Short answer
An owner submits a motion by giving it to the secretary (or strata manager) in writing before the meeting notice goes out, so it can be placed on the agenda. Any owner entitled to vote can put up a motion for a general meeting.
How to submit one
- Write it as a clear proposal — start with “That the owners corporation…” and state exactly what you want decided, so it can be acted on if it passes.
- Give it to whoever prepares the notice (the secretary, or the strata manager) in writing, before the agenda is finalised.
- Get the timing right. The motion has to be in hand before notice goes out — a motion that arrives after the agenda is set generally has to wait for the next meeting.
Once accepted, the motion goes on the agenda and every owner sees it in the notice before they vote.
Wording it so it works
A motion only does something if it’s specific. Say who does what, and — where money is involved — how much and from which fund. If the motion needs a higher threshold to pass (for example a special resolution for a by-law change), it’s worth flagging that so owners understand what level of support it needs. A vague or open-ended motion is hard to enforce even after it passes.
Getting a motion onto the agenda without a manager
Turning a rough request into a clean, enforceable motion — and getting it into the notice before the deadline — is a common trip-up for self-managed committees. Straita helps draft the motion clearly, places it on the AGM agenda, and keeps it inside the notice window, so an owner’s proposal is properly put to the meeting.
Primary sources
- Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) — motions, agenda and meeting notice (Schedule 1 covers meeting procedure).
- NSW Government — Strata schemes (Fair Trading) — strata meetings and motions.