How Brisbane body corporates can help ensure a safe G20 summit
GUEST OBSERVATION
While the G20 is a most exciting opportunity for Brisbane and Queensland to be showcased to the world, as the summit approaches many bodies corporate and the strata and community title sector in the Brisbane CBD are feeling the nervous vibes.
From experience, we have learnt that major political gatherings traditionally attract protesters and are assessed as high risk by police. The G20 is no different.
Though we know that Australian police are taking the G20 summit very seriously, there is a real chance of incidents that may impact on inner city residents and the strata community.
In the first instance, bodies corporate should of course, if they haven't done so already, implement safety features. There are plenty of properties that have security measures in place to keep strangers from entering buildings. Many schemes have introduced coded swipe cards or keys that enable residents to access their floors but at the same time, keep strangers out of the building.
A similar measure can be introduced to protect a building from a potential G20 terrorism incident. In fact, buildings with common areas such as rooftop terraces, BBQ, pool areas etc that overlook restricted areas are strongly advised to lock down these areas now, as prohibited items could be planted now without resident and managers knowledge and then activated during G20.
There is some help for affected bodies corporate in the city that police will offer. Between the 14 – 17 of November police will have the authority to ask any person within the declared area to remove head dress, empty pockets and search bags for prohibited items. Prohibited items include balloons and eggs and good reason for having these items on you must be shown.
Vehicle permits for those residents close to restricted areas may be introduced. Residents may not be able to move furniture in and out of buildings near restricted areas for one week prior to and during G20.
If the worst case was to occur, sufficient insurance coverage is an issue. Bodies corporate within the G20's restricted and declared zones should have a close look at the detail of their current insurance provisions.
As a showcase event for Brisbane and Australia and especially in the current climate of military action around the world, unfortunately we have to consider the risk that the G20 summit might attract protesters or an act of terrorism. While extremely unlikely, a terrorist attack is possible and can cause an extraordinary amount of damage.
For bodies corporate insured under a strata insurance policy issued by one of the major strata insurers, there is generally no exclusion for damage or loss arising from malicious damage such as may occur in the event of a protest getting out of hand. However, due to the scale of the potential losses involved in a terrorist attack, various strata insurers of residential properties have introduced specific terrorism exclusions into their policies.
Our insurance partners have advised that since around 2007, limited cover has been available for residential strata schemes and insurers generally have modified their exclusions to offer limited forms of protection. Typically, the limited cover available from the major strata insurers will apply where the building sum insured is equal to or less than $50,000,000.
No matter what action a body corporate decides to take in regards to terrorism or other property damage precautions, it is vital that they are aware of what their insurance does and does not cover.
At the end of the day, the best thing that bodies corporate can do to ensure a safe G20 is to use common sense. I’m looking to strata residents to stay alert but not alarmed, put safety measures into place where you can and be sure to report any suspicious activity.
Simon Barnard is president of the Queensland branch of Strata Community Australia.
Strata Community Australia represents tens of thousands of apartment dwellers in the Brisbane CBD who are likely to be affected by the G20.
