Re: Washing hung on balconies in strata buildings (from C. Taylor, Beverley Park, May 26). Who's responsible?
Kogarah Council deemed through their planning and development approvals that open space around buildings didn't benefit residents.
Strata buildings in the 1990s were butted up to each other (see Premier Street), no space for clothes hoists.
Earlier constructions from the 1970s (see Gladstone Street) have clothes hoists, and open space. So with no outdoor clothes-drying area, the choice is either balcony or dryer. Another undesirable design feature is that recent buildings have no outside ventilation from the hot and wet areas in a strata unit — kitchen, bathroom(s) and laundry. Extractor fans and dryers are needed, using more power.
Many Kogarah residents come from other countries where it's usual to dry clothes on a balcony or any line strung between two points.
The Strata Management Act permits hanging washing on balconies, on the condition the washing is not visible from the street. Don't blame the strata agents/managers of strata plans. Most only do what they're told by the owners.
If the owners' corporation and executive committee don't enforce the rules for a strata complex then washing is draped on balconies. And so we come full circle. Residents are simply adapting to their environment.
Terry Scott, Kogarah