I don’t want to fight with my neighbours but … any pointers on how to stick it up all of them????
Hmmm. Go in with that attitude and you are likely to lose. Even those who don’t want to get involved will join the defensive cluster. The two most compelling arguments in strata are how much this will cost owners if they don’t agree do it and how they will benefit if they do. The “we have always done it this way…” argument rarely passes muster, especially since, in the churn of new people in any block, many people relish change for its own sake.
Perhaps if you explain to owners that the strata manager has made several errors in pursuing this and you have been advised that you have a strong case which you intend to take to the Tribunal. If the strata scheme loses – as you are sure they will – the OC will have to raise a special levy to pay all their legal costs but it will exclude you. In other words, if they want a fight, they and not you will have to pay for it if they lose. The words “special levy” usually get people’s attention.
BTW, I am not suggesting that you will prevail at a tribunal, but if you are prepared to engage in a little bluster – baffle them with BS and blind them with bush law – you might get the majority of owners on side and that is all you need.