The Bowen Place Body Corporate Committee has the general responsibility to maintain, manage and control the common property for the benefit of the owners. It is made up of three executive positions – being the Chairperson, the Secretary and the Treasurer – and a number of Ordinary Committee Members. Being a member of the Committee can be somewhat of a thankless task at times. Most members also have full-time jobs and generously donate their time to help make Bowen Place a pleasant place to live, now and in to the future.

All members have the best interests of the community at heart and ask that fair consideration and understanding be given to those in these roles. The Executive roles carry a surprisingly hefty workload that continues throughout the year, particularly when there are several large projects to be rolled out, as is the case for 2019/2020. As such, we ask that proper professional procedures be followed when engaging with the committee at all times.

Conversely, committee members need to set the benchmark of behaviour in the building. The saying, “the standard we walk past is the standard we accept” is particularly applicable to members of the Bowen Place committee. If you see something, act upon it. Whether it is as simple as small items of rubbish, a storeroom light left on or any number of situations you encounter, take the initiative and rectify it. You should also demonstrate by example the  standard we as a community can expect when it comes to abiding by the bylaws of Bowen Place, particularly noise from renovations and parties.

The BPBC has recently employed the services of Strata Management Group. Their website provides several useful links for owners to make submissions and requests regarding day to day maintenance items. Over time, we hope this will become the first and most efficient point of call when you require any of the following resources:

• Air Conditioner Request Form
• Maintenance Request Form
• Pet Request Form
• Update Roll Details Form
• Request For Body Corporate Information
• Disclosure Statement Request Form
• Information Certificate Request Form
• Certificate of Currency Request
• Reimbursement Claim Form
• Arrears and Discount Request Form
•Payment Plan Request Form
• Insurance Claims Process
• How To Read A Levy Notice
• By Law Enforcement Process

All of these forms can be viewed by clicking here and are simply filled out and submitted online.

Owners are encouraged to nominate themselves or others to join the committee in any of the roles available. New owners are particularly welcomed, as a fresh set of eyes and suggestions often gives a committee a different approach to living at Bowen Place. Nominations are accepted by completing the form that will be sent out prior to the next Annual General Meeting. Opportunities also exist throughout the year for people willing to help out in a casual non-committee position. Examples would be helping out with working bees in the garden or being available through the day to allow entry to the building for trades that are performing regular maintenance tasks. Maintaining a genuine sense of community is a priority for BPBC and we encourage everyone to be involved in fostering this.

For your reference, the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management provide a guide to community living in Queensland. This publication is a general guide to those who own a lot in a community titles scheme or are considering buying into a community titles scheme. It provides a broad overview of community living and the role of the body corporate. You can download the document by clicking here.

Your Committee Members for 2020/2021 are:

Judith Jensen – Chairperson
Angela Morrisby – Secretary
Denis O’Sullivan – Treasurer

Tina Miller
Monica Julius
Shane Harkin
John Chambers

A change of residency – prior to moving out or in, notice must be given to the Bowen Place Body Corporate at least 72 hours prior to the date of the move. A notice will then be placed in the lift advising other residents of the upcoming use of the lift to minimise inconvenience to them.

When moving anything other than small hand held items in the lift, the protective curtains MUST BE USED. By giving a minimum of 2 days notice, you can arrange for the curtains to be delivered to the utility cupboard on your floor by contacting our Building Manager, Glenn Hall, via email –  hallmrkps@gmail.com

No items are to be put in the lift without the protective curtains being in place and be aware that the CEILING OF THE LIFT DOES NOT OPEN. By attempting to open the ceiling you will cause an automatic shutdown requiring a site visit from a technician. This call out will be charged to you.

Please instruct your removalist that movement of all items must be via the LG1 side entrance. Be aware that any damage caused will be at cost to the person moving in or out. Removal vans can park at the LG1 entrance provided access is maintained to the carparks and for a maximum of 2 hours.

We have a wide range of ages living in Bowen Place and ask for consideration in keeping music and tv volumes to a reasonable level at all times and be aware that noise travels right throughout the building. If you plan on having a party, be courteous to your neighbours and let them know in advance. Persons leaving or returning late at night or early in the morning should do so with minimum noise.

Your visitors behaviour is your responsibility and anything thrown from the balconies will not be tolerated. Cigarette ash and butts in particular must not be thrown from balconies as this is a serious fire hazard to the apartments below. No items should be placed, or persons perched, on the balconies for obvious safety reasons.

The personal use of power tools and the like are controlled by the same restrictions as any other professional trades or renovation work. They are not to be used outside the hours of 7:30am and 4:30 pm or on weekends or public holidays.

If you would like to make a formal complaint regarding noise or other matters, you can download the official form here. The completed forms can then be sent to secretary@bowenplace.com.au. Be aware that you will need to cite the specific by-law that you believe has been contravened. Often, situations that have impacted upon owners and tenants can be resolved amicably by simply talking to one another and making the other party aware that there is an issue.

Security is an important issue and all residents should be conscious of keeping the building secure. This can be done by making sure that all doors are closed as you enter or leave the premises. This includes your garage, storeroom and the LG1 and LG2 side access doors. It is your responsibility to advise any contractor or removalist you engage who may be using this access. Recent instances of chocked open doors left unchecked meant that the LG1 door was open all night.

Please don’t allow anyone into the building unless you know who they are or if they can identify who they are visiting. This can be an awkward situation, but simply apologise and inform them that it is the building policy that prevents you letting them in.

Each unit should have 3 numbered digital swipe tags for the external entry points of the building. These tag numbers are kept in the key registry by the Body Corporate and it is important that you notify the committee if you lose a tag so records can be kept up to date. Replacement or additional keys are available for a refundable amount of $55. If you require a replacement tag, it is important to have the serial numbers of the remaining tags on hand. This will allow us to identify the missing tag serial number and deactivate it.

Security cameras are located around the building. Should you have a security issue, such as a break-in to a garage or storeroom, notify the committee and they will be able to review the footage to help in the investigation.

Each unit has an allocated garage and storeroom. Leaving garage doors open invites opportunistic theft, so it is important that these rooms are always closed and locked when unattended. Do not rely on an automatic garage door closer as a security measure. These can be opened relatively easily by using the emergency release cord. The use of a padlock or other secondary lock system is strongly advised. Hazardous or flammable goods, food items or perishables are not to be kept in the storerooms.

Bowen Place is fortunate to have large open garden areas at the front and rear of the property that are available to be used for entertaining by residents. If you would like to utilise one of these areas a written request to the BPBC is required 30 days prior. Approval will be granted upon acceptance of certain noise, numbers and behavioural restrictions. You can submit your request via email to secretary@bowenplace.com.au

Before any work can take place, approval of plans must be sought from the BPBC. It is strongly suggested that you arrange a meeting with the committee well in advance to get advice on what may or may not be realistic. Many apartments have been previously renovated so the committee provides a wealth of experience on the process. Taking advantage of this knowledge may help cut-off most issues before they arise. Any unauthorised work will result in an immediate ‘stop work’ order.

A detailed ‘Guidelines for Renovations’ document is available for download here. Owners that are about to commence renovations to their apartment need to read and accept all the conditions contained within the document and acknowledge such by signing and returning to the Body Corporate.

Next to the lift on each floor you will find a fire evacuation plan. Everyone should familiarise themselves with what to do in case of a fire and understanding the Fire Evacuation Plan is the place to start. On the diagram you will see the location of the fire stairs and the position and type of extinguishers available. Remember, your first priority is to alert people and evacuate the immediate area. The assembly Point is also shown on the Plan and it is important for everyone to make their way to this point to allow the Fire Warden to account for all occupants. If you require assistance, please immediately contact a neighbour or committee member or make your way to the fire stairs and remain there until someone can assist you down the stairs. Under no circumstance should the lift be used.

A copy of the Fire Evacuation Plan can be downloaded here.

If you have noticed a maintenance issue around the property that requires attention you can alert the committee to this by completing and submitting this form.

Please give a detailed explanation of what the issue is as well as the precise location. You are also able to upload images to assist in making clear what the problem is.

If you require after-hours or emergency electrical work in your apartment, we recommend Optus Electrical. Their contact details are as follows:

Website: www.optuselectrical.com.au

Ph: 0408 889 348

Email: info@optuselectrical.com.au

If you require after-hours or emergency plumbing work in your apartment, we recommend Bell Plumbing. Their contact details are as follows:

Website: www.bellplumbing.com.au

Ph: (07) 3354 3300

Email: reception@bellplumbing.com.au

If you require after-hours or emergency glazing work in your apartment, we recommend O’Briens Glass. Their contact details are as follows:

Website: www.obrienglass.com.au

Ph: 13 13 16 or 1800 018 886

When moving anything other than small hand held items in the lift, the protective curtains MUST BE USED. By giving a minimum of 2 days notice, you can arrange for the curtains to be delivered to the utility cupboard on your floor by contacting our Building Manager, Glenn Hall, via email –  hallmrkps@gmail.com

Be aware that at this point in time the lift ceiling DOES NOT OPEN. Attempting to open the ceiling panels will cause damage that you will be responsible for. If you have items that are too large for the lift, they may be taken up the internal fire escape stairs. If this is not practical, we recommend the services of OzHoist who are able to lift items such as lounges or building materials up the outside of the building.

Please avoid blocking the door open. Instead, use the ‘door open’ button on the lift control panel. If a breakdown should occur whilst in the lift, you will find an emergency call button on the control panel. Pressing this will allow you to make contact with someone who can arrange assistance. If you notice the lift is not functioning properly or has become stuck, please notify a committee member.

Internal dimensions of the lift are 160cm deep by 115cm wide and 223cm high with a maximum diagonal measurement for long thin items such as curtain rods of 289cm. Door dimensions are 81cm x 203cm.

All units have an allocated lock-up garage and there is street parking available. Be aware that Bowen Place is within the Brisbane City Council Central Traffic Area meaning that cars without a permit are restricted to 2 hours. This limit applies between the hours of 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to midday on Saturday. More information can be found on the BCC website.

Residents can find more information and apply for permits for themselves and 2 visitors by visiting the Parking Permits section of the Council website.

Please note that the grass terrace on the Moray Street entrance is not to be used for parking by owners or visitors.

Small pets are generally allowed in Bowen Place but require the written permission from the Body Corporate. It is the pet owners responsibility to ensure they have pest control treatments done on a minimum of an annual basis and that noise does not impact on the other residents. A request for approval of a pet can be submitted online by completing this form.