How we organise ourselves
The Commons Hobart is a medium density residential apartment building, established under the Strata Titles Act, Tasmania. We have 30 residential apartments and two commercial tenancies - each of these Lots are owned by individuals. The Body Corporate comprises all of these owners. It is the formal entity which owns and is responsible for the common areas, the shared facilities and our generous shared spaces. Common areas include all of Level 7, the basement and our pocket park on the ground floor.
Individual apartments and Lots may be advertised and sold by their owners in the public marketplace, using standard marketing channels.
We have a management committee - created as per the Strata Titles Act (we call it the Commons Committee) - and our own set of By-Laws. The committee is an elected group of Lot owners, which meets regularly to discuss issues affecting the building and our community, and to drive forward the community's vision. We use an external strata manager to handle many of the day-to-day operational issues such as contract management and service visits.
As a community, we aim for a collaborative approach to problem-solving and deciding our future directions. Our preference is to achieve consensus where possible.
New residents and owners are made welcome via our community's online Slack forum and are invited to join any of our active Working Groups or teams which interest them. Our Working Groups have Terms of Reference to guide their activities, while our teams are more casual and dynamic.
Current active Working Groups and teams include:
News and information are shared via our Slack forum, which all residents and owners can participate in. The Commons Committee produces a community newsletter every few months.
Learning from others
The Commons has become a member of the national Owners Corporation Network. Here is how they describe themselves:
"The Owners Corporation Network of Australia Limited (OCN) is the independent peak consumer body representing residential strata and community title owners and residents. As such, OCN is uniquely positioned to understand the needs and constraints within this unique housing sector, as well as to advise on the potential impacts that legislation may have on planning, development, and day-to-day operational outcomes. OCN are experts in residential strata, hence our comments relate to what our members are seeking.
OCN strives to create a better future for residential and community living and ownership. We support the transition to resilient, empowered communities living in climate ready, defect-free buildings, including solar, e-mobility and electric vehicle charging".
Our membership of OCN will enable the Commons Comittee to draw on the expertise of both OCN's staff and the many member organisations, as we develop our own skills in managing the formal side of our community.
Individual apartments and Lots may be advertised and sold by their owners in the public marketplace, using standard marketing channels.
We have a management committee - created as per the Strata Titles Act (we call it the Commons Committee) - and our own set of By-Laws. The committee is an elected group of Lot owners, which meets regularly to discuss issues affecting the building and our community, and to drive forward the community's vision. We use an external strata manager to handle many of the day-to-day operational issues such as contract management and service visits.
As a community, we aim for a collaborative approach to problem-solving and deciding our future directions. Our preference is to achieve consensus where possible.
New residents and owners are made welcome via our community's online Slack forum and are invited to join any of our active Working Groups or teams which interest them. Our Working Groups have Terms of Reference to guide their activities, while our teams are more casual and dynamic.
Current active Working Groups and teams include:
- Gardens and Greenery
- Sustainable Transport.
- Waste Minimisation
- Green Wall
- Vegie patch.
News and information are shared via our Slack forum, which all residents and owners can participate in. The Commons Committee produces a community newsletter every few months.
Learning from others
The Commons has become a member of the national Owners Corporation Network. Here is how they describe themselves:
"The Owners Corporation Network of Australia Limited (OCN) is the independent peak consumer body representing residential strata and community title owners and residents. As such, OCN is uniquely positioned to understand the needs and constraints within this unique housing sector, as well as to advise on the potential impacts that legislation may have on planning, development, and day-to-day operational outcomes. OCN are experts in residential strata, hence our comments relate to what our members are seeking.
OCN strives to create a better future for residential and community living and ownership. We support the transition to resilient, empowered communities living in climate ready, defect-free buildings, including solar, e-mobility and electric vehicle charging".
Our membership of OCN will enable the Commons Comittee to draw on the expertise of both OCN's staff and the many member organisations, as we develop our own skills in managing the formal side of our community.
Vision and values
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The community has developed a shared Vision and Values statement to guide our decisions on building a vibrant and sustainable life in the city. Please read the statement to find out how we began and who we want to be.
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Covid-19 safety plan
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community developed a COVID-19 Safety Plan to provide guidance to owners and residents on safe personal and community practices. It is based on the current situation in Tasmania and is updated as conditions and regulations change.
| covid-19_safety_plan_thecommons_9january2022.pdf |