The building management environment across Sydney continues to evolve in 2026.
For owners corporations and strata committees in the CBD, Parramatta, North Sydney and the Inner West, regulatory expectations are increasing and operational standards are becoming more structured.
With the April 2026 NSW strata law reforms, greater emphasis has been placed on transparency, safety compliance and professional accountability. For facilities management providers, this reinforces the importance of clear processes, documented systems and measurable performance.
At BMA (Building Management Australia), we operate purely as a facilities management company. Our focus is on technical oversight, compliance coordination, contractor management and long-term asset performance — not property sales. Over the past year, we have worked closely with our clients to ensure their buildings are aligned with the new requirements while maintaining operational efficiency and budget control.
Greater Transparency Under the 2026 Reforms
One of the key updates introduced this year is the strengthened requirement for disclosure of conflicts of interest and financial arrangements with contractors or service providers.
The objective of the reform is straightforward: clarity around financial relationships and decision-making processes.
BMA has long operated under a clear disclosure framework. Contractor selection is based on performance history, compliance capability, pricing transparency and service reliability. Any financial arrangements are documented and disclosed in accordance with legislative requirements.
For strata committees, this means greater visibility over how decisions are made and how maintenance budgets are allocated.
Fire Safety Compliance: Structured and Ongoing
Fire safety compliance remains a critical responsibility for all strata schemes. Under AS 1851-2012 and updated council enforcement practices, fire safety is managed as an ongoing program rather than a once-a-year administrative task.
This includes:
- Scheduled monthly and quarterly inspections.
- Maintenance of fire doors, hydrants, extinguishers and detection systems.
- Accurate documentation supporting the Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS).
Councils, including the City of Sydney and North Sydney, are maintaining active audit programs. For owners corporations, consistent documentation and structured servicing schedules are essential.
BMA’s compliance framework uses digital tracking systems to schedule servicing, store certificates and provide clear audit trails. This ensures that documentation is accessible, current and aligned with regulatory expectations — reducing administrative stress for committees.
Proactive Facilities Management
In 2026, effective facilities management is increasingly proactive rather than reactive.
Through smart building monitoring and structured preventative maintenance programs, BMA assists buildings in identifying minor issues before they escalate into larger capital events. Monitoring mechanical systems, pumps, plant rooms and core infrastructure allows for timely servicing and better forecasting of future expenditure.
This approach supports:
- Reduced unexpected breakdowns.
- Smoother budgeting.
- Lower long-term maintenance volatility.
Rather than responding to emergencies, the focus is on structured asset lifecycle planning.
Preparing Buildings for EV Infrastructure
Electric vehicle adoption across Sydney continues to increase, prompting many strata schemes to consider EV charging infrastructure.
Retrofitting existing buildings presents technical considerations, particularly around available electrical capacity and load management.
BMA manages the full implementation process, including:
- Feasibility assessments.
- Coordination with energy providers.
- Load balancing system design.
- Installation oversight and billing configuration.
Our proactive integration approach was recognised with a City of Sydney award, reflecting our structured and forward-thinking adoption of EV infrastructure within existing strata environments.
The objective is to provide future readiness while protecting overall building electrical performance and fairness for all residents.
The Evolving Role of Facilities Management
Modern high-rise buildings require technical coordination, compliance oversight and long-term asset planning. The role of a facilities manager today includes:
- Regulatory compliance management.
- Contractor oversight and procurement transparency.
- Risk mitigation and documentation control.
- Sustainability and energy efficiency planning.
At BMA, we focus on practical improvements that support asset stability — including NABERS optimisation, structured preventative maintenance and risk-aware operational planning.
The goal is steady performance, not short-term optics.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 reforms reinforce a broader trend: building management is becoming more structured, transparent and technically driven.
For owners corporations, the priority is partnering with a facilities management company that understands compliance requirements, implements documented systems and maintains open communication.
BMA (Building Management Australia) combines local experience with modern facilities management systems to deliver practical, compliant and future-ready building operations across Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed under the April 2026 strata reforms?
The thrust is transparency and accountability — notably strengthened disclosure of conflicts of interest and financial arrangements with contractors and service providers, continuing the staged reform program NSW has been rolling out since mid-2025. For committees, the practical effect is clearer visibility over how decisions are made and where the maintenance budget goes.
What do the reforms mean for our building’s contractors?
Financial relationships between managers and contractors must be documented and disclosed, so contractor selection needs a defensible basis — performance history, compliance capability and transparent pricing rather than undisclosed arrangements. A manager already operating that way has nothing to change.
Is fire safety really a monthly job?
Under AS 1851-2012, yes — fire systems run on scheduled monthly, quarterly and annual servicing, not a single yearly check. The Annual Fire Safety Statement is the end product of that year-round program, and councils’ active audit programs mean the documentation behind it has to be continuous and current.
What’s the difference between facilities management and strata management?
The strata manager administers the owners corporation — levies, meetings, insurance, governance. A facilities management company like BMA runs the building itself: compliance, contractors, maintenance, asset performance. BMA does only the latter — no strata agency, no property sales — which keeps the oversight independent.
Is Your Building Ready for the New Standard?
Building Management Australia is a Sydney building management firm — not a strata agent. Documented systems, disclosed relationships, structured fire safety programs, proactive maintenance and EV readiness are how we already operate — aligned with the 2026 reforms, alongside your strata manager.
If your building’s management needs to meet the new expectations, request a proposal at bmaus.com.au or email Andrew directly at andrew@bmaus.com.au.
About the Author
Andrew Veron is the founder of Building Management Australia (BMA), an independent Sydney building management firm established in 1995. BMA is a building management company — not a strata agent — providing on-site and visiting building management, facilities management, concierge, cleaning and valet services to residential, commercial and mixed-use properties. Over the past 30 years, Andrew and the BMA team have managed buildings across the Eastern Suburbs, North Sydney, Inner Sydney, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, with assets currently valued in excess of $3 billion under management. Because BMA is independent of any strata management firm, committees receive unbiased advice and transparent contractor relationships. Reach Andrew at andrew@bmaus.com.au or bmaus.com.au.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. The 2026 strata reforms are commencing in stages and requirements continue to change; owners corporations should confirm current obligations with NSW Fair Trading or a qualified adviser.
