Community Agreements | Deco Village

Wattle Way Strata

Deco-Village Community Agreements
and Code of Conduct

These agreements and codes of conduct, to be endorsed by all Deco-Village owners and their tenants, has been adopted by the Strata Council because of the uncommon nature of our strata.

The common form of “co-housing” in WA are stratas that share a small amount of common amenity, for which the Strata Titles Act provides regulation on interpersonal interactions.

The less common form of “co-housing” is a ‘socially intentional’ collective or cooperative where a very large amount of the amenity is shared. Here there is an agreed set of community norms and interpersonal intentions, often mediated by a community leadership or body of text.

Our Wattle Way Strata falls between these two forms in that it is a strata, does not have a socially intentional framework, but shares substantial common amenity.

At a minimum, our strata needs to apply the “Conduct By-laws” of the Strata Titles Act, of which the core regulatory tenet is the ‘peaceful enjoyment’ by residents within their homes and in sharing the common facilities and amenities.

The Strata Titles Act 1985 under Schedule 2 Conduct by-laws states:

2. Use of common property: An owner or occupier of a lot must — (a) use and enjoy the common property in such a manner as not unreasonably to interfere with the use and enjoyment of the common property by other owners or occupiers of lots or of their visitors; and

4. Behaviour of owners and occupiers: An owner or occupier of a lot must be adequately clothed when on common property and must not use language or behave in a manner likely to cause offence or embarrassment to an owner or occupier of another lot or to any person lawfully using common property.

As well as supporting and (if necessary) enforcing these Strata Titles Act by-laws with regards to peaceful enjoyment, the Strata’s duty includes mitigating and intervening to resolve conflicts within the strata community that are impacting this community and may do so in the future. Compared to more ‘normal’ strata developments (eg apartment building or strata complex with limited shared gardens, this duty is more significant in the Deco-Village community where the sharing of common facilities and amenities are a substantial part of living here.

Thus, the Strata Council has determined to have owners endorse agreements and a code that expands on the conduct requirements under the Strata Titles Act based on legal and socially accepted norms in our society. Attached to the Agreements document is a ‘Workplace’ Harassment and Bullying policy and procedure.

Agreements

The Deco-Village Community comprises the community owners, residents and friends of the cohousing Eco-village at 20 Wattle Way, Denmark, Western Australia. The aims of this Community include:

Pursue the vision of an ecologically sustainable co-housing eco-village;
Developing a cohesive and diverse community of owners / residents / friends, with opportunities for collaboration, innovation, socialising and celebration;
Enhance the eco-village common house, gardens and other common amenities for the enjoyment of all;
Provide inspiration and support for similar cohousing communities and ecological intentionelsewhere.
Practice community spirit, compassion, non-violent communication and conflict resolution;
Follow the spirit and the terms of the Strata Management Statement.
Sign and ascribe to a Code of Conduct that embeds respect and safety including no Sexual
Harassment or Bullying of any member, resident or visitor to the Community.

Code of Conduct

Within a Strata that aspires to be a supportive community, a shared understanding of the expectations for interpersonal interaction is a cornerstone on which community wellbeing is built. This Code of Conduct applies to all residents whether strata owners, renters or visitors to the Deco-VillageCommunity Denmark WA while undertaking any activity or role.
1. Respect for the law
All residents whether strata owners, renters and visitors to the Deco-Village Community, in common with all citizens, are under the jurisdiction of the laws of the State and the Commonwealth and are obliged to observe such laws, including provisions of the Strata Titles Act 1985 and associated regulations.
2. Respect for all persons
All residents whether strata owners, renters or visitors to the Deco-Village community commit to treat all in the community equitably, with dignity and respect. This involves, but is not limited to, the following:
• Tolerance of the views held by others which are different from your own
• Courtesy and responsiveness in dealing with others,
• Fairness in dealing with other householders, visitors and contractors undertaking works
• Making decisions that are fair to all people according to the principles of natural justice
• Not discriminating on grounds such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ability, cultural background, religious status, marital status, age or political conviction,
• Awareness and respect for cultural difference,
• Making space for alternative points of view to be expressed and considered,
• Not engaging in behaviour that might reasonably be perceived as harassment, bullying or intimidation, and
• Not engaging in conduct likely to bring discredit upon the community.
3. Integrity and Diligence
All residents whether strata owners, renters or visitors should act in an honest and conscientious manner.
This involves:
• Always acting honestly, in good faith, and in the best interest of the community
• Carrying out community decisions and policies faithfully and impartially and to a high standard
• External activities and public comment
• Exercising care for others in the community, and
• Strata Committee members have an obligation to be independent in judgement and action and to take all reasonable steps to be satisfied as to the soundness of all decisions taken by the Committee.
4. Conflict of interest
All strata committee members must declare interests which conflict, either perceived or actual, with strata company duties and activities. A conflict of interest may include, but is not limited to, an expressed personal value or belief, professional ethics, personal or professional relationships, financial or proprietary interests.
5. Confidentiality
Strata committee members acknowledge that confidential information received in the course of the exercise of official duties remains the property of the Strata Company. It is improper to disclose confidential information, or allow it to be disclosed, unless that disclosure has been authorised by the Committee or the person from whom the information is provided or is required by law. Documents and information of the Strata Company should be placed in secure locations where possible and sensitive information should not be distributed without the Committee’s and the information owner’s consent.
6. Drugs and alcohol
No use or possession of illegal drugs. No abuse of legal drugs or alcohol.
7. Environmental protection
No damage is to be inflicted on the environment in the community.
8. Grievances, complaints, and procedures
Breaches of this Code of Conduct will be addressed by the Workplace Harassment and Bullying Policy and Procedure. All residents whether strata owners, renters or resident visitors are to be familiar with this Code of Conduct and associated policies and endeavour to live by their principles.