Re: Balcony Safety

Thanks Sir Humphrey and tharra.

The NCAT hearing should prove an interesting affair. The EC sent the Strata Manager to the Conciliation hearing so that was a waste of time. It will be interesting to see if they make it to the final hearing.

I have proposed that the safety balustrade be temporary (easy to remove) and reduced the height from 130cm to 120cm (same as pool fencing as I don’t think the BCA 100cm really cuts it).

I’ve also stated that if and when the OC can agree on a building wide solution on design and cost that I will be happy to remove my installation the day before the builder starts.

I’ve proposed that via a Special ByLaw that we would be responsible for cost, maintenance and removal.

I think we are being pretty reasonable really but I hear through the grapevine that the owner above (who has a minor sea glimpse view, and who is also the instigator in all the objections) would like a glass balustrade extension and for the owners corp to front up the costs for this – (given that all but 4 balconies out of 9 have been enclosed – this would significantly reduce his costs). However, this has not been officially communicated, isn’t on the 10 year plan and it would wipe out the sinking fund.

Hopefully the NCAT Tribunal Member sees sense and allows our solution to remain until such time a building wide solution is implemented.