Since New South Wales pioneered the world’s very first strata title framework in 1961, there have been four major generations of the overarching strata legislation, supplemented by dozens of smaller, ad-hoc amendment acts over the decades.

The Cameron family as founding members of the strata industry have been at the forefront of the industry. The Doug Cameron accountancy practice managed many Company Title schemes since 1957. With the advent of the strata industry Doug’s brothers Don then Alan opened Strata Management business managing both Company Title schemes and the newly created Strata Title schemes.

Rather than constant minor rewrites of the Strata legislation, the NSW Government typically allows a framework to run for about 15 to 20 years before introducing sweeping, root-and-branch overhauls to adapt to modern apartment living.

The Four Major Legislative Generations

1. The Blueprint (1961) — Conveyancing (Strata Titles) Act 1961

This was the historic foundation. For the first time globally, it allowed people to legally own a horizontal “slice” of air/property in a multi-story building outright, while sharing ownership of common areas. The first-ever strata plan was approved under this act in Burwood, Sydney, in July 1961.

2. The Separation (1973) — Strata Titles Act 1973

As apartment developments grew more complex, the 1961 framework became too basic. The 1973 Act completely separated the development side (subdivision and creating the lots) from the management side, creating a more robust framework for banks to secure mortgages.

3. The Management Era (1996) — Strata Schemes Management Act 1996

By the 1990s, the high-density boom was in full swing. The government split the law entirely: development rules stayed in one place, and everyday building management got its own dedicated framework under the SSMA 1996. This era introduced modern concepts like formal budget forecasting and dispute resolution through a tribunal.

4. The Modern Era (2015) — Strata Schemes Management Act 2015

The current framework. It modernized proxy voting to stop “proxy farming,” introduced a 2% building defect bond for developers, and allowed for the collective sale or renewal of a building with a 75% majority vote (instead of requiring 100% unanimity).

Recent Multi-Phase Amendments

While the 2015 Act remains the current foundational law, it has undergone major rolling “revisions” without changing its name. Most notably, a massive package of reforms—the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act—was passed, rolling out across several key phases:

• Late 2023: Strengthened strata renewal processes and cracked down on proxy voting loopholes.
• February & July 2025: Increased enforcement powers for NSW Fair Trading to audit building maintenance, and streamlined rules for minor apartment renovations.
• April 2026: Mandated strict new government-standard forms for 10-year Capital Works Funds and forced developers to independently certify initial maintenance schedules before building handovers.

So, while there have been four entirely separate acts governing strata since 1961, the law is effectively revised or amended every few years to keep up with the continuous growth of vertical living in NSW.

Cameron Family History in Strata

The Cameron family holds a unique and foundational place in the history of the New South Wales strata industry. Through their business, Strata Real Estate Services (originally tracing its roots back to a family property business started in 1957), they are recognized as part of the founding generation of the modern strata management sector.

Their collective history and distinct contributions shape their legacy in NSW strata:

The Pioneering Legacy: Don, Alan, and Doug Cameron

The elder generations of the Cameron family were instrumental in establishing the professionalized strata sector when the concept of vertical “slice of air” property ownership was brand new to the world in the 1960s and 1970s.

• The Founding Association: The family is highly regarded for being central to the creation of the inaugural strata industry association in NSW (which has evolved over the decades into what is known today as the Strata Community Association, or SCA).
• Setting the Standards: Operating under early company names like A.A. Cameron Unit Management, they helped transition strata from an experimental concept under the 1961 legislation into an organized, heavily regulated corporate property management industry through the 1970s and 1980s.

Moving Into the Modern Era: Murray Cameron

Murray Cameron represents the continuation of this generational legacy, directing the family’s long-standing strata operations into the 21st century.

• Industry Leadership: As the long-time owner and operator of Strata Real Estate Services, Murray has managed a vast portfolio of schemes across Sydney, utilizing specialized industry software like StrataSoft to modernize day-to-day operations.
• Education and Advocacy: Beyond managing buildings, Murray has served as a prominent educator in the sector, actively lecturing on strata management at TAFE NSW and speaking at major industry forums. His particular expertise includes navigating the complex legalities surrounding “serviced apartment accommodation” within residential frameworks.