Chris J said:
The garden itself is the owner’s responsibility while the OC is responsible for the pit and it is improper for the gardening to become an OC expense. Am I correct?
Yes you are.
Strata Manager has no authority to spend OC funds on anything unless it’s been pre approved or a vote has been held to approve it. I would say the vote would have to be unanimous to spend money on anything but common property.
This is strictly against the law. Think of the Strata Manager as the Strata Administrator which is a better description in 90% of the strata complexes.
Advise him unless he desists you will expect him personnel to reimburse the OC any gardening charges unless the OC approves with a vote.