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[Mortimer T]

In older buildings the ‘switchroom’ is one-stop shop of connections: Telecommunications, NBN, security camera access etc.

Ausgrid, Telstra and a number of other large utility companies have signed deals with Integrity Locksmiths (licence holder),  for the exclusive use of the Abloy master key system replacing the easier to obtain NMB keys. This effectively locks out a vast number of trades that need day-to day or emergency access to services as basic as meter reading.

Getting access or a key is like pulling teeth.

Why is this monopoly  allowed to restrict access to privately owned space?

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[kaindub]

Abloy does not have an exclusive monopoly for two reasons.

1. You can get your locks keyed to a select number of suppliers. Abloy being jusT one.

2. Your block will have its own key to the electricity room. It can be copied by any competent locksmith.

The purpose of the Master key arrangement is that the supply authority has one (master ) key that opens every meter room in the land. Your block has a unique key for your building that will not open other blocks meter rooms.

This system is not only in old blocks but in all new buildings.

Your strata manager or secretary should have a key. As you said it’s common property so authorised people should have access to it.

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[Jimmy-T]

kaindub wrote:

Abloy does not have an exclusive monopoly for two reasons. 1. You can get your locks keyed to a select number of suppliers. Abloy being jusT one. 2. Your block will have its own key to the electricity room. It can be copied by any competent locksmith.

I’m not sure of your reasoning here?  If the big utilties companies insist on using Assa Abloy keys, how does a strata scheme avoid changing its locks.

Maybe I’m missing something but it’s worth Googling “Abloy monopoly” to see similar complaints in other countries

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[Mortimer T]

The difficulty in getting after hours keys from Strata Managers has led to some strata companies changing the restricted key Ausgrid-imposed system locks back to NMB. This advice from a electrician who specialises in strata work.

And who actually owns our electricity supply companies, that they should impose such access controls on private buildings?

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