Multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests: why strata energy decisions stall

Competing priorities in strata

Strata buildings bring together a diverse mix of owners, tenants, committees, and service providers, each with their own set of priorities. Owners often push to keep levies as low as possible, focusing on short-term financial relief. Tenants usually prioritise comfort and convenience, requesting better air conditioning, lighting, or facilities. Committees tend to look at compliance, transparency, and the long-term health of the building. Service providers, on the other hand, emphasise operational efficiency and practicality. While each perspective is valid, together they create friction that makes energy decisions far more complex than they should be. 

Why this slows progress

Even straightforward upgrades like switching to LED lighting or optimising HVAC systems can become contentious. Owners may hesitate to approve capital expenditure, despite the promise of long-term savings. Tenants may demand upgrades that improve comfort but increase running costs. Committees can find it hard to reach agreement, with debates dragging on for months. Strata managers are left in the middle, balancing competing demands without a clear way forward. 

When decisions stall, the impact is immediate. Inefficient systems remain in place, bills continue to rise, and opportunities to secure savings are lost. Over time, the lack of progress can create frustration within the community, with owners questioning why improvements aren’t being made and tenants complaining about comfort levels. Managers end up shouldering the stress, handling complaints without being able to deliver solutions. 

The bigger picture 

Conflicting interests don’t just hold back upgrades. They also complicate procurement processes, contract renewals, and the adoption of new technologies such as solar panels, embedded networks, or EV charging stations. Without a shared vision, committees risk wasting valuable time debating instead of acting. In the meantime, rising energy costs keep eating into budgets, levies increase, and the building misses opportunities to become more efficient and sustainable. 

How SES can help 

This is where Strata Energy Services (SES) provides real value. By delivering independent reporting, return-on-investment modelling, and market expertise, SES equips committees with the clarity they need to move past conflicting interests. Their transparent, data-driven approach gives managers evidence to present clear options, helping stakeholders align around the facts. With SES’s support, debate turns into action, and energy strategies can finally move forward to deliver savings and long-term benefits for everyone.