Strata & Community Living Winter 2023
2023 Winter Edition
Fair Work Commission raises minimum wages
Is your roof winter-proof?
Common defects
Minor renovation or not – that is the question
Strata’s new age of due diligence
Benefits of rope access painting
Fair Work Commission raises minimum wages
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently announced that minimum wages will increase by 8.65%, and award workers will receive a 5.75% pay boost. Alongside this minimum wage increase, the superannuation guarantee is set to increase from 10.5% to 11%. These changes will take effect from the 1st of July 2023, collectively reflecting a 6.25% increase for all minimum wage workers.
How does the increase affect contractors?
- Higher Labour Costs
- Contract Renegotiations
- Quality vs. Cost Trade-off
Is your roof winter-proof?
Winter can be challenging for roofs, especially in areas of heavy rainfall or high winds. Roofing issues caused by heavy rainfall or high winds can create safety issues for your home and increase home maintenance costs. An insulated roof enables heat to be stored inside your home for longer to keep the inside temperature warm and stable.
There are some items to include in your winter checklist for roofs to ensure your roof is in optimal condition.
Common defects
According to research* conducted in partnership with SCA NSW, 39% of strata buildings had experienced serious defects in the common property.
The most commonly occurring serious defect is related to waterproofing, affecting 23% of surveyed buildings, followed by fire safety (14%). With apartment ownership gaining popularity among first home buyers and property investors, it is important to be aware of potential building defects, whether you are purchasing an apartment in a new building or in an existing property.
Identifying and addressing these defects promptly is essential to prevent long-term damage and avoid costly repercussions.
Minor renovation or not – that is the question
A lot owner wanted to renovate their windows and doors by installing double glazing. They approached the Owners Corporation and were advised that the work was not minor works under the SSMA (Section 108) but required a by-law. Curiously the lot owner didn’t agree and said they didn’t want to pay for a by-law or a meeting as the work was minor works and the Committee should approve (which they didn’t). What did the NCAT have to say about all this?
Strata’s new age of due diligence
On 11 June, the Design and Building Practitioners Act (DBPA) marked a three-year anniversary. Few would argue that the legislation hasn’t reshaped compliance for construction work in the residential strata sector.
NSW Fair Trading has consistently urged strata communities to engage design and building practitioners who are registered under the Design and Building Practitioner Scheme, and who can competently meet the compliance requirements. This rigorous process involves the preparation, declaration and upload of documents to an online portal throughout the design and construction cycle.
Benefits of rope access painting
Rope access is often seen as a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to scaffolding for painting high-rise buildings and other difficult-to-reach surfaces. Rope access is also less intrusive than scaffolding, as it can often be set up quickly and with minimal disruption to the surroundings.
Additionally, rope access requires significantly less labour than scaffolding, making it a great choice for smaller painting projects. Rope Access has been shown to have many advantages over traditional high-rise painting methods.
