Category Archives: Strata

Some thoughts from a client

‘Quality Service’ – this is what most of us read as words that form part of a marketing ploy to get you to use a service. Most of us assume that those words are true and accurate of any company who use them….. Less than a year ago, I stopped dealing with one company who used those words, and started dealing with another who meant them…

I am an owner occupier of a property in a rather large complex in the Inner West. Like everyone who is an owner occupier, I like to take pride in where I live and like to know that the people who manage the complex that I live in, are giving me the best value for money and a quality environment. This is where a quality service is important. I was one of the unlucky ones who purchased a brand new property and then watched it deteriorate because of the mis-management of a Strata company that were employed at the time to give me that ‘quality service’…..

Everyone has a choice in life, change what you don’t like, or live with it. I chose to make the change as I felt that I was entitled to enjoy the property that I purchased. So, less than a year ago…. I made that change, and was fortunate enough to be referred to Netstrata by a friend. From the initial contact, I was given professional guidance as to what was needed to be done. Netstrata took on a big job without any hesitation. From the changeover, to dealing with all of the issues and resolving them, our dedicated Strata Manager put more than 110% into the job.

Today, I can walk through the complex and see how well the gardens are kept, how clean the foyers are and most importantly how little I need to get involved to keep the complex to the standards that it so rightfully deserves. Netstrata have been a godsend to this complex and I can honestly say that now I’m getting what I pay for and more.

Strata Plan 77727 Strata Committee. Managed by Liesl Biles.

3 reach 10 at Netstrata

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Last Friday Netstrata celebrated the anniversary’s of Sandie Garcia, Michelle Zrno and Samantha Antipas having been with the company for 10 years. Netstrata knows they are only as great as the people they employ, and are proud to have 3 of their team reach the milestone of a decade with the organisation.

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Our social club arranged a fantastic surprise celebration at the Blakehurst Bowling Club where a fantastic dinner was enjoyed by all. Sandie, Michelle and Samantha were presented with awards for long service and some gifts from Swarovski.

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2010 ISTM Sailing Challenge

The Institute of Strata Title Management (ISTM), is the leading professional body for the strata and community title sector in NSW, and recently held their annual sailing challenge. Wendy Wong from Netstrata attended the challenge and said it “was a great day and good opportunity to speak with other strata managers about the benefits of strata living and the challenges facing the sector”.

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Wendy Wong at the Helm lookout!

ISTM represents over 1,300 strata managers, principals and suppliers in the sector. The members’ experience ranges from large corporates to small family businesses. They have expertise in all facets of strata management and service provision. Their experience spans those with a lifetime in the industry, to those who are just beginning their careers.

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Wendy and some other Crew.

Membership of the Institute is open to Strata Managers and Suppliers to the sector. A subscription service is also available to those owning a strata or community lot and members of the Owners Corporation Strata Committee. ISTM is a affiliate member of NCTI, the national body for Strata and Community Title Managers.

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A great Day for All

Netstrata secure their future in Carlton

The management of Netstrata are pleased to announce that they have secured their future in Carlton with the acquisition of 294 – 298 Railway Parade. The building currently comprises Netstrata’s head office, home to 35 of their team. Other tenants in the building include Lifestyle Fitness Australia and Sarraf Real Estate.

New building

Managing Director Stephen Brell said “having to relocate over 5 years ago from Hurstville to Carlton because our existing premises were being demolished; it is fantastic to now secure our future in the same location. We can now focus wholly on our business strategy of providing the best strata and community title management services, without having to worry about relocating. Over time to we plan to further improve our facilities to ensure that our clients strata experiences are further enhanced.”

Schindler lifts industry working group

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Schindler Strata Working Group

Jeremy Stone Netstrata’s Business Development Manager was invited by Schindler Lifts National Portfolio and Marketing Manager Damian Richards to join an industry working group to consider improvements that could be offered to strata schemes in NSW. The group met with Schindler and discussed the development of a tailored strata contract that could be offered to the sector to meet the specific needs that have arisen over the years.

Jeremy Stone said “Lifts are often one of the most expensive common property items within a strata schemes annual budget, and a clearer contract will result in owners having a better understanding as to what is involved in an annual maintenance program and more flexibility in their decision making process”.

Netstrata engage Public Speaking Australia for seminar

Last Friday the strata manager’s and support team at Netstrata undertook an intensive training session with Greg Stockwell from Public Speaking Australia to learn better presentation skills. Greg has worked with a large number of big corporations, sporting and media identities and politicians; it was a great privilege to have him present for Netstrata.

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Greg Stockwell Public Speaking Australia and Wendy Wong Netstrata

Wendy Wong Netstrata’s Corporate Training and Development Manager said ” an important role for a strata manager is to present effectively at all meetings of our client schemes. Learning skills to help our team in this regard will ensure our clients go away with a greater understanding as to what has occurred at their property’s throughout the year”

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Sarah Tickner Presents

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Korda Mentha appoint Netstrata – Kemblawarra Business Park

Corporate recovery firm Korda Mentha appoint Netstrata to undertake the setup and management of the Kemblawarra Business Park community association in Port Kembla. Tenancies include Toll, Harvey Norman, Dairy Farmers and Southern Steel.

Business Development Manager Jeremy Stone said ” its great to be recognised as industry leaders in strata & community title management and given the opportunity to setup this project”.

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Netstrata appointed as Strata Managers for ADVANX Apartments

Netstrata are proud to announce that they have been appointed as strata managers to the prestigious Advanx Apartments developed by Lindsay Bennelong Developments and built by renown builders Kell & Rigby.

Advanx Apartments at night

At one of Sydney’s last major development opportunities, the former Advanx Tyre & Rubber site in Rushcutters Bay, has been developed into an exclusive residential precinct that will represent the epitome of luxurious, inner city living. Strata Manager Emily Goodreid said “It is fantastic to be involved with such a fantastic project with such an enthusiastic group of owners and executive committee, I look forward to working with them to provide a premium service strata management service”.

For more information regarding this great project contact strata manager Emily Goodreid on 02 8567 6407 or see the project website at www.advanxeast.com.au

Governing the compact city – UNSW City Futures survey

A new two-year research project, being undertaken with the assistance of the NSW strata industry, the NSW State Government and the Federal Government, will chart the key issues facing the governance and management of strata buildings. The research will be undertaken by the City Futures Research Centre at the University of NSW.

The project is the first major study of the strata sector undertaken in Australia. Win 1 of 4 $250 Coles Myer Gift Cards (Authorised under NSW permit number LTPS/10/00291).

The research has three main aims:

To explore the role, capacity & effectiveness of owners’ corporations as agencies of property governance and management.
To explore the capacity & effectiveness of strata managers as mediators of outcomes for owners and residents in strata & their role within the overall structure of management & governance.
To assess how well residential strata works from strata owners’ points of view.

The project, which focuses on NSW, will deliver systematic information about the operation of the strata system. The findings will assist residents, owners and those involved in strata management and policy development to better understand the nature and scale of issues facing the strata sector and its capacity to self-manage these issues. It will provide an informed evidence base to support improved best practice and policy development across the sector. While it focuses on NSW, the results will inform policy and practice in the strata sector across Australia.

This survey is intended to gauge individual committee members’ opinions and experiences, rather than a collective Strata Committee view. We therefore encourage all individual Strata Committee members to participate. We would be pleased if multiple committee members in the one strata scheme complete the survey.

Go to the their website to see the report.

Strata schemes regulations reform

UDIA Managing Director Stephen Brell has been appointed to the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Strata & Community Title Committee. Stephen will be involved with reviewing the current Strata Schemes Management Regulations and will be preparing some recommendations to be submitted to the NSW Government for consideration. Stephen said “I am pleased to be part of this committee, as there are a lot of opportunities to enhance the current regulations resulting in greater options for strata schemes”.