Strata Community Association (ACT) has released its election platform for the strata  sector ahead of the 2024 Australian Capital Territory (ACT) General Election, calling all parties to back  the call for a dedicated strata commissioner and legislative reform. 

SCA (ACT) is seeking a commitment of $3 million over the next four years from whoever forms  government to establish a new Strata Commissioner’s Office and Strata Commissioner. 

The Strata Commissioner’s Office should serve as a central body for strata community oversight,  regulation, and dispute resolution, providing the essential support and resources that strata owners,  residents, managers and service providers critically require. 

In addition, SCA (ACT) wants to see a continuation of the very successful and collaborative legislative  working group that has during this term of government delivered new legislation to address the evolving  needs of the strata industry. 

These reforms should focus on enhancing transparency, fairness, and sustainability within the sector. 

SCA (ACT) President Chris Miller said that the establishment of a dedicated Strata Commissioner’s Office that acted as a one-stop shop and streamlined everything related to strata would improve strata living  and management significantly. 

"With 70 per cent of the ACT’s housing supply expected to be some form of strata-titled property, it is  also essential that the legislative framework that currently reinforces the industry adapts to the  constantly shifting dynamics of strata living,” he said. 

“The strata sector needs help to support its growth and professionalism. As a young set of professions  and industry compared to more established industries, the strata sector needs education, resources and  dedicated attention from government to fulfil its potential. 

"Establishing this office will empower strata owners and managers with fundamental tools necessary to  resolve issues, leading to the positive outcomes seen in other jurisdictions that have followed this model. 

Mr Miller elaborated on the work SCA (ACT) has been carrying out as part of its election campaign and  advocacy. 

“We’ve developed a short, sharp platform with simple asks, met with the most critical stakeholders to its  implementation from within the legal, property, housing and consumer sectors and met with  government and the major political parties to gain their endorsement.  

“The ACT Greens have already agreed to establish the commissioner role as part of their housing policy,  and also to establish the working group if they form government – we are urging all parties to join them  and do the same,” said Mr Miller.

ACT Strata Sector by the numbers

• Between 100,000 and 150,000 people in the ACT live in strata. That’s between 1 in 3 and 1 in 5  people. 
• The strata sector directly creates 385 jobs in the ACT and creates millions of dollars of additional  services to the economy.  
• Strata living is growing extremely quickly in the ACT. The ACT had Australia’s highest strata  growth rate over the past two years, with a 19 per cent increase in lots since 2020. There are  approximately 10,000 Canberrans each year, and they need to live somewhere. 
• Strata living is one answer to the cost of living crisis. In January 2024, CoreLogic reports showed  that the difference between the median price of a house and a unit is $381,357. Apartments and  townhouses are an affordable entry point into the housing market, especially for first-home  buyers and low to middle-income earners. 
• Strata property is worth $32 billion in the ACT. 

Read the full report election platform here.