One of Brisbane's last major riverfront redevelopment opportunities has taken a significant step forward, with Lendlease selected as the Queensland Government's preferred development partner for the former Visy site in South Brisbane.

The seven-hectare industrial site, positioned between South Bank and West End and 1.3 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, will be transformed into a mixed-use precinct expected to deliver more than 4,000 new homes alongside extensive public open space and riverfront parkland.

The project is one of the largest urban renewal opportunities currently planned in Brisbane and is expected to play a key role in accommodating the city's growing population ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Plans for the precinct include a network of riverfront promenades and boardwalks, new public plazas, parkland, amphitheatre-style gathering spaces and shared pedestrian and cycling links designed to reconnect the long-isolated site with the Brisbane River.

The Queensland Government is targeting delivery of the first homes and key public spaces before the 2032 Games, allowing the precinct to begin contributing new housing and public amenity well before the broader masterplan is complete.

The redevelopment is also expected to support more than 3,000 jobs across planning, construction and ongoing operations.

For Lendlease, the appointment adds another major urban regeneration project to its Queensland portfolio. The developer has operated in the state for more than 70 years and has delivered a number of large-scale mixed-use precincts in partnership with government.

Lendlease Development CEO Claire Johnston said the project represented one of Brisbane's most significant redevelopment opportunities.

"The transformation of the former Visy site represents a rare opportunity to reimagine one of Brisbane's most significant riverfront locations, deliver thousands of much-needed homes, and create long-term legacy," Johnston said.

"In partnership with the Queensland Government, we have the opportunity to create a new riverside destination that will help shape Brisbane's growth and how people experience the city for decades to come.

"This is exactly the type of large-scale, city-shaping development that will provide lasting benefits for Queensland, bringing together housing, jobs and world-class public spaces."

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the riverfront transformation would deliver a thriving new community precinct.

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering this golden opportunity to unlock a riverfront jewel for all Queenslanders,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation moment to reshape a significant slice of Brisbane and deliver lasting benefits – thousands of new homes, and public spaces for all Queenslanders to enjoy well beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – unlike Labor’s plan which would have delivered zero benefits and zero new homes.

“Queensland is well and truly open for business and through partnership with the private sector, we are accelerating delivery while ensuring strong housing, community and economic outcomes."

Early works on the precinct are expected to commence in April 2027.

Joel Robinson

Lendlease selected to deliver transformative South Brisbane riverfront precinct

Eddy Haddad's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/level-33">Level 33</a> is levelling up its approved Wollongong development, as the coastal city south of Sydney continues to prove popular in the high-density development space.

Level 33, a longtime developer in the Wollongong area, has gone through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority to upsize its approved two-tower development on the corner of Crown Street and Gladstone Avenue, just 100 metres from Wollongong Station.

The developer currently has approval for 252 apartments across two buildings rising to 19 storeys. It is now seeking approval for 33 and 38-storey towers that would deliver 467 apartments, including 67 affordable homes.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bka-architecture">BKA Architecture</a>, the development would comprise apartments above a three-level podium with around 1,100 sqm of retail space, along with basement parking for 448 vehicles.

According to the Urban Design Report by BKA, the proposal has the capacity to "reinforce the precinct's identity by strengthening links between health, education, and transport services, while also contributing to Wollongong's ongoing evolution as a key regional centre."

Wollongong is somewhat in vogue. Between Level 33 and Urban Property Group, the two developers have several thousand apartments planned across the city.

Level 33 is currently delivering Easterly Wollongong, one of its most boutique projects to date with just 21 high-end apartments, as well as Atchison &amp; Kenny, a 329-apartment development due for completion later this year.

The developer plans to redevelop the 13,088 sqm WIN Grand megasite into <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crown-square-216-238-keira-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Crown Square</a>, a new $500 million precinct with nearly 600 apartments. It also has more than 900 apartments planned for the former Bunnings Warehouse site at the intersection of Gipps and Flinders streets.

Urban Property Group is also playing a major role in the city's transformation. Its five-tower Keira Place precinct will deliver more than 800 homes, and it has recently lodged plans for a further 300 apartments near Wollongong Station.

First look: Level 33 upsizes Wollongong apartment towers

Just a week after filing plans for the final stage of its major Keira Place masterplan, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has unveiled another significant housing proposal in Wollongong, this time targeting a prominent site opposite North Wollongong Station.

The developer has lodged a State Significant Development Application for a 38-storey mixed-use tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-4a-flinders-street-north-wollongong-nsw-2500">4-4A Flinders Street</a>, around one kilometre north of the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place precinct</a> currently taking shape on the edge of the CBD.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 38-storey North Wollongong tower as Keira Place expansion gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b6428f1-6405-4038-8476-897de440e90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/flinders%20podium.png?VersionId=QLqEvK0OuCEwRC47oHNftrw2B1YqaHF8" />

Designed by Studio.SC, the proposal comprises a 38-storey mixed-use development containing 303 apartments, including 45 affordable housing units, alongside 174 co-living residences. The scheme also includes ground-floor retail space, extensive landscaping and public domain improvements.

Studio.SC noted in the proposal it "outlines a vision for a landmark transit-oriented mixed-use development centred around North Wollongong Station, designed to support the city’s future growth while responding to the NSW Government’s housing and planning reforms."

The architecture firm said the proposal responds to the opportunities and constraints shaping future growth within the 400-metre catchment of the station and represents "a coordinated and future-focused approach to urban intensification, contributing to the long-term evolution of North Wollongong as a connected, walkable and high-density station precinct."

The site occupies a strategic corner bounded by Flinders Street, Station Street, Stafford Street and the Princes Highway, directly opposite North Wollongong Station.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 38-storey North Wollongong tower as Keira Place expansion gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7863adad-1f71-4022-b850-f44b252738fd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/flinders%20podium%20a.png?VersionId=WsU7av0g8_8R2tGHWxgHeFSlhu7yeY1V" />

The proposal follows Urban Property Group's recent submission for the second and final stage of Keira Place, which would deliver a further three buildings comprising 657 homes opposite Beaton Park. It builds on the first stage, which features 150 apartments across two towers and recently commenced construction.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said breaking ground on the first stage marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/urban-property-group-unveils-trio-of-towers-for-next-stage-of-new-wollongong-precinct-keira-place">Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place</a>

First look: Urban Property Group plans next major Wollongong tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/arada">Arada</a> has wasted little time expanding its ambitions in Campsie, lodging plans for a second major project in the rapidly transforming town centre just months after unveiling its three-tower One Campsie proposal on Beamish Street.

The UAE-backed developer has now taken aim at one of the suburb’s most strategically positioned sites, filing a State Significant Development Application for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/10-north-parade-campsie-nsw-2194">33-storey mixed-use tower</a> at 10 London Street and 43 North Parade, directly opposite the future Campsie Metro Station. The proposal is currently on public exhibition and represents another significant vote of confidence in Campsie's emergence as one of Sydney’s key transit-oriented growth centres.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the development would deliver 156 apartments above a podium containing retail and commercial space, creating a new residential and commercial gateway to the town centre. The scheme also includes a four-level above-ground parking podium and a dedicated residential amenity floor featuring wellness and recreation facilities. At least 10 per cent of the apartments would be allocated as affordable housing for a period of 10 years.

The proposal occupies a 1,631 sqm site bounded by London Street, North Parade and Dispensary Lane, immediately adjoining the future Metro station precinct and just metres from Beamish Street’s retail and dining strip. According to the Urban Design Report, the project seeks to deliver "a great place that prioritises human-scaled experience and provides spatial improvements to the area."

<img alt="First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="175a8324-015b-4856-abe3-ce6f23199fa7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium%20campsie.png?VersionId=742UGwXFhFBX4GEl6wX4PYIWREAgn6il" />

Woods Bagot describes the tower as a key marker within Campsie's next phase of growth.

"Located directly opposite the new Campsie Metro Station on North Parade, 10 London Street is a thoughtfully composed 33-storey mixed-use tower that contributes to the ongoing transformation of the town centre," the Architectural Design Report states. The report says the project is intended to provide "high-quality homes within a vibrant, connected urban environment, while helping define Campsie's future skyline."

A strong emphasis has been placed on the public realm. The ground floor incorporates over 500 sqm of retail space and active frontages along both London Street and North Parade, while the podium is wrapped by extensive landscaped planting intended to soften the building's scale and strengthen the pedestrian experience. The development would also widen surrounding footpaths and improve connections between the Metro station and the broader town centre.

Above the podium, residents would have access to more than 1,400 sqm of communal amenities, including a pool, gym and landscaped recreation spaces. A distinctive green-wall treatment extending across four podium levels forms a major architectural feature, helping differentiate the project within the emerging high-density precinct.

The tower's design is closely tied to the broader Campsie Town Centre Master Plan and the arrival of Sydney Metro. The Urban Design Report notes the proposal "directly supports the Campsie Town Centre Master Plan by delivering new homes in a location explicitly identified for growth, improved accessibility, and high-quality urban renewal." It adds that the project contributes to the master plan's vision for a strengthened town centre supported by thousands of new homes around the future Metro station.

<img alt="First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bfd17654-253e-489a-bade-6278d63db412" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/base%20campsie.png?VersionId=3roJPMQGs36dazpkhvpvbDDP73Ld.Ica" />

The application follows Arada's recently lodged One Campsie project at 124–142 Beamish Street and 16–18 Ninth Avenue, where the developer is seeking approval for 346 apartments across three towers rising 24, 32 and 39 storeys. Together, the two proposals would cement Arada as one of the most influential developers shaping Campsie's future urban form.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-arada-files-for-trio-of-apartment-towers-in-campsie-town-centre">First Look: Arada files for trio of apartment towers in Campsie town centre</a>

Arada entered the Australian market in 2024 and has rapidly assembled a significant development pipeline across Sydney. Alongside its Campsie holdings, the developer is soon to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wattle-green-2-fishburn-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Wattle Green</a> in Castle Hill, and has expanded its local operations following its acquisition of construction firm Roberts &amp; Co.

Located around 14 kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD, the site sits at the centre of one of Sydney's fastest-changing middle-ring precincts. The Metro conversion of Campsie Station, combined with Canterbury-Bankstown Council's master planning framework, is driving significant residential intensification around Beamish Street and North Parade, with thousands of new homes expected over coming decades.

First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans

For the first time in a long time, Australia's inflation story is starting to look more like a landing than a fight.

The latest Consumer Price Index figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed annual inflation eased to four per cent in May, down from 4.2 per cent in April. On the surface, that might not seem like a major move. Inflation remains above the Reserve Bank's target range and some categories continue to record stubborn price growth.

But the significance of this result lies less in where inflation sits today and more in what it means for where interest rates are likely heading next.

The biggest takeaway is that inflation continues to move in the right direction.

Markets had been bracing for another sticky result after a period where progress appeared to stall. Instead, headline inflation came in softer than expected, helped by falling fuel prices and easing transport costs. Annual transport inflation halved from 6.6 per cent in April to 3.3 per cent in May, while automotive fuel prices fell 11.9 per cent during the month following lower oil prices and the impact of reduced fuel excise measures.

While petrol prices don't solve Australia's affordability challenges, they are one of the most visible and immediate costs for consumers. Falling fuel costs feed through the economy quickly, helping ease pressure on household budgets and business operating expenses.

The ABS data also showed headline inflation is now sitting at its lowest annual level in several months, reinforcing the broader trend that price growth is gradually moderating.

That trend is important because it aligns with what many economists and lenders have been saying for the last month.

Prior to this week's inflation data, ANZ, NAB and Commonwealth Bank had all shifted their forecasts, now believing the Reserve Bank had likely reached the peak of the interest rate cycle. Following the May inflation release, ANZ reaffirmed that view.

In its latest economic update, ANZ said it expects quarterly trimmed mean inflation to come in at 3.7 per cent for the June quarter, slightly below the Reserve Bank's forecast of 3.8 per cent. Importantly, the bank said that outcome, when combined with slowing economic activity, "supports our view that the cash rate has peaked".

The Reserve Bank has spent the better part of three years attempting to bring inflation under control through higher interest rates. If Australia's major banks are correct and rates have now peaked, the conversation shifts from how much higher rates could go to when they might begin coming down.

Westpac's caution comes from underlying inflation. The trimmed mean, the measure most closely watched by the Reserve Bank, increased from 3.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent annually. Housing inflation remains elevated at 6.5 per cent, reflecting ongoing increases in rents, electricity costs and new dwelling construction.

Electricity prices remain particularly problematic, rising 21.1 per cent over the past year following the removal of government rebates.

Housing construction costs are also showing signs of renewed pressure. ANZ noted new dwelling costs rose 0.9 per cent in May and are now running at an annualised pace of 8.6 per cent over the past three months. Builders continue to face higher labour, fuel and material costs, a reminder that inflationary pressures have not completely disappeared.

Housing affordability has deteriorated largely because of higher interest rates rather than higher property prices alone. Even modest reductions in mortgage rates would improve borrowing capacity, increase buyer confidence and reduce repayment pressure on existing homeowners.

While August is far from a certainty, the latest inflation result has strengthened the view that the next move in rates is more likely to be down than up. For borrowers, buyers and the development sector, that alone represents a significant shift from the conversation that dominated much of the past two years.

The inflation result the property market was waiting for

Body Corporate

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GUEST OBSERVER
As the saying goes: 
<ul>
<li>there are the things that you know; </li>
<li>the things that you know that you don’t know (the known unknown); and </li>
<li>the things that you don’t know that you don’t know (the unknown unknown). </li>
</ul>
The recent Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in London highlights the potential catastrophic consequences of failing to find out the unknown unknown things and/or failing to take action to appropriately deal with the necessary things once known, such as the condition and performance standards of the materials in the building along with the necessary maintenance obligations of the body corporate.
There has been considerable media attention around the widespread existence of non-conforming building materials and potential devastating ramifications for bodies corporate. This article is aimed at the practical and proactive steps which bodies corporate can take to empower themselves and protect their lot owners and residents.
It is certainly true that the effective maintenance of strata title buildings is a complex affair. The contracts for the construction of the buildings on scheme land are entered into between the developer and the builder, long before the lot owners are ever in the picture. This means that; the lot owners have no input into the selection of materials or the standards of construction, and they are often unaware of the location of essential documents for the proper administration of their schemes, including construction contracts, plans and specifications.
This means that the body corporate and lot owners inherit the building with often unknown building materials; unknown latent conditions and they are unaware of the maintenance requirements for their particular building. This also has a direct effect on effectively budgeting for the future expenditure to properly maintain the building in order to maximise its effective lifespan.
Add to this the fact that there is a high amount of change within bodies corporate, which exacerbates the difficulty in managing vital information about the building. Lot owners sell, body corporate managers can change from year to year, resident managers can sell their management rights and committees often change each year. What this means is that the collective knowledge of all of the people who have been involved in the building is rarely centralised and as a result, key information and documentation is often misplaced along the way or is never obtained in the first place.
We recommend that bodies corporate take control of their information and documentation by implementing a building management document or plan. By the committee working in with the body corporate manager to create a bespoke plan for the operation and management of their building, bodies corporate will be able to identify what they know, what are the known unknown things about the building, and what unknown unknown things about their building (which are generally discovered by expert reports and professional advice). Additionally, this information is to be documented and centralised so that the body corporate does not lose this information as lot owners, body corporate managers, resident managers and committees change over time.
As part of the process of creating the building management plan, it is essential for bodies corporate to know the current (point-in-time) status of their building and documentation. For this reason, we highly recommend engagement of an expert, or team of experts, to enable the body corporate to “catch up” on the history of their building by obtaining all necessary documentation and obtain a status report as to the condition of their building as at today. This information and documentation can then be included in the building management plan and future obligations and expenditure for the building can be informed by this information. Additionally, all new occurrences at the building can be recorded in the building management plan as time goes on so that committees have the information which the need to effectively act on behalf of the body corporate to make decisions within their authority and to properly inform the lot owners in order for them to make effective decisions at general meetings.
Building condition and maintenance is only one of the many things which we recommend is included in an effective building management plan. If bodies corporate know what they know, know what they don’t know, and find out the unknown unknown things, then they are in a much greater position to plan for and make effective decisions on all matters which can have an effect on their building.
Hopefully, such an approach can enable bodies corporate to minimise or prevent financial and physical disasters.
James Nickless is partner of <a href="https://www.clarkekann.com.au/newsroom/combustible-cladding-audit?utm_source=Mondaq&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_campaign=View-Original" target="_blank">ClarkeKann Lawyers</a>. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Combustible cladding is just one of many essential building owners issues: CK Lawyers

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GUEST OBSERVER
Dealing with the aftermath of a storm is difficult for everyone affected.
It is particularly difficult for Bodies Corporate because they must also deal with upset lot owners, dispossessed tenants, and damage caused to common property. But where exactly does a Body Corporate’s obligations start and end? Dealing with a flooded foyer is one thing, but what happens when the roof of your apartment complex has been blown away?
What does a Body Corporate do then?
Be Proactive, Act Promptly 
In the aftermath of a storm, a Body Corporate should be proactive. It should notify its manager and insurers without delay. Ideally, the Committee for the Body Corporate should get someone on site as soon as possible to assess any damage, and circulate a notice to lot owners and tenants asking them to report any damage.
If a lot owner or a tenant reports any damage to a Body Corporate, it is extremely important for the Body Corporate to act promptly. The worst mistake a Body Corporate can make is to do nothing or leave it to their lot owners to deal with.
In MAGOG (No 15) Pty Ltd v The Body Corporate for the Moroccan [2010] QDC 70, the Court found that Bodies Corporate have a duty to repair and maintain the common property in good condition, including, to the extent that common property is structural in nature, in a structurally sound condition. The Court also found that, where a Body Corporate fails to meet these obligations, they may be liable for any property damage caused as a result, as well as pure economic loss if that loss is reasonably foreseeable.
In other words, when a storm damages common property and that damage causes consequential damage or loss to a lot, the Body Corporate may be responsible. If a Body Corporate does not, it places itself at risk of being sued, as occurred for the Body Corporate for the Moroccan. That is why being proactive and acting promptly is so important.
Have Insurance  
When it comes to insurance, the saying is that it is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. The same applies to Bodies Corporate. But with Bodies Corporate insurance is often a statutory requirement. Generally, Bodies Corporate are required to insure for its full replacement value:
a. the common property;
b. all Body Corporate assets;
c. each building in which a lot is located; and
d. common walls between adjoining lots.
In addition to this, Bodies Corporate must ensure that their insurance policy meets with certain minimum requirements. Generally, this requires an insurance policy that:
a. covers damage, such as storm damage, to the greatest practicable extent;
b. covers the costs of reinstating or replacement of insured buildings, including the cost of taking away debris, to the greatest practicable extent; and
c. provides for the reinstatement of property to its condition when new.
Therefore, before a storm strikes, Bodies Corporate must ensure that they have the proper insurance in place. This will not only help them discharge their statutory obligations but also help protect them and their lot owners when they need it the most.
Know who is responsible for the Excess
Having insurance is one thing. Paying the excess is another. Generally, a Body Corporate is allowed to purchase an insurance policy even though an excess may be payable on that policy. For an event affecting only one lot, the owner of that lot is liable to pay the excess unless the Body Corporate decides it is unreasonable in all the circumstances for the owner to bear the liability. For an event affecting two or more lots, or one or more lots and common property, the Body Corporate is liable to pay the excess unless it decides it is reasonable in all the circumstances for the excess to be paid for by:
a. the owner(s) of a particular lot; or
b. the owner(s) of a lot and the Body Corporate.
What this means is that if a storm causes damage to only one lot or even a handful of lots, the Body Corporate may require the affected owner(s) to pay the excess.
A similar situation was considered recently in the matter of The Point Coolum Beach [2014] QBCCMCmr 285 (4 August 2014). In this case, the Applicant was the owner of a lot that suffered water damage. The water damage was covered by the Body Corporate’s insurance, but a $20,000 excess was payable. The Body Corporate considered that it was reasonable in all the circumstances for the Applicant to bear the liability for the excess, and the Adjudicator who heard the case agreed.
The Adjudicator considered a variety of factors before ruling in favour of the Body Corporate, but particular emphasis was paid to the fact that:
a. the Body Corporate properly acquired its insurance in accordance with motions heard at annual general meetings;
b. the Body Corporate manager fully informed all lot owners, including the Applicant, that the excess payable in the event of water damage was $20,000; and
c. the Committee properly identified that the event only affected the Applicant’s lot and considered that it was reasonable for the Applicant to bear liability for the excess.
Therefore, when a Body Corporate purchases insurance, it is not only important that this is done properly, but that lot owners are fully informed of any excesses payable following an insurable event – such as a storm. By doing this, Bodies Corporate could save themselves the expense of hefty excesses, much like the Body Corporate for The Point Coolum Beach which effectively saved itself $20,000.
Conclusion
The first step for Bodies Corporate dealing with storm damage is to be prepared. They should have insurance and make sure lot owners understand how those policies work – particularly when it comes to the payment of any excess.
In the aftermath of a storm, a Body Corporate should be proactive and act promptly.
Mario Esera is senior Associate, Piper Alderman and can be contacted <a href="https://www.piperalderman.com.au/publications?article=8337">here.</a>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Property 101: Bodies corporate and storm damage

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The current laws governing residential and commercial buildings in Queensland are overly onerous and out-of-step with lawmakers’ objectives, according to a leading litigation lawyer. 
The Queensland government called for submissions regarding administrative and procedural issues arising from The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (Qld). 
In his submission, Slater and Gordon Litigation Lawyer David Greene said the current regulations are placing a large burden on bodies corporate across the state. 
“A growing number of Queenslanders live and work in buildings governed by this regulatory framework, which is failing to strike a balance between individual rights and democratic decision making,” Mr Greene said. 
“For example, some decisions currently require unanimous agreement, including potentially sustainable infrastructure proposals such as solar panels, water saving devices and wind generators. 
“Securing the agreement of every lot owner is onerous and counter-productive, especially when you consider that most sustainable infrastructure increases the value and longevity of the building, as well as reducing cost of living for residents.” 
However, Mr Greene also stressed the importance of ensuring every lot owner has a voice in the process. 
“In my opinion, there is no better safeguard to protect the minority interests of lot owners than their ability to challenge the reasonableness of a decision by the body corporate” Mr Greene said. 
“The current legislation allows for such challenges, but parties should not have to put up with the uncertainty and expense of utilising those procedures every time they fail to obtain unanimous support for a proposal. 
“Instead, the introduction of a special resolution for certain decisions (those presently requiring unanimous support) would provide an adequate layer of support and protection by balancing individual rights with the need for community consensus.” 
Recommendations to improve the effectiveness of Queensland’s body corporate laws 
1. Remove the onerous requirement for unanimous support and replace with a requirement to obtain a special resolution for certain decisions. 
2. Improve the dispute resolution provisions (including lot boundary disputes) and building and maintenance issues by requiring the original owner to hand over the development approval, the certificate of classification, the fire safety plan, the building contract and any other contracts which the body corporate is a party to for the site at the first AGM. 
3. Protect schemes from external influence and proxy voting by maintaining secret ballots to appoint a body corporate manager. 
4. Prevent ‘gaming’ of the system in small schemes that struggle to find sufficient numbers of lot owners willing to serve on a committee, by having the appointment of a body corporate manager as default, with an option to establish a committee as an alternative. 
5. Broaden the scope of the dispute resolution provisions, but ensure sufficient protections are built in to ensure concurrent litigation is not running in the Commissioner’s office and a Court. Concurrent litigation could become a legitimate strategy for a developer to undermine the ability of the body corporate to obtain a relatively inexpensive, easy and quick resolution to a dispute. 
Slater and Gordon Litigation Lawyer David Greene’s full submission to the Property Law Review Issues Paper is available <a href="https://media.slatergordon.com.au/s3fs-public/submission.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>: 
 
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