MAINTENANCE SEMINARS: SUNSHINE COAST NEXT WEEK & 4TH EXPERT LAWYER PANELIST INTRODUCED

There’s still time to register! The first stop in our Smart Strata Community Education Seminar Series is almost here, with the Sunshine Coast Maintenance Seminar happening next week. This event marks the first round in our series on Clarifying Maintenance & Improvement Obligations for common property, lot boundaries, and exclusive use areas. Today, we are also introducing our Maintenance Seminars: 4^th Expert lawyer.

Tackling one of the most debated topics in strata living we are pleased to introduce expert lawyer panelist: Jessica Cannon, Partner at Chambers Russell Lawyers who brings extensive experience and insight to the discussion.

Why Our Maintenance Seminars: 4^th Expert Lawyer Contribution Matters

Uncertainty about who must repair, maintain or upgrade parts of a strata scheme is a leading cause of disagreement and unnecessary expense. Clear legal guidance reduces risk, speeds decision-making, and helps committees make defensible, cost-effective choices. Jessica Cannon brings focused expertise in community titles law and a strong record of sector advocacy — exactly the practical legal insight committees, owners and managers need.

About Jessica Cannon – Maintenance Seminars: 4^th Expert

Jessica Cannon is a Partner at Chambers Russell Lawyers and a recognised voice in Queensland’s strata sector. She was elected a director of the Strata Community Association Queensland (SCAQ) in 2022 and has served on the SCAQ Legislation & Advocacy Committee, later taking on the Chair role.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Relations and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in January 2012. Her experience advising bodies corporate and owners on complex disputes and practical governance matters makes her a highly valuable contributor to the seminar series.

What our Maintenance Seminars: 4^th Expert will cover — practical, usable law

Jessica’s session is designed to translate legal principles into clear steps committees can use straight away. Key takeaways will include:

• Practical case studies to distinguish maintenance, repair and improvement, and why those labels change approval pathways and funding responsibility.
• How to determine whether a particular work is the responsibility of the body corporate or the lot owner, with relatable examples for balconies, boundary structures, courtyards and exclusive use areas.
• A pragmatic approach to assessing and documenting owner proposals to alter or improve common property or lots, including sensible conditions and risk controls.
• Clear pathways for cost allocation and levy recovery, and how committees can avoid common procedural and financial errors.
• Steps to build transparent, defensible records and decisions — resolutions, minutes, notices and communication that reduce the chance of dispute.

The content will be immediately applicable across small residential complexes and large mixed-use schemes alike.

Where Jessica will present & how to attend

Jessica will join our expert panel at the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast sessions with the Sunshine Coast kicking off the series next week:

• Sunshine Coast — Thu 2^nd Oct, Maroochy RSL — Register →
• 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 →

The presentation will include time for questions and practical discussion, plus an exhibitor area where attendees can meet suppliers and service providers supporting strata communities.

Meet Our Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Industry Exhibitors

Sunshine Coast Exhibitors

Gold Coast Exhibitors

Who should attend

This session is relevant to anyone involved in strata, including:

• Committee members who approve or refuse works;
• Lot owners planning alterations or improvements;
• Body corporate managers responsible for consistent scheme administration;
• Suppliers and consultants who advise or deliver services to strata schemes.

If your role involves decisions about repairs, upgrades or common property management, Jessica’s insights will be directly relevant.

What to expect — outcomes for your scheme

Attendees can expect to leave with the tools to:

• Reduce disputes by applying robust, legally-informed decision tests;
• Protect scheme finances through clearer allocation and recovery strategies;
• Improve governance through better documentation and consistent processes;
• Strengthen owner confidence by demonstrating transparent, compliant decision-making.

Secure your place today

With the Sunshine Coast seminar just around the corner, now is the time to register. Don’t miss your chance to hear from Jessica Cannon and our panel of expert lawyers as they break down one of the most misunderstood areas of strata governance.

See you in October!

Article contributed by the Smart Strata team.