Owners Corporation Conference

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As Victoria experiences a sharp rise in multi-dwelling living, from apartments and units to townhouses, the demand for professional Owners Corporation (OC) management has never been greater. Recognising this shift, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Owners Corporation Management Conference, a full-day event created specifically for this fast-growing sector of the real estate industry.

With legislative reform on the horizon and increasing complexity in managing shared properties, the conference is designed to equip OC managers and their teams with the tools, knowledge, and insights to thrive in today’s dynamic environment, and prepare for what’s next.

A Timely Sector Review – Be Heard at the Top

Opening the conference is a special address by the Minister-appointed Expert Panel leading the Review of the Owners Corporation Act.

This is a rare opportunity for OC professionals to hear directly from the Hon. Marsha Thomson, Karen Chester, and David McKenzie, and to contribute insights that may shape the future of legislation governing OC management in Victoria. The panel will share an update on the review’s progress and invite first-hand feedback from the sector on how current laws are working, or not, on the ground.

Real Issues, Practical Solutions
The program will also explore key issues and opportunities OC managers are facing, including:

Upcoming qualification and CPD reforms
Insurance challenges and risk mitigation
Practical approaches to dispute resolution within Owners Corporations

Whether you’re managing small residential blocks or complex, high-density developments, this event offers a critical chance to sharpen your compliance, grow your business capabilities, and connect with others in the field.

Bring your team and be part of shaping the future of OC management in Victoria.

Register now

Date: Friday 17 October 2025

Time: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Location

REIV HQ

617 Victoria Street, Abbotsford 3067

Price

Member Price: $165

Staff Subscriber Price: $181.50

Non-Member Price: $230

Group Discount

Book 5 or more tickets and save 20%!

Email events@reiv.com.au to take advantage of this discount.

CPD Hours: 4 CPD Hours

Questions?: Email events@reiv.com.au

Registration opens (10:30 - 10:55)

MC welcome (10:55 - 11:00)

Session 1: Navigating Complex Plans of Subdivision (11:00 - 12:00)

Legal & Practical Insights

Anton Block – Principal Lawyer, Litigation and Dispute Resolution at KCL Law
Robin McDowell – Associate Director, Manager Built Environment at Reeds Consulting
Hear from Anton and Robin as they provide expert insights to Owners Corporation legislation.

Insights with Strata Community Insurance (12:00 - 12:15)

Lunch (12:15 - 12:45)

Insights with AESG (12:50 - 1:00)

Session 2: The Expert View (1:00 - 2:00)

Review of the Owners Corporation Act

The Minister for Consumer Affairs has appointed an Expert Panel to lead the review of elements of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (the Act) and its subordinate regulations.

This review aims to assess the effectiveness of existing legislative arrangements, particularly recent amendments, in governing owners corporations and managing common property in multi-owner buildings across Victoria. The review is considering the practical impact of these laws on lot owners, owners corporations, and other relevant parties, with a view to identifying and proposing needed improvements.

The review seeks to gather real-world insights from stakeholders to inform recommendations for potential improvements to the government.

The Expert Panel of the Hon. Marsha Thomson, Karen Chester, and David McKenzie will host this exclusive session to share an update on the review and seek your direct feedback.

Insights with Urbanise (2:00 - 2:15)

Session 3: Panel (2:15 - 3:15)

Enhancing professional standards across the sector

Stephen Briffa – Managing Director at Network Pacific Group of Companies
Joanne Kantzipas – Director, Owners Corporation at CVA
Alex McCormick – Managing Director at SOCM

Conference close & prize draw (3:15 - 3:30)

Networking Drinks (3:30 - 4:30)

presenters

Panelist: The Hon. Marsha Thomson

Marsha is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, representing the electoral district of Footscray for the Labor Party from 2006 to 2018; she previously served in the Victorian Legislative Council from 1999 to 2006.

Marsha was an economic research officer, ministerial adviser, Implementation Manager with V/Line and Executive Officer of Youth Policy Development Council before being elected to the Legislative Council for Melbourne North Province in September 1999. She was Minister for Consumer Affairs 1999–2002 and Minister for Small Business 1999–2005. She was Minister for Information and Communication Technology from February 2002 and Minister for Consumer Affairs from January 2005, until 2006.

Panelist: Karen Chester

Karen has a portfolio of NED, advisory and volunteer roles. These include being a regulatory and policy advisor, non-Executive Director of Chief Executive Women, Grattan Institute Policy Committee member, Kilfinan Australia CEO mentor and LifeLine Narrm crisis support worker.

Beginning in the Hawke Government, Karen worked on economic reforms in the Prime Minister’s Department and the Treasury, ultimately being the first woman promoted to Treasury’s senior executive. In business, Karen was the inaugural CEO of Access Economics and a Global Partner at Mercer, establishing & leading Mercer’s global infrastructure advisory business.

Karen has a first-class honours degree in economics from the University of Qld and was awarded an honorary doctorate in Economics by the University in 2017. In 2023, Karen was awarded the Economics Society of Australia’s Distinguished Public Policy Fellow Award. Karen is a Graduate of the AICD.

Panelist: David McKenzie

David came to law after a successful career in mathematics and computing, working for both Government and commercial enterprises where he was a key architect of some of the largest, fastest and most secure computer systems in the world.

David is now an accredited Property Law Specialist and has established his own practice, which specialises in complex property law transactions. He represents clients involved in property litigation, owners corporation disputes, providing advice on commercial & residential leasing, sale & purchase of property & businesses, and on matters regarding building contracts and building disputes.

David has interests in history, particularly World War II air warfare and in collecting red wine but especially discussing World War II aircraft over a glass of red wine.

Panelist: Alex McCormick

After graduating from law school in 2013, Alex began his career in strata management, working with a boutique firm across Victoria and Queensland. He has managed townhouse estates, suburban apartments, high-rise towers, and prestigious Melbourne addresses, gaining valuable insight through collaborations with leading developers and builders. Now in senior leadership, Alex combines his legal background, industry expertise, and passion for community to lead SOCM with professionalism, service excellence, and genuine care.

Panelist: Joanne Kantzipas

To Joanne, the point of commercial real estate is to create relationships based on trust, knowledge and experience. Maintaining these values and her integrity at all times has awarded Joanne a highly respected standing in the industry over the last 25 years. And as Director of Owners Corporation, she continues to uphold this standard across all CVA assets. It’s her strive for excellence that is testament to the strong rapport she's built with her clients. And her understanding of property, which plays a pivotal role in achieving results that speak for themselves.

Panelist: Robin McDowell

Robin is a Licensed Surveyor and an Associate Director at Reeds Consulting. She's also a board member of the Association of Consulting Surveyors, Victoria. Robin has over 20 years of experience, working in both public and private sectors. She specialises in complex building subdivisions and associated land dealings and has been involved in the subdivision of many landmark developments in Melbourne. She regularly advises clients, OC Managers and Lawyers on the interpretation of Plans of Subdivision and Owners Corporations.

Panelist: Stephen Briffa, Managing Director, Network Pacific Group of Companies

At the helm of the Network Pacific Group of Companies is Stephen Briffa. Stephen has over 36 years’ experience in the real estate industry, 21 as a real estate agent. He spent his early years in commercial real estate and played a pivotal role in many turnkey projects such as the Australia Post Mail Delivery Centre and the Victorian Legal Aid Office Development projects, among others.

With his vision, Stephen has steered Network Pacific Strata Management from a one-man operation to one of the largest privately owned real estate corporations in Australia. His unwavering belief in providing excellent customer- focused service makes him an industry leader.

Panelist: Anton Block AM, Principal Lawyer and Head of Owners Corporation Practice, KCL Law

Anton Block AM is Principal Lawyer and Head of KCL Law’s Owners Corporation practice. With over 18 years’ experience advising thousands of owners corporations across Victoria, Anton is known for his calm, strategic, and solutions-focused approach. He regularly appears at VCAT, attends committee meetings to provide real-time advice, and works closely with managers and committees to resolve complex issues under the Owners Corporations Act. With a broader background in commercial litigation, Anton brings deep legal insight to property disputes. In 2023, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Jewish community and to the law.