gslatts said:
Is it usual for all EC communiations, including voting, to be carried out via email?
This is a common enough way of getting day-to-day decisions made but every so often you need to have an EC meeting to formally approve and minute all decisions (if for no other reason than owners can't attend an email round robin).
Shouldn't concerns in relation to unit owners be sent to the strata manager who would then decide on how to respond?
This is really not the strata manager's job. They are there to facilitate the running of the building – collect levies, pay bills and advise on procedure – not manage it or owners.
If someone is making unfair or defamatory comments about you in an email group, they can sued for defamation (even if the comments are true). And the good thing about emails is that you have written evidence of what they are saying. But suing a neighbour for defamation is a bit sad, really (and bloody expensive).
It may be better to establish a protocol for your email group that prevents personal attacks, bullying and other abuses. Then the defamer can be pulled up by others in the group whenever they cross the line.
Your EC insurance probably doesn't cover someone who is defaming other owners by email so all concerned need to calm down a bit and think about how the recipients are going to feel before they hit the “send” button.