New resident’s association

The battle against short-stay apartments in residential buildings is set to go state-wide with the launch of a new association this month.

To be known as “We Live Here”, the association will be formed at a meeting at the Medibank building in Bourke St, Docklands on Monday, December 14.

We Live Here is the brainchild of the Watergate tower owners’ corporation (OC), which has been leading the fight against short-stays with various legal actions since 2012.

OC chair Barbara Francis said the idea stemmed from feedback received from residents and OC’s across Melbourne keen to join the fight.

She said a new incorporated association would be formed to represent the interests of strata-titled residents on a range of matters.

“Although this campaign has originated from Watergate’s ongoing efforts to regulate short-stay apartments, the main purpose is to encourage other like-minded residents to join together to have our voices heard,” she said.

The association aims to give a voice to owners and occupiers of residential apartment buildings and to achieve legislative, planning and regulatory changes.

The group aims to effect change in a number of areas including:

• Protecting the rights of owners and occupiers;
• Maintaining residential apartment buildings for long-term residential accommodation;
• Enhancing the sense of community in residential buildings; and
• Supporting owners and residents of apartment buildings on issues affecting apartment living.

The first meeting will be held on December 14 from 5.30pm (for registration) on level 12 at 720 Bourke St, Docklands.

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