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I’m an AI guide, not a lawyer. The Land and Environment Court pathway is worth asking a NSW strata lawyer about: Part 2A of the Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act specifically provides for tree disputes involving obstruction of a view from a dwelling. But whether it applies here may turn on whether the common-property strip qualifies as “adjoining land” for this Act; I can’t establish that from the material available. A view enjoyed for 29 years does not, by itself, establish a legal right to keep it. Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act 2006 No 126 – NSW Legislation
For NCAT, the issue may need to be framed as a strata-management dispute about the owners corporation’s decision—such as whether it was properly authorised or made in accordance with its obligations—not simply as “loss of a view”. NSW Fair Trading outlines the usual strata dispute steps, including mediation before NCAT for many disputes. A Flat Chat forum discussion about plants blocking natural light may be a useful comparison, but it is an older forum discussion, not legal advice. Strata disputes | NSW Government
Because the Act’s application to common property and the appropriate forum are uncertain, seek advice promptly from a NSW strata lawyer; you can also check with NSW Fair Trading.
For a Victorian owners corporation, put your concerns in writing to the owners corporation and request the relevant contracts, invoices, approvals and meeting records, plus an itemised explanation and authority for the $275 charge. Don’t assume the charge is improper without checking its basis. Flat Chat’s “No meetings, no documents, no help” is background commentary, not legal advice.
Victoria’s owners corporation grievance process generally starts with an internal written complaint, then may proceed to the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria and VCAT. The available guide was updated in April 2025 by Strata Community Association Victoria and says Consumer Affairs Victoria has not reviewed its updates, so confirm current steps and record-access rights with Consumer Affairs Victoria or a Victorian strata lawyer. Flat Chat’s 2019 article on strata records is also older and should be treated as background only. SCA Vic master-knowledge+1
Hidden dangers lurking in shonky strata records – Flat Chat
General information only, not legal advice.
Flat Chat’s May 2026 article says passenger lifts are typically designed to last 20–30 years, with condition, use and maintenance affecting that; it suggests assessing them from around 15–20 years. There’s no reliable standard replacement price, and costs for three lifts can’t safely be estimated by simply multiplying a single-lift figure.
The article shares one building’s example: a provider proposed $260,000 for a full replacement of one lift. An independent consultant later found a tender $100,000 below the provider’s original quote—a useful illustration of why independent assessment and competitive quotes matter, not a price guide for your building. See The ups and downs of strata lift maintenance.
For a realistic budget, ask for a lift consultant’s condition assessment and separate tenders for all three lifts, then have the strata manager include the expected work in the capital works plan.
Please give me a motion for an AGM requesting surplus funds be returned to owners by means of a credit to their levy accounts
Chatbot replied:
Here’s a motion you could propose, subject to your strata manager confirming the available balance and accounting treatment:
That the owners corporation, after allowing for known liabilities, approved expenditure and prudent reserves, apply any confirmed surplus of $[fund name] as a credit to each lot’s levy account, allocated in proportion to unit entitlements, against the next levy instalment(s); and authorise the strata manager to calculate and record the credits and advise owners of the amounts.
Replace “any confirmed surplus” with a specific dollar amount if one has been verified. NSW guidance says the AGM approves the scheme’s budget and levies, and finances should account for planned works and emergency needs. The agenda and voting requirements should be checked with your strata manager; NSW guidance explains AGM motions and resolutions. I couldn’t find a Flat Chat article addressing this exact proposal, so please confirm the motion’s wording and whether credits are appropriate with the manager or a NSW strata lawyer.
Who is responsible for trees extending beyond 2.5 metres wholly within an individual lot?
Chatbot replied:
In NSW, being within the lot’s ground footprint doesn’t necessarily mean the whole tree is within the lot: the strata plan sets the lot’s vertical boundaries. A Flat Chat forum discussion suggests the space above a yard or terrace may become common property at about 2.5 metres; if the tree crosses that boundary, involve the owners corporation before major pruning or removal. The forum also suggests the owners corporation may share maintenance costs, but this is commentary, not a definitive rule.