Grace Lawyers

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/XU5ejmKLJ7gNtB4g/?mibextid=WC7FNe

We are just over one week away from the SCA Australia & New Zealand Conference in Sydney.

The Grace team will be at booth 24.

We are also looking forward to seeing our Colin Grace present on effective conflict management on Day 2 of the Conference.

QLD INDUSTRY UPDATE: BODY CORPORATE SEALS

Read about an important update from Titles Queensland in our latest article: https://mailchi.mp/e6cb4aed15b0/industry-update-body-corporate-seals-an-update-from-titles-queensland

We are hitting the road with Solutions in Engineering and Lannock Strata Finance to discuss Building Maintenance for Bodies Corporate in Far North Queensland. If you are in Townsville or Cairns, register for our seminars now!

Cairns | 22 July https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cairns-body-corporate-seminar-tickets-922631103467?aff=erelpanelorg

Townsville | 23 July https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/townsville-body-corporate-seminar-tickets-920629897807?aff=oddtdtcreator

Some snaps from the Hum Energy Charity Race Day!

Thank you to Strata Community Association (Qld) and Hum Energy for a fantastic day raising much needed funds for QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

As the dust settles on the amendments to the BCCM legislation that commenced 7 weeks ago, so does the Smart Strata community education seminar series presented by Archers, which concluded in Brisbane a few weeks ago. The roadshow also saw events in Cairns, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast on 15 May 2024, where our own Jarad Maher was delighted to be part of the panel with Rob Lalor (Hynes Legal) and Adam Ford (Archers). Special thanks to Nicky Lonergan, Grant Mifsud, Carly Frawley, and the rest of the Archers team, for putting on such a great series!

Brendan Pitman, Partner in our Gold Coast office, argued on the negative side of the annual Great Debate at the SCAQ Conference alongside George Salloum and Dakota Panetta.

The question for debate was – Redistributing Power: Should Bodies Corporate Owners Influence Levy Decisions on Property Maintenance?

Brendan’s contributions included:

- a comparison with provisions in the NSW strata legislation;
- an analysis of human behaviour during Covid when people could seek early access to superannuation;
- analogies with fee structures of other businesses and the appropriate way to influence those fees;
- plenty of healthy banter!

It sure was a great debate!

READY, SET, START: COMMENCEMENT OF THE BCCM ACT AMENDMENTS

1 May 2024 is the commencement date for the changes to the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997. Here's what you need to know:

Ready, set, start: Commencement of the BCCM Act Amendments 1 May 2024 is the start date for the changes to the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act). We wrote about the passing of the Body Corporate and Community Management and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (Amending Act) back in November 2023 here. Parliament passed the Amendin...

Brendan Pitman, Partner in our Gold Coast office was a co-presenter at the Workshop on Harmonizing Communities: Advanced Techniques in Strata Dispute Resolution at the SCAQ Conference last week.

This Workshop took a deep dive into the dispute resolution techniques to navigate conflicts and promote cohesion in strata communities.

Brendan addressed topical cases and observed that:

• discrimination laws apply to schemes and committees need to be aware of their obligations;
• bodies must act reasonably when enforcing by-laws, particularly where a breach of a by-law is partly caused by common property falling into disrepair.

If you would like to know more information or wish to arrange a training presentation for your team with Brendan or our other Queensland Partners, please contact our office.

2024 SCA Queensland Conference Wrap Up

Thank you Strata Community Association Qld for a fantastic 2024 Conference. Team Grace thoroughly enjoyed the learning opportunities and networking with the wonderful people in our industry.

Until next year!

DEFAMATION IN STRATA: ARE YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS VACCINATED?

Read our latest article here:

Are Your Committee Members Vaccinated? Defamation in Strata Parliament introduced a vaccine into the Body Corporate and Community Management Act (Qld) 1997 to protect committee members from civil liability including defamation. But, these protections are limited, and committee members must act cautiously to avoid exposure to potentially expensive legal actio...

The 2024 Grace Lawyers International Women's Day Morning Tea

What a morning! Thank you to those who came together to celebrate with the Grace team at our International Women's Day Morning Tea last Friday.

We are very proud that we could provide an opportunity to celebrate women in our industry here in Queensland and a platform for important conversations around the inclusion of women in our sector and beyond.

Thank you to our wonderful panellists, Kristi Kinast, Angela Fleming and Tash Powell for sharing their personal insights and journeys to becoming the inspirational women they are today.

SCAQ CONFERENCE DAY 1

We are here at the SCAQ 2024 Conference!!

Visit the Grace team at booth 29 and go in the draw to win a $200 gift card.

Senior Strata Leaders - Registrations for the Principals Night Off Are Now Open 🎉

Now in its seventh year, the Principals Night Off is a unique opportunity to expand your network, elevate your leadership and relax amidst the serenity of the Blue Mountains.

Details:

📅 4-5 April
📍Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains
🔗 Elevate your leadership - https://ow.ly/LJAG50QGwnX

Please note: this event is open to Principals & Licensee-in-charge from Strata Management Companies only.

We cannot forget to acknowledge our Major Sponsors, without whom the PNO would not be possible.

We are now less than two weeks away from the Strata Community Association Senior Leaders Forum.

There are limited tickets AVAILABLE so make sure you get in quick!

For more information visit:

2024 Senior Leaders Forum | SCA Ltd This forum is your gateway to staying ahead in the dynamic landscape of strata management, offering insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of layered and staged schemes, greenfields, and master plans.

Join us at the 2024 Senior Leaders Forum for a session on "Facility Management and Shared Services Perspective" with Lee Stroud and Andrew Terrell. Explore strategies for operational efficiency in large-scale buildings through integrated and Shared Services. Sponsored by Grace Lawyers, we will discuss the establishment of complex schemes and the essential consultancy between strata and FM for seamless operations. Connect with peers and delve into the future of from 12-13 February 2024 at the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto! City of Melbourne - BOOK NOW https://ow.ly/39KR50QtJuK

Just popped into the Grace Lawyers Melbourne office at 40 City Road at HWT Tower.

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey into the world of strata at the SCAQ 2024 Conference! Check out the program summary for this year’s SCAQ Conference - "A Whole New World” here: https://ow.ly/z6BE50QtOfH

Register now and be part of Queensland's only Strata Conference, joining industry luminaries and strata thought leaders shaping the world of professional strata management! Register here: https://ow.ly/s0Wq50QtOfI

🌊⛵ Oh, Jack! ⛵🌊

Registrations are now open for the SCA NSW Sailing Day!

Leave the office behind and take to the sea for an unforgettable day on the harbour, followed by networking drinks back on land!

📅 Date: 23rd February

🌐 Event Details:

Experience the thrill of sailing with the SCA NSW Sailing Day! Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a first-timer, this event promises an unforgettable journey filled with fun, laughter, networking and the stunning Sydney harbour.

🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/EkeB50Qrz7U

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to elevate your networking game and experience the joy of sailing. See you on the water! ⛵🌊

Our offices will be closed from 21st December 2023 at 5pm and will reopen on 15th January 2024 at 8:30am.

The Grace Lawyers team wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

See you in 2024!

Our Queensland team took some time out last Friday for a 'clay and sip' class and team dinner to reflect on the fantastic year we have had as a team!

While we certainly had fun at the clay and sip class, we will not be giving up our day jobs anytime soon... 🎨

Last week Colin Grace and Peter Ton attended the 2023 SCA Australasia International Study Tour in Dubai, UAE.

The tour included attending the IRECMS international conference and awards night involving delegates from Australia, USA, Japan, UK, UAE, Germany, and France (over 400 delegates). The conference was also held in conjunction with the G10 Summit (on real estate issues and community living worldwide) and the Realty Forum UAE.

It certainly was a jam packed few days. The trip involved attending masterclasses run by the IRECMS on strata issues, a visit to the Burj Khalifa and the observation tower, a visit to the hosts Nakheel Community Management head office, a site visit to the Palm Jumeriah managed by Nakheel and the Palm Tower for views over the Palm itself, a visit to Atlantis residences, the Palm, the formal conference and finally the awards dinner.

Colin said: “It was amazing to meet people from all over the world who experience the same things, the same challenges. It was great to get different ideas from others and share business experiences.”

Peter said: “This was my first foray into an international conference and I am sure it won’t be my last. It was very informative and interesting to get other people’s perspectives across a large number of industries on the topics and issues we have in Australia.”

INDUSTRY UPDATE

No Finger Pointing Allowed! NSW Court of Appeal finds that proportionate liability DOES NOT apply to claims under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020.

This decision will have wide ramifications for building and construction in NSW and is a massive win for consumer rights in NSW.

Our Daniel Radman and Sean Turner acted for the successful owners corporation in this appeal and in the court below.

Read our article here: https://mailchi.mp/ce1f6c759d88/industry-update-no-finger-pointing-allowed-nsw-court-of-appeal-finds-that-proportionate-liability-does-not-apply-to-claims-under-the-design-and-bui?e=4933384084

The IREIMS Comference ball and the end with Marilyn Grace

CHRISTMAS CLOSURE 👇👇