You’ve probably heard whispers about the NSW Transport Noise Reduction Grants … In our building, one lucky owner — living in one of the quietest units — somehow managed to secure the grant. Thirty-five other owners are now demanding the same treatment. Who wouldn’t? Free double glazing!
Okay, so what’s the problem?
What about the pensioner in Mascot who lives under a flight path, shaking teacups every time a jet takes off — and has no idea this obscure grant even exists?
That has absolutely nothing to do with your block and should not influence decisions your committee makes.
Our strata committee has raised serious questions: Was this application in line with the intent of the grant — to help those truly suffering from transport noise?
That’s not for the committee to decide – the department that approved the grant makes that decision, whether you like it or not is irrelevant.
Shouldn’t the lots facing the major highway be prioritised instead?
Did they apply for the grant and were refused?
And now the kicker: does the recipient have to comply with the Design and Building Practitioners Act (NSW) 2020? Some owners argue yes, however the works exceed $5,000, so compliance is mandatory. Others argue no — “it’s a grant, not strata money.”
It doesn’t matter where the money came from. If the cost of the work is over a prescribed amount and involves building work, the DBPA applies.
No one wants to pay for legal advice, and the committee is divided. Should a by-law be required? Should Owners Corporation funds ever be used?
What would you be using OC funds for? To fight this at NCAT?
What started as a simple government grant has exploded into a strata showdown, raising questions of equity, compliance, and ethics.
If it’s a simple government grant, why has no one else applied for or received it? Equity, compliance and ethics? It seems to me that the only thing in question here is compliance, and if the installation has been approved, the strata committee should comply. From the outside, it seems like envy rather than equity is in play here, and personal vendettas rather than good practice. Tell me I’m wrong and I will correct ththe misconception here.
There is no “explosion” … just a “small war, not many dead.”