If there was no general meeting at which the special levy was agreed, then the special levy is invalid. If there was a general meeting then there should be a copy of the agenda and the minutes. Strata searches – turning up at the strata manager’s office and looking through the files – costs $30 or thereabouts.
If you don’t have a strata manager and the strata committee can’t produce a copy of the agenda and minutes, go to Fair Trading and ask for mediation.
If you feel the building is seriously dysfunctional, or there is clear evidence that fraud is involved, apply to NCAT for the appointment of a compulsory manager (but be careful what you wish for).