I had smaller matter with a strata where I was to pay a contractor (first a deposit and in the fullness of time, the balance) and would be reimbursed an agreed amount by the committee when presenting my invoice.
This process is common. Contractors often don’t want to deal with more than one party. Having both you and the committee pull the strings 24/7 would likely frustrate a contract.
Your aim must be to lock in the committee before work commences. One day, trotting off to NCAT may result in your victory, but it could be a year or more before that happens. What you need to ensure – long before work starts and ideally before you put any money down – are specifics you can put in front of a Member of NCAT or a Judge in a Local Court and bind the committee.
You mention you “told” the strata manager etc. I assume in writing because if it was verbal, in time you’ll see that isn’t worth a hill of beans. A few things come to mind, summarised below.
Do you have written acknowledgement from the committee ?
1. Confirming what is the reason for and scope of the job?
2. Stating that you can choose the contractor?
3. As to the quantum of the cost of the job which the committee is prepared to pay?
4. That the committee will pay you 50% of the contractor’s (contractors) invoices for the job?
5. That you will keep the committee, via its representative informed as to the progress on the fence. In order to do that, the committee is obliged – before the works begin – to give you the contact details of their representative (name, phone and email);
6. That before the works begin the committee will give the builder (with a copy to you) any rules, by laws etc it has in place or wishes to assign to the works, so the builder knows, for example, what hours of work are authorised, whether he can traverse common property with his equipment or rubbish, where he can park etc;
7. That payment pursuant to item 4 is to be made to you or your representative on presentation of invoice, or interest will be charged at commercial rates until payment has been received;
8. That before the job is completed, that the committee’s representative will attend the site and bring to you and the contractor(s) attention any concern the committee has, if any, with the works;
9. Notwithstanding any concern or issue that may arise (see item 8 above), the committee undertakes to fulfill its payment obligations as per item 7 above. The committee should take up its concerns , if any, with the contractor directly (whilst keeping you fully informed).
The above are a few thoughts that came to my mind. I, from my experience as an owner and not as a legal scholar, would urge not proceed without confirmation similar to the above or you could well end up on the hook for all the cost.