GOLD COAST MAINTENANCE SEMINAR NEXT WEEK — 5TH EXPERT PANELIST INTRODUCED!

There’s still time to register! The Smart Strata Community Education Seminar Series is in full swing, with the Gold Coast Maintenance Seminar happening next week. This marks the second stop in our statewide program on Clarifying Maintenance & Improvement Obligations – Common property, lot boundaries, and exclusive use areas.

Alongside this milestone, we are delighted to announce our 5th expert lawyer panelist: Nigel Hales, Partner at Miller Harris Lawyers.

Why Nigel’s contribution is important

Questions about who is responsible for repairs, upgrades or improvements are some of the most frequent — and most disputed — issues in strata living. Misunderstandings can lead to tension, financial strain and protracted disputes. Having experienced legal experts on hand ensures committee members and owners alike walk away with practical strategies that save time, reduce risk, and support better governance.

Nigel Hales, our 5th expert panelist, brings a wealth of knowledge in community titles law together with decades of experience across property, planning, and commercial law. His involvement in this seminar ensures participants receive both the technical clarity and pragmatic advice they need.

About Nigel Hales – Our 5th Expert Panelist

Nigel is a Partner at Miller Harris Lawyers and is widely recognised as the only Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Property Law practising in Cairns. In 2007, he was awarded the highest achievement in the state’s property law specialist accreditation program — a reflection of his deep expertise and commitment to the field.

With more than 30 years’ experience, Nigel advises on:

• Property development structuring and community titles schemes.
• Conveyancing, leasing and commercial transactions.
• Planning and environmental law compliance.
• Native title and Indigenous land matters.
• Governance advice to local governments and landowners.

His diverse practice allows him to bring a solutions-focused approach, ensuring that legal advice is practical, actionable, and tailored to the realities of strata communities.

What Nigel will cover — practical law in action

Nigel’s presentation will deliver real-world insights and case studies, including:

• Maintenance vs repair vs improvement — why these distinctions matter and how they affect approval pathways and funding.
• Responsibility examples — whether the body corporate or lot owner must act, with worked examples for balconies, boundaries, and exclusive use areas.
• Owner requests — how to assess and document proposals to upgrade or improve common property with appropriate conditions and risk controls.
• Cost allocation and recovery — pathways for managing contributions fairly and lawfully.

The focus is on practical application — knowledge participants can take back to their schemes immediately.

When and where you can hear Nigel

Nigel will present at the Cairns seminar on 30 October, but the full series continues across Queensland throughout October. Join us at the location most convenient to you:

• Gold Coast — Wed 8^th Oct, People First Stadium [Red Carpark] — Register →
• Mackay — Wed 15^th Oct, Rydges Mackay Suites — Register →
• Brisbane — Wed 22^nd Oct, Broncos Leagues Club — Register →
• Cairns — Thu 30^th Oct, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino — Register →

Each event features interactive presentations, Q&A sessions, and an exhibitor showcase with leading suppliers and service providers.

Who should attend

This seminar is designed for anyone involved in strata governance, including:

• Committee members managing approvals and decisions.
• Lot owners planning improvements or seeking clarity on rights and obligations.
• Body corporate managers coordinating consistent administration across schemes.

If you’re involved in decisions about repairs, improvements or common property obligations, this content will be directly relevant.

What you’ll gain

• Minimise disputes through clear, legally informed decision tests.
• Strengthen scheme finances with defensible cost allocation and levy recovery.
• Improve governance with better documentation and records.
• Build confidence in your community by showing fair and transparent practices.

Secure your seat — Gold Coast next week

With the Gold Coast seminar only days away, now is the time to register. Join us to hear from Nigel Hales and our panel of expert lawyers as they provide clarity on one of the most misunderstood areas of strata governance.

See you next week on the Gold Coast!

Article Contributed by The Smart Strata Team.