The industry challenges continue to generate as we continue to face the management of the day to day issues in the shadow of preparing and planning the big picture. 

The continuing rapid growth of the strata and community title industry has now quite correctly be identified as one of the major challenges for government, business and the community for the next decade and longer. 

Continually this debate is being put forward in the monthly editions of Resort News and in the major business, property and lifestyle media across the nation. 

Density living in all its forms and high density holiday buildings and resorts and their key locations are a feature focus of the general news on a regular basis. 

We are all aware of these major challenges and I have previously mentioned that in the United States, with its population nearing 300 million, some 54 million people live in the equivalent of community and strata titled dwellings. One in six is a pretty impressive figure. 

As the new schemes come on line to meet the apparent insatiable demands of Australians to holiday and live permanently in areas of position, position, position, which we currently see as coastal and big city precincts demands, very real attention to the laws and regulations governing these projects need to be constantly reviewed and kept appropriately realistic in a working and living sense. 

The big picture challenge has a great deal of formulation to be undertaken, as with the big schemes, bodies corporate assume more and more responsibilities for the daily management of these major centres and suburbs. 

This challenge will require not only the development of sound laws and regulations, but a major focus on education for all sectors within the industry, especially the owners and investors who need to understand the changed circumstances and responsibilities of this type of ownership. 

As I indicated, this debate will be ongoing and I am certain will move forward with the assistance of a lot of discussion and negotiation to deliver the desired and best outcomes for all concerned. 

And it needs to, because there remain concerns in the industry that the priorities of keeping our laws progressive are slipping. The delay in getting the current dispute resolution legislation within the BCCM legislation enacted is of concern. 

As QRAMA has indicated previously, while we support the legislation and the updating of the dispute resolution matters, especially in the length of time and the cost that can be involved in the existing processes, the fundamental driver still should be that we prevent disputes from occurring. 

Our concerns now are that we may well be loosing traction on tackling these vital day to day issues of working on the methodology to stop disputes from occurring, because there is a clear understanding by all stakeholders of their rights and of the process of resolution and satisfaction for all the parties involved. 

As we all know in life, it is the little things that create the irritations and are all too often the issues that we can baulk on and get into conflict and the associated cost and time expenditure. 

Getting the little things and all the detail right is very important and we must all work together in the spirit of progress and fairness and accountability to achieve these outcomes. 

For if we still want to pursue the needs for disputes and arguments, and then the future of our industry will not be all the bright. 

It is essential that all stakeholders in community and strata title investments, owners, investors, managers, service providers and users take up the challenge of better understanding the big picture which is the future of lifestyle living not just in Queensland, but throughout Australia, especially for those seeking holiday accommodation. 

We need to have the right working conditions in place, and that is a structure of laws and regulations which are seen as fair and uncomplicated by the stakeholders. 

We at QRAMA call on all levels of Government to accept their responsibilities in driving the new legislation forward and making it work. 

There needs to be a consistent focus on getting these new living arrangements in place, so that it is not just the designers and creators of the projects know how they are going to work, but those involved in the practical day to day living and management arrangements, can also enjoy these wonderful new living opportunities, nut burdened by disputes and arguments over rules and regulations and costs. 

New legislation is now essential work in progress and as the populations demands keep rising, this now needs to be a priority. 

The other legislation for infrastructure development is important for the future economy of the State, but Government’s should not lose sight of the changing lifestyle living and holidaying arrangements, and the need to ensure that the complex requirements of these are developed with the right amount of consultation and understanding within the stakeholders so that the dispute issues are minimized. 

The industry representatives are ready to play their part in helping to make this happen.