. For some items of Plant and Machinery, a regular maintenance program is required in order for the cover to be granted.
What is Plant and Machinery? Machinery is otherwise known as “plant and equipment” and may include: a. Lift motors, elevator motors, escalator motors, car stackers and inclinators, usually provided they are subject to a current comprehensive maintenance agreement; b. All other electrical, electronic and mechanical machinery, boilers and pressure vessels and similar plant that forms part of the Insured Property; c. Water pumps, generators, compressors and air conditioners. If in doubt ask your local Insurance expert at BCB if a certain item is covered under your policy.
Does our Strata Plan need Machinery Breakdown Insurance? Residential or Commercial Strata Insurance provides cover for Property Damage which includes damage to machinery caused by an insurable event such as lightning strike or water damage. For this type of damage there is no limitation generally on the size of the equipment (that is by horsepower or kilowatts). However, there are often limitations on the size of the Plant and Machinery for fusion claims (being the burning out of an electric motor) under the Property Damage section of the policy. In some cases this cover is limited to only covering motors up to 2kW. If your Strata Plan has any Plant and Machinery that exceeds the policy fusion limit then you will require machinery breakdown insurance. For comparison purposes, a reasonable domestic air conditioning unit will have a motor of approximately 5kW and lift motors, water pumps etc. usually exceeding 5kW.
In theory, a 300-horsepower engine is able to perform the work of 300 horses in the same amount of time. Most countries use horsepower to measure the output of gasoline-powered engines. But some countries (like Australia) prefer to use kilowatts (kW) to measure the output of gasoline engines. James Watt is also the reason we have the measurements watt (W) and kilowatt (kW), most commonly used to measure electricity with one kilowatt being 1,000 watts.
What are the benefits of Machinery Breakdown Insurance? Plant and Machinery within a Strata Property are sometimes “hidden” and given little thought……. until they fail! Pumps and motors doing any number of jobs at your property are the answer to all of the above. For example, how does the water get to the top floor of a highrise building? Why is it that stormwater does not flood the basement? How is it so cool in here? How does water get to the fire sprinkler heads? Imagine having to carry your shopping up fifteen flights of stairs because the 10kW lift motor has gone and it will take 2 weeks to have the motor rewound (fixed). Would you be happy that the Strata Company had saved a few dollars on their insurance bill, only to be slugged with an increase in levies to pay for the lift repairs? Or would you prefer to pay a slightly higher premium and have the comfort of knowing that the right cover is in place to get your lift working again quickly without the need to pay increased levy contributions? You may not be able to see the plant and machinery, but you will feel the effects when they fail and given that repairs and replacement can be a very expensive exercise, Machinery Breakdown Insurance will provide your Strata Plan with peace of mind should such failures occur. Prevention is always the best strategy and your strata insurance specialist, Body Corporate Brokers, will assist your Strata Plan with advice on providing cover for your valuable plant and machinery assets. Robyn Webb National Claims Manager Body Corporate Brokers
The Experts in Strata Finance When you need money for rectification, refurbishment, emergency repairs, green initiatives, litigation costs or other capital requirements, StrataLoans is the simple funding solution.
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CONTACT www.strata-loans.com info@strata-loans.com 1300 785 045
LOG IT OR LOSE
There remains a degree of confusion over logging requirements for managed strata title pools, partly because logging is compulsory in some states and not in others. However what is certain across all Australia is that ‘duty of care’ is a legally binding responsibility – and that log books recording pool treatment, equipment maintenance and incidents are an essential element of any duty of care defence.
Any strata title manager who does not keep a pool maintenance log book is taking a significant risk, because in the event of an incident, log books are among the first things that investigating authorities will ask for. These records should be kept at the facility for at least two years. Whatever the individual State’s legislation, in most circumstances, courts will regard failure to keep log books as potent evidence of ‘lack of care’. It is unwise to think that this will not ‘happen to you’ or that you can expect people to be fair and reasonable given a set of circumstances. A minimum of two log books should be maintained. One will detail the pool equipment in use, its age, specifications that support its capacity to do the job required, maintenance and part replacements, backwashings, pool signage etc. The other should detail every water test, chemicals applied and ‘incidents’. An incident could be someone slipping and hurting themselves, a complaint regarding swimmer behaviour (eg bomb dives), glass containers found within the pool enclosure, an infection or sickness which might be attributed to the pool, any occurrence of bleeding in the pool – even a pool party where bather loads exceeded standard usage. Many strata title managers do not want to create and update their own pool management log books, but would rather have an authoritative third party come to the premises to test, inspect and review. Having the involvement of an expert third party takes a great deal of onus off the manager – however you should always ensure that:
The third party has its own powerful insurance, including professional indemnity insurance The operator providing assistance has state of the art photometric water testing equipment The operator providing assistance is up to date with regulations nationally and regionally The operator providing assistance has certified qualifications from a Registered Training Organisation
Poolwerx offers a complimentary condition report for all Strata Managers to ensure their managed properties pools are compliant with the varied requirements, according to legislation and guidelines. Poolwerx certified technicians are waiting to take your call. 1800 009 000 Information provided by Poolwerx Commercial Development Executive – Tiffany La Vita
Specialised Services That Your Professional Painters Should Offer As a strata manager, one of your primary roles is to find the best possible service providers for any propertyrelated projects. While this seems like a relatively simple task, the reality could potentially include hours of research to separate the wheat from the chaff. It’s pivotal to uncover the best possible option when it comes to contractors – such as professional painters – as the quality of their offerings can vary widely. While painting contractors that offer standard painting services are a great starting point, it’s advisable to opt for those that offer specialised services. So which services should you look for? You may think that the ideal painting service for you would be one that just covers the requirement that you are looking for right now. However, establishing a working relationship with exceptional professional painters who cover a wide spectrum of services is only going to lead to a strong (and reliable) partnership down the line. Here are five specialised services to look out for: Painting maintenance solutions Apart from general painting solutions, arguably the next most important service to look for in professional painters are painting maintenance solutions. Service providers that offer these solutions often do so to ensure maximum protection of structures, leading to greater longevity. This benefits you as it allows you to save money that would otherwise be spent on frequent repainting. In-depth colour consultations The effect that a change of paint colour can have on a property is hugely underrated. Look for painting professionals who not only offer the standard services but aim to offer those that go above and beyond. There are some painting professionals that offer in-depth colour consultations based not only on the structure of the property, but its use too. Consistent quality over different properties A sure sign of exceptional professional painters is the delivery of consistent quality work, as well as competitive pricing. This should apply across services conducted on the same property, as well as all the services rendered over multiple properties. The added bonus of building services Professional painters that have a team of licensed builders on hand to carry out other tasks prior to repainting, such as minor structural repairs, will ensure that the finished product not only looks great, but the coating is applied to a sound surface. The right access equipment for your properties Choosing professional painters with the right kind of access to your properties is essential – especially if your property requires the use of an EWP (Elevated Work Platform), scaffolding, operated equipment or in some cases even abseilers. This will ensure that the job gets done, on time and up to standard.
Finding a painting maintenance contractor who ticks all these boxes (and more) can be challenging. Higgins Coatings is a preferred painting contractor for the SCA that has all the specialised services you could hope for. To find out more, visit www.higgins.com.au or call 08 9441 1500.
Andrew Ploenges, Branch Manager – Perth
waadmin@higgins.com.au
Education SCA has made fantastic progress in developing new and improved education opportunities for people involved in the strata industry. The SCA A100 Course This comprehensive strata community management course provides a practical overview for new managers, an essential review for veteran managers and an advanced course for committee members. You’ll receive a 400-page participant guide filled with dozens of sample forms and time-saving tips for working with homeowners, vendors, managers and other professionals. Successful completion of this course is the first step in obtaining a professional designation from SCA in Strata Community Management as it is the Pre-requisite for entering the SCA Accreditation Pathway for new entrants. Next course: 22nd – 24th May 2017 Click here to enquire
Certificate IV in Strata Community Management The Certificate IV Strata Community Management is an industry accredited program for professionals working in strata management or professionals in the property sector looking to move into strata management. This nationally accredited program has been developed by Strata Community Australia and RMIT University. The Certificate IV in Strata Community Management qualification reflects the role of those involved in providing management services for strata communities. Students studying this qualifications will learn about strata schemes and communities; the functions and duties of a manager including the administration and facilitation of meetings, handling strata funds and reporting on financial activities, administering insurance, implementing contracts of appointment and the ability to read plans. SCA (WA) are currently working with North Metropolitan TAFE in Perth to have this training delivered locally, and have applied for the establishment of a traineeship. Click here to enquire
Ongoing Professional Development Our Professional Development committee is dedicated to preparing useful and relevant professional development sessions for our members each year. Find all of our upcoming events here
Council Member & Lot Owner Training SCA (WA) has introduced regular workshops for council members and lot owners, providing a comprehensive overview of the role of the council and training on how to read strata plans. SCA will also be working with a group of our strata company members to develop online training for council members. Find all of our upcoming events here
STOP THE LOP! Did you know TREE LOPPING is outdated and dangerous to property and tenants? Outdated pruning techniques such as lopping were once seen as a means in which to control the growth potential of trees. History has proven that these pruning techniques were unsuccessful and detrimental to the viability and integrity of trees. Lopping is the cutting of branches or stems between branch unions or at internodes on young trees. This is an unacceptable practice for the following reasons: It increases the rate of shoot production and elongation, It results in regrowth which is weakly attached and become prone to failure or collapse, It encourages stubs decay, It destroys the natural habitat of the tree, It is uneconomically viable as trees generally requires more frequent pruning once lopped.
Examples of Lopping (Incorrect)
Figure 2 Increased Shoot Production Will Cause Risks to Property Owners In A few Years
Figure 1 Lopped Trees Causing Future Risk to Property Owners
STOP THE LOP! An Australian Standard “Pruning of Amenity Trees” AS4373-2007 has been produced by Standards Australia. This production is aimed at Arborists, Tree Maintenance Contractors, Local Government Officers and other Government Departments to bring uniformity to the industry using up to date, sound arboriculture techniques. The standard promotes pruning rather than lopping and focusses on reducing the tree crown whilst retaining the structure of the tree. Under AS 4373-2007 the tree is pruned back to the main trunk or leader rather than “lopping off” large sections of branches.
Examples of Pruning (Correct)
Figure 3 A Correctly Pruned Tree Should Reduce to Crown Whilst Retaining the Structure of the Tree
Figure 2 A Correctly Pruned Tree Before and After
Responsibility It is worthwhile noting there is a Duty of Care on owners of trees to act where there is an apparent danger. In Schiller vs Council of Mulgrave, the plaintiff was injured when a dead tree suddenly fell on him. The Council was held liable as the danger was seen as apparent. In Timbs vs Council of Shoalhaven, Mr. Timbs was killed when a tree fell on his apartment whilst asleep. The Council was found not negligent as they had expert advice that the tree was safe and it was not reasonable for it to have fallen. If you are in doubt or concerned about the safety of a tree, it is important that you seek advice from a qualified Arborist who can provide you with professional guidance. For advice or quotes please contact: David Raad
P: 9204 3700
E: reception@externalworks.com.au
Reference: AS4373-2007 and Tony Wilson “Deadly Trees” Australian Property Law Bulletin (2004) 19(1)
Accreditation Pathway
The Strata Community Australia (SCA) Strata Community Manager Accreditation Program provides nationally recognised professional qualifications for strata managers. Consumers now demand it and strata managers, in order to remain up‐to‐date and competitive, need to have it. Each level of accreditation includes specific obligations for the member to undergo continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain their accreditation status. Successful applicants are issued with certificates with their accreditation level and official accreditation logos for use in electronic and hard copy stationery.
Why accreditation is necessary Consumers need to have a high level of trust with those who manage property on their behalf. The strata sector accounts for half a trillion dollars’ worth of assets, yet outside of New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory and the ACT (where licensing is compulsory), anyone can currently set up a strata management business with no formal qualifications or industry self‐regulation. For consumers: accreditation provides a way to identify strata managers who have submitted themselves to a code of ethics and undertake continuing professional development, so creating security, trust, professionalism and recognition. For the strata industry: accreditation enables strata community managers to gain professional recognition, and thereby a competitive advantage, which can enhance their business, and help build a long term career. Consequently, accreditation works to raise strata industry standards overall. Specifically it helps ensure strata managers:
are aware of relevant and current legislation follow the specific requirements of legislation adhere to best practice adopt current procedures commit to clerical excellence and continually enhance their managerial and meeting chairmanship skills.
How to become accredited
Strata community managers seeking accreditation must: be members of their respective SCA state or territory affiliate submit to a code of ethics undertake additional training or submit evidence of their competency. How it is administered The program has been developed by the SCA Professional Standards and Membership Committee which includes state and territory representatives. This group governs the overall accreditation program nationally while SCA's state and territory affiliates oversee the delivery of education programs and accreditation of individuals under the national framework. Accreditation levels and Requirements for Members of Strata Community Australia. There are four levels of accreditation. For all Levels, it is mandatory that the applicant is an ordinary member of SCA in their respective state or territory and adheres to the Code of Conduct/Ethics. Prerequisite to join SCA’s Accreditation Pathway For an ordinary member to join SCA’s Accreditation Pathway, successful completion of the SCA A100 Essentials of Strata Community Management is a prerequisite.
Accreditation Pathway
To be awarded accreditation, the following requirements are mandatory:
LEVEL 1 ‐ Accredited Strata Community Manager (ASCM)
Minimum of 2 years membership & adherence to SCA Code of conduct plus Completion of Cert. III in Strata Community Management or approved equivalent
plus
Minimum of 24 CPD points acquired through to ongoing professional development (minimum of 12 points per annum)
LEVEL 2 ‐ Certified Strata Community Manager (CSCM)
Minimum 2 years membership & adherence to SCA Code of Conduct plus Completion of Cert IV in Strata Community Management or approved equivalent plus
Minimum of 24 CPD points acquired through to ongoing professional development (minimum of 12 points per annum)
LEVEL 3 ‐ Practicing Strata Community Manager (PSCM)
Minimum 5 years membership & adherence to SCA Code of Conduct plus Completion of Diploma in Strata Community Management or approved equivalent plus
Minimum of 24 CPD points acquired through to ongoing professional development over a period of two years
LEVEL 4 ‐ Fellow Strata Community Manager (FSCM)
Existing Practicing Strata Community Manager (PSCM) plus
Minimum of 15 years membership plus extensive record of service to industry e.g. through board and/or committee participation and involvement and dedication in training and mentoring OR
Existing Practicing Strata Community Manager (PSCM) plus
Minimum of 12 years membership plus minimum of 10 years’ experience in managing Strata Communities plus Completion of Post Graduate qualification or Master Degree in an industry related discipline OR
Existing Life Members of SCA
Member Benefits
Membership is for anyone involved in the strata industry, whether you’re a Strata Manager, service provider, council member or lot owner. Access to latest strata industry news and information
Through member e‐bulletins, e‐news, & our national magazine, ‘Inside Strata’.
Accreditation & Training
As a member you are entitled to earn Professional Development points with SCA, Department of Commerce and the Legal Practice Board (where applicable) by attending SCA (WA) training. Four levels of Accreditation are available to members of SCA (WA). Members receive discounted rates when attending training events.
Best Practice Series
As part of our commitment to the industry we have developed the Practice Series, aimed at providing owners and residents of Strata Titled properties a greater understanding of the key essentials required to effectively navigate the maze that is Strata Title. The Best Practice Series are a set of three booklets: The Appointment of Strata Company Manager; Role of the Strata Company Manager; Strata Company Financial Reports and information;
Member advisory line
Obtain objective advice on day to day issues, operating fortnightly on Tuesday's between 10am and 11am on 9382 2395. The advisory service is provided solely for general information purposes, and should not be taken as constituting legal advice. You may consider seeking independent legal advice to see if the information provided by SCA (WA) relates to your circumstances. The advisory line is a member only service and offers general information to property owners in relation to matters affecting management or use of strata titled property. The aim of our advisory line is to enable better understanding of strata regulations, obligations, and owners’ rights.
Credibility
This is maintained through our Professional Standards Committee to ensure that actions by SCA (WA) members are in accordance with the Association’s Constitution and Code of Ethics.
Knowledge Sharing
Whether you are just starting out in strata management or have years of experience under your belt, we can all benefit from sharing our knowledge and experience with others in the industry. Why reinvent the wheel when a fellow member may have recently dealt with a similar issue to the one you are facing? Being a member of SCA (WA) can help you forge lifelong business associations and friendships that will stand you in good stead throughout your professional life.
Business listing
Make it easy for potential customers to find you! All members of SCA (WA) have their name and contact details listed on the SCA (WA) website.
Representation
With an important national voice on strata matters, SCA (WA) takes an active interest in ensuring State interests are represented when national policy is developed. We aim to advance the interest of our members by lobbying the WA State Government on issues that affect its members, particularly in relation to the Strata Titles Act, ensuring your voice is heard.
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wa.stratacommunity.org.au 9381 7084 215 Hay Street Subiaco East WA 6008
Contact Us!
Phone 08 9381 7084
For Events, Memberships & general queries, contact Sasha Costanzo Events & Administration Coordinator Email admin.wa@stratacommunity.org.au
For Accounts queries, contact Sue Gamble Accounts Officer Email accounts.wa@stratacommunity.org.au
For Sponsorship enquiries, contact Kara Grant General Manager Email gm.wa@stratacommunity.org.au