Investigative Journalism and Learning Hub - Strata Management References from Internet Sources

Welcome to the blog of NSW strata investigative journalism

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was NOT involved in investigations of strata issues in Australia (primarily NSW). We never used or relied on AI, and instead deployed classical methods: thorough due diligence, mitigating bias, abiding by ethical principles, clear and transparent documentation, mitigating risk, continuous monitoring, and legal compliance.

Sitemap for BCS Strata Management work in SP52948

Sitemap for Waratah Strata Management work in SP52948

Primary audience on the website are SP52948 owners (current and previous), tenants, investors, and potential buyers in strata complex.

The rest of the audience is anyone who might be interested in problems with strata schemes in NSW...

The owner of the website was exposed to multiple threats and indimidation tactics by BCS Strata Management (until 31 January 2017) and Waratah Strata Management (since 1 February 2017), which included unsuccessful defamation attempts, false statements to owners in notices of the meetings, prevention of access to SP52948 strata documents (and even Strata Rolls), preventing the owner from conducting duties of committee member whilst allowing unfinancial owners to do it, supported verbal threats, stalking, and intimidation of the owners, and refusal to attend free mediations at NSW Fair Trading, whilst providing false statements to CTTT and NCAT through the same Solicitor.

How far Waratah Strata Management went is best proven through explicit usage of so-called “Unreasonable Communications”, discriminatory Special By-Law, as advised by Solicitor Adrian Mueller, which so far allowed Waratah Strata Management to ignore owners complaints seven times:

  1. Motions 18 and 19 at AGM on 18 October 2018, with unqualified and baseless threats, preventing owners to have access to Lot 158 Motions and vote on them.

  2. Motion 4 at committee meeting on 2 May 2019.

  3. Waratah Strata Management secret email to Fair Trading NSW on 20 May 2019 (11 days before Lot 158 was scheduled for document search in strata manager’s office), confirming that Lot 158 was not allowed to have access to strata files including Strata Roll – email was fully supported by all members of the committee.

  4. Motion 4 at committee meeting on 20 June 2019.

  5. Motion 3 at committee meeting on 29 April 2021, with further false statements and threats against Lot 158.

  6. Motion 6 at committee meeting on 10 February 2022 (notice of meeting not sent to all owners and minutes not published on notice board).

  7. Waratah Strata Management email response on 16 June 2023, refusing to deal with serious SP52948 risks and insurance fraud.

There is no website which covers more detailed events related to strata issues with direct evidence than this one in Australia (trust through verification).

This website does not have any desire or intent to add own comments and therefore it is up to anybody to make up their own conclusions based on evidence and statements by others who did it in public forums, in courts, or elsewhere. All files on this website were provided to Fair Trading NSW, Office of Legal Services Commissioner, CTTT (now NCAT), District Court, Supreme Court, and Police.

  1. In 1961 the Conveyancing (Strata Titles) Act was introduced in NSW. This act created a legal mechanism for the vertical subdivision of multi-unit housing.

  2. This map shows the historical progression of strata schemes as they were registered across Sydney, and provides a unique snapshot of the development of higher density Sydney. Initially concentrated in a few small pockets on the North Shore and Eastern Suburbs, strata developments have now become an important feature of the housing landscape in all parts of Sydney:

    UNSW - Strata Schemes of Sydney: 1961 to 2015

  3. There were 2909 mediation applications received by NSW Fair Trading in 2022, compared with 1994 in 2018.

    The most common issues for mediation related to repairs and maintenance of common property and breaches of by-laws, a NSW Fair Trading spokesperson said.

    Of 2909 mediation applications, just 963 resulted in mediation, while 835 were dropped, with the respondent refusing to participate; the remaining 616 applications were either resolved before mediation or withdrawn:

    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-extra-obstacle-for-owners-clashing-with-body-corporates-over-building-defects-20230713-p5do1u.html

  4. The huge growth of strata schemes in Australia requires good laws to protect owners. Originally, it was expected that democracy would be the leading avenue for managing complexes. But, democracy requires high level of sense and ethics. When lack of ethics and ignorance of laws are prevalent, how to proceed? One way is to educate public and rise awareness that license to be a strata manager is one of the easiest in any industry: Strata Community Australia (SCA) are offering a three-day course on qualifying to be a strata manager with no prior educational requirements (apparently educational requirements are fulfilled by completing the course).

  5. Justice McCallum publicly stated:

    Extensive media reporting of allegations of criminal conduct is not a mischief in itself. On the contrary, it is appropriate to recognise that the media play an important role in drawing attention to allegations of criminal or other misconduct and any shortcomings in the treatment of such allegations.
  6. The Australian Government has passed the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 and legislation amending the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013.

    Fraud is dishonestly obtaining a benefit, or causing a loss, by deception or other means.

    Corrupt conduct includes:

    Section 8(a):

    Any conduct of any person (whether or not a public official) that adversely affects, or that could adversely affect, either directly or indirectly:

    (i) The honest or impartial exercise of any public official’s powers, as a public official; or

    (ii) The honest or impartial performance of any public official’s functions or duties as a public official.

    Section 8(b):

    Any conduct of a public official that constitutes or involves a breach of public trust.

    Section 8(c):

    Any conduct of a public official that constitutes, involves or is engaged in for the purpose of abuse of the person’s office as a public official.

    Section 8(d):

    Any conduct of a public official, or former public official, that constitutes or involves the misuse of information or documents acquired in the person’s capacity as a public official.

  7. Most drastic example of BCS Strata Management failures is that BCS Strata Management was premeditated accessory in false statements and fraudulent evidence in CTTT Case 12/32675 Statutory Declaration and Affidavit in District Court Case 2013/360456 whilst ignoring these legal documents by Lot 158

    Brief evidence of Solicitor Adrian Mueller involvement in fraudulent activities in CTTT case SCS 12/32675

    Brief evidence of Solicitor Adrian Mueller involvement in fraudulent activities in CTTT case SCS 12/50460

    Lot 158 Statutory Declaration in CTTT case SCS 13/50737 which BCS Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller ignored

    Affidavit of Lot 158 in District Court case 13/360456 which BCS Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller ignored

  8. Solicitor Adrian Mueller created dangerous precedence in two CTTT/NCAT cases (SCS 12/32675 and SC 20/33352) which, based on Australian legal system, allow other parties to use as valid defence (legal precedents). CTTT/NCAT fully co-operated with the Solicitor and effectively rendered NSW strata laws useless, and even allowed Solicitor's reprentation of large strata plan SP52948 without having any evidence of being approved by owners corporation (in fact, Solicitor was not approved at any legally-convened meeting).

    CTTT/NCAT actively supported Solicitor Adrian Mueller's predictive behaviour, conspiracy offence, contempt of court, falsified documents, and insurance claims in two cases in 2012/2013 (SCS 12/32675 and SCS 12/50460, conducted by Tribunal member M. Harrowell) and 2020/2021 (SC 20/33352, conducted by Tribunal member G.J. Sarginson). The precedence means that all evidence of the Applicant can be ignored if the Respondent fails to attend Hearings.

    Tribunal had full knowledge of the Applicant's submissions about Solicitor Adrian Mueller, including ones dated 8 February 2022, 27 February 2022, and 22 June 2022, which they completely ignored.

    Public is voicing strong concerns about problems with Tribunals. Issues with strata complexes and dubious quality of services provided by those who should enforce laws are common and frequent - examples:

    NSW-Civil-Tribunal-failing-to-deliver-services

  9. Main emphasis is on BCS Strata Management (part of Pica Group) because they claim:

    service promises, exemplary culture and way of working, market leader.

    Persistent refusal by BCS Strata Management to co-operate with Police, CTTT/NCAT, District Court, and Supreme Court whilst being accessory to forgery of documents and false statements
    Examples of threats, intimidation, and harassment of SP52948 Lot 158 to prevent investigations of mismanagement and misappropriation of common funds
    Desperate attempts by Police, Waratah Strata Management, Solicitor Adrian Mueller, and BCS Strata Management to recover lost USB key with SP52948 strata files without disclosure to courts and 218 owners
    BCS Strata Management was accessory before, at, and after the event: involvement in supporting Solicitor Adrian Mueller in CTTT case SCS 12/32675
    BCS Strata Management Statutory Declaration with fraudulent evidence and false statements in CTTT case SCS 12/32675
    BCS Strata Management was accessory before, at, and after the event: involvement in supporting Solicitor Adrian Mueller in CTTT case SCS 12/50460
    BCS Strata Management was accessory in false statements and evidence in CTTT Case SCS 12/32675 Statutory Declaration and District Court Case 2013/360456
    BCS Strata Management ignored Lot 158 Affidavit in District Court Case 2013/360456
    BCS Strata Management ignored Lot 158 Statutory Declaration in CTTT case SCS 13/50737
    BCS Strata Management ignored Lot 158 Statutory Declaration in NCAT case SC 20/33352
    BCS Strata Management ignoring and deleting customer's complaints and concerns
    COO Greg Freeman ignoring customer's complaints and concerns

    Repetitive efforts by BCS Strata Management to prevent access to SP52948 documents
    BCS Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller preventing access to SP52948 strata documents in November 2012
    BCS Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 17 October 2013
    BCS Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 14 November 2014
    BCS Strata Management preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 18 December 2015

    BCS Strata Management silent about evidence and comments on ProductReview and Google website
    BCS Strata Management - 100 Shades of Bad at ProductReview website
    BCS Strata Management appalling customer's comments at ProductReview website
    BCS Strata Management highly dubious changes of ratings at ProductReview website
    Customer offers $1,000.00 reward if anyone can find worse strata agency than BCS Strata Management in Google forum
    BCS Strata Management - examples of negative reputation from internet resources
    For more references, search BCS Strata Management in this sitemap
  10. The other strata company being analysed is Waratah Strata Management (full details), or short summary:

    Waratah Strata Management - Selected Examples of Major Financial Concerns in SP52948
    At committee meeting on 22 February 2024, Waratah Strata Management was forced to admit they "accidentally" falsified financials since November 2023, with one monthly salary for Uniqueco Property Services and gas usage payments missing in total amount of around $30,000.00
    SP52948-accounting-differences-for-status-on-30Nov2023-found-on-Waratah-Strata-Management-website-27Feb2024
    SP52948-accounting-differences-for-status-on-31Dec2023-found-on-Waratah-Strata-Management-website-27Feb2024
    SP52948-accounting-differences-for-status-on-31Jan2024-found-on-Waratah-Strata-Management-website-27Feb2024
    SP52948-accounting-differences-for-status-for-late-Feb2024-found-on-Waratah-Strata-Management-website-27Feb2024
    SP52948-AGM-2023-dubious-invoices-24Oct2023
    SP52948-AGM-2023-misconducts-and-risks-24Oct2023
    Graph of effects by Waratah Strata Management on SP52948 Admin Fund since 1 February 2017 when they took office
    SP52948 effects of Waratah-Strata Management on Balance Sheet since 31Jan2017
    SP52948-first-time-in-history-Admin-Fund-continuous-negative-balances-for-two-FY-quarters-Apr2023
    SP52948-first-time-in-history-Admin-Fund-almost-continuous-negative-balances-for-third-FY-quarter-Jul2023
    SP52948-effects-of-Waratah-Strata-Management-on-Balance-Sheet-from-1Sep2022-to-31Aug2023 (FY 2023)
    SP52948 effects of Waratah-Strata Management on Balance Sheet from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023 (FY 2023)
    SP52948 effects of Waratah-Strata Management on Balance Sheet from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 (FY 2024)
    SP52948-pending-legal-case-to-terminate-contract-with-Uniqueco-Property-Services-detailed-summary
    SP52948-six-of-last-eight-general-meetings-did-not-have-Auditor-reports-sent-in-agenda-before-general-meeting-16Jan2024
    Irresponsible growth of levies (with example for Lot with entitlement 47.00) in period 1998 to 2024, with emphasis on effects of Waratah Strata Management since 1 February 2017
    Waratah Strata Management silent about irresponsible 10-Year Capital Works Fund plans in 2017 and 2021, further delaying overdue upgrades and repairs due to lack of funds
    Waratah Strata Management contributed to significant base contract increases for Uniqueco Property Services by disallowing competitive tenders and disclosure of information about real quality of building management services
    Waratah Strata Management dubious accounting practices - example for FY 2018
    Waratah Strata Management ignored concerns about SP52948 repayments to insurance company for legal costs of Solicitor Adrian Mueller on 24 May 2023
    SP52948-incomplete-insurance-policy-disclosures-to-owners-in-period-2012-to-2023
    SP52948-insurance-premium-changes-1997-to-2024.pdf
    SP52948-underinsured-large-strata-complex-for-catastrophe-events-FY-2023
    Waratah Strata Management warned about SP52948 insurance risks, safety, financial health (bankruptcy risk), and non-compliance with laws on 8 June 2023
    Waratah Strata Management warned about SP52948 insurance risks, safety, financial health (bankruptcy risk), and non-compliance with laws - part 2 on 19 June 2023
    Waratah Strata Management warned about SP52948 insurance risks, safety, financial health (bankruptcy risk), and non-compliance with laws - part 3 on 19 July 2023
    Waratah Strata Management warned about SP52948 insurance risks, safety, financial health (bankruptcy risk), and non-compliance with laws - part 4 on 18 August 2023
    Waratah Strata Management warned about SP52948 insurance risks, safety, financial health (bankruptcy risk), and non-compliance with laws - part 5 on 12 September 2023
    Waratah Strata Management warned about SP52948 insurance risks, safety, financial health (bankruptcy risk), and non-compliance with laws - part 6 on 13 September 2023
    Waratah Strata Management warned about SP52948 insurance risks, safety, financial health (bankruptcy risk), and non-compliance with laws - part 7 on 26 September 2023
    SP52948-Waratah-Strata-Management-and-undeclared-expired-insurance-in-FY-2022
    SP52948-discrepancies-between-Solicitor-Adrian-Mueller-legal-and-insurance-payments-FY-2022-and-2023
    SP52948-disappearing-insurance-payments-between-4Aug2022-and-31Aug2022-page-1
    SP52948-disappearing-insurance-payments-between-4Aug2022-and-31Aug2022-page-2
    SP52948-disappearing-insurance-payments-between-4Aug2022-and-31Aug2022-page-3

    Waratah Strata Management silent about evidence and comments on ProductReview website
    Waratah Strata Management - One star is too much at ProductReview website
    For more references, search Waratah Strata Management in this sitemap

    Persistent refusal by Waratah Strata Management to co-operate with Police, NCAT, District Court, and Supreme Court from 1 February 2017
    Waratah Strata Management refusal to co-operate in SP52948 Police Events
    Examples of threats, intimidation, and harassment of SP52948 Lot 158 to prevent investigations of mismanagement and misappropriation of common funds
    An example of how Uniqueco Property Services ignored complaint about Mr. Moses Levitt on 1 November 2015
    Desperate attempts by Police, Waratah Strata Management, Solicitor Adrian Mueller, and BCS Strata Management to recover lost USB key with SP52948 strata files without disclosure to courts and 218 owners
    Waratah Strata Management coercing Police and Fair Trading NSW
    Waratah Strata Management refusing information about alleged ransomware attack on 11 August 2019
    Waratah Strata Management refusing information about alleged ransomware attack on 17 February 2020
    Waratah Strata Management was accessory after the event: involvement in supporting Solicitor Adrian Mueller in CTTT case SCS 12/32675
    Waratah Strata Management was accessory after the event: involvement in supporting Solicitor Adrian Mueller in CTTT case SCS 12/50460
    Waratah Strata Management ignored Lot 158 Statutory Declaration in NCAT case SC 20/33352
    SP52948-used-Unreasonable-Communications-Special-By-Law-against-Lot-158-seven-times-without-disclosure-to-NCAT-SC-20-33352

    Repetitive efforts by Waratah Strata Management to prevent access to SP52948 documents from 1 February 2017
    Waratah Strata Management preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 13 June 2017
    Waratah Strata Management preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 31 May 2019
    Waratah Strata Management preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 20 September 2019
    Waratah Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 14 November 2019 (letter sent to O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors)
    Waratah Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 8 June 2022
    Waratah Strata Management preventing access to SP52948 strata documents on 13 February 2024
    SP52948-AGM-2023-misconducts-and-risks-24Oct2023
    SP52948-AGM-2023-dubious-invoices-24Oct2023

    Repetitive efforts by Waratah Strata Management to prevent Lot 158 Motions from proper management of SP52948 complex
    SP52948 Lot 158 Motions for AGM 2017
    SP52948 Lot 158 Motions for AGM 2018
    SP52948 Lot 158 Motions for AGM 2019
    SP52948 Lot 158 amendments for Motions for AGM 2019
    SP52948 Lot 158 Motions for AGM 2020
    SP52948 Lot 158 Motions for AGM 2022
    SP52948 Lot 158 Motions for AGM 2023
    SP52948 short version of Lot 158 Motions for AGM 2023
    SP52948 Lot 158 Motions for EGM 2023 after many issues found at AGM 2023
    SP52948-Motions-by-Lot-158-AGM-1Oct2024.pdf

    Examples of how Waratah Strata Management and Uniqueco Property Services manage SP52948 common property
    SP52948-unresolved-common-property-maintenance-issues-in-Lot-158
    SP52948-continuous-delays-with-fire-and-OHS-problems
    SP52948-risks-with-fallen-trees-and-lack-of-their-proactive-maintenance
    SP52948-ongoing-problems-in-gardens
    SP52948-persistent-problems-with-parking-on-common-property
    SP52948-continuous-problems-with-smoking-and-health-hazards
    SP52948-risks-with-shopping-centre-trolleys
    SP52948-Waratah-Strata-Management-and-Uniqueco-Property-Services-repeatedly-allow-excessive-noise-and-pollution-during-renovations-that-were-not-properly-approved-at-general-meetings
    Another-discrimination-of-owners-in-SP52948-Non-compliant-Extraordinary-General-Meeting-on-27Apr2023
    BCS Strata Management and Solicitor Adrian Mueller prevented Napier & Blakeley's professional report in July 2012 from CTTT review in case SCS 12/32675 (the report cost owners $12,144.00)
    On 25 October 2015, Uniqueco Property Services was reminded about problems with maintenance in the complex and Napier & Blakely's professional report - they never replied
    On 6 October 2016, Uniqueco Property Services was reminded about problems with maintenance in the complex Napier & Blakely's professional report - they never replied
    Roof membranes on four buildings - unresolved since 2012
    Examples of photos taken during visit by Waratah Strata Management Director Robert Crosbie and Uniqueco Property Services Director Steve Carbone on 1 March 2017
    Annotated summary of problems found during joint SP52948 common property visit by Waratah Strata Management Director Robert Crosbie, Uniqueco Property Services Director Steve Carbone, and Lot 158 on 1 March 2017
    Concerns sent to Waratah Strata Management and Uniqueco Property Services about overdue Block A roof membrane repairs and leaks, and tripping hazard were ignored by them since 25 December 2018
    Concerns sent to Waratah Strata Management and Uniqueco Property Services about overdue Block A roof membrane repairs and leaks were ignored by them since 2 January 2019
    SP52948 Block B basement concrete cancer due to water leaks - not properly resolved since 2013
    SP52948 basement under four buildings with concrete cancer due to water leaks - unresolved since 2013
    SP52948 Block A foyer open wires on ceiling near elevator area - unprotected since 2017
    SP52948 Block C level 6 fire stairs - unresolved since 2018
    SP52948 Lot 158 water leaks in sunroom - unresolved since September 2020
    Garden bed walls near tennis courts repainted without rendering - 12 July 2020
    Garden bed walls poor appearance near tennis courts - 23 March 2021
    Animation of garden bed walls appearance near tennis courts that were allegedly repaired and repainted five times since 2017, without tender, without warranties, and at significant costs to owners - December 2022
    Garden bed walls near tennis courts repainted without rendering - 13 March 2023
    SP52948 louvres in basement under four buildings - unresolved since 2016
  11. Few serious legal cases related to strata and building managers, and strata complexes in general in Australia

  12. In New South Wales, perverting the course of justice carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. This offence involves obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating the course of justice or the administration of the law.

    The offence of Perverting the Course of Justice is contained in section 319 of the Crimes Act 1900 which states that a person who does any act, or makes any omission, intending in any way to pervert the course of justice, is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

    To find a person guilty of this offence the prosecution must prove each of the following matters beyond a reasonable doubt:

    • That the accused did an act or made an omission,
    • That they did so intent to pervert the course of justice.

    Under federal law, there are serious consequences for a person who has been found to forge a signature. Under Section 144.1 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995, there is a maximum penalty of ten years in jail for making a false document.

    In addition, under section 145.1, if a person knowingly uses a forged document to induce a public official to accept it as genuine, they can face up to ten years' imprisonment.

    The law says that "dishonestly obtaining a gain, dishonestly causing a loss, or dishonestly influencing the exercise of a public duty or function" carries a penalty of up to ten years' jail.

  13. In NSW, the following laws apply:

    Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 No 50 commenced on 30 November 2016

    Strata Schemes Development Regulation 2016 is enacted under the SSDA 2015, commenced on 30 November 2016

    Strata Schemes Development Act 2015

    Community Land Management Act 1989

    Community Land Development Act 1989

    Property and Stock Agents Act 2002

    Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Child Window Safety Devices) Regulation 2013