A touch of glamour comes to Manuka Arcade

Beauty and Comfort - this is the simple philosophy that underpins every aspect of Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie, the latest stylish addition to Manuka Arcade.

Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie believe that beautiful and well fitted lingerie should provide skin soft comfort that lets you be yourself. Nothing can match the personal satisfaction that comes from confidently wearing some of the world’s most elegant and best quality lingerie.

Indulgent? Decadent? It may seem that way initially, but as owner Filomena can attest from decades of satisfied customers, once you have experienced the comfort and confidence you feel in properly fitted lingerie you will be converted for life!

Fil and the team at Stephanie’s Boutique Lingerie are widely respected as the best fitting service in Canberra and hand select a range of brands to suit all body shapes and sizes.

Why not come in today and have your life changed forever!


Make Sure You Check-in CBR!

Manuka Arcade now has a QR code for use it the general areas of the building. Coming to Manuka Arcade? We want to keep you safe - so make sure you use the QR code!

Don't forget that staff should being using the Check-In CBR app too, for all the information for businesses see the ACT Government website here.


Wondering about the tree on “The Lawns”

It seems that it will be replaced, but not just yet - see the information from Access Canberra below -


Changes to ACT Strata Law

A number of changes to ACT strata law commenced on 1 November, with others changes providing a transition period before commencement.

Decision making will change with amending rules, changing levy contributions methods and granting special use of common property all now possible by special resolutions. There are also limits on the number of proxy votes that can be held.

Owners corporations and executive committees can now meet and vote electronically on ordinary or special resolutions. Owners corporations' executive committees can also form subcommittees to manage specific issues within unit plans.

Owners corporations need to prepare a maintenance schedule to identify any regular maintenance or servicing required for common property and buildings, such as painting, cleaning, window washing etc.

All existing special privileges will lapse on 1 July 2021. Owners corporations now need to create a rule for the granting of a special privilege to use common property for a period of 3 months or more.

Owners corporations can impose reasonable conditions on the special privilege. As it is a rule, the special privilege needs to be registered so other unit owners or buyers can find out what special privileges exist within a units plan and so the owners corporation can enforce them and any conditions that may apply.

Owners corporations can now determine levy contributions via the new special resolution process, rather than an unopposed resolution. This can allow for more accurate allocation of costs.

More details of the changes can be found on the ACT Planning directorate website here.


Atrium Cleaning Commencing Soon

UPDATE: We have been advised that the internal atrium clean has been rescheduled for Wednesday the 21st of October starting at 5pm and going until late.

To protect your unit, please place a towel at the bottom of your door to prevent any water seeping through.

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Atrium cleaning has been arranged for Tuesday the 29th of September commencing at 5:30pm. Non-functioning lights in the area will also be replaced at the same time.

We are advised that the works will start at 5.30pm and they are anticipating the completion of the works on the same day. If this is not possible the contractors will finish on the following day if required.

Please exercise caution around this area while cleaning is underway.


Air-Conditioning Repairs Commencing Soon

As many owners and occupiers would be aware a number of air conditioning units mounted on the roof were damaged in the hailstorm earlier this year.

Approval has now been given by the underwriters and repairs on these units will commence on Monday 21 September.

Affected owners and occupiers will be notified by the contractors (CBC Group) when work is commencing on your particular air conditioner.

EDIT (Friday 16 October) -

We have received an updated from the contractor indicating:

11 units were contracted to be repaired because of hail damage

5 units are now operational

2 units were repaired last Wednesday / Thursday but yet to be tested and commissioned as the units were unattended

3 more units are having coil change outs next week (Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday)

In relation to the remaining unit the contractors are liaising with the owner and have organised an upgrade.


Time to connect to the NBN!

Manuka Arcade has been 'Ready to Connect' to the nbn for some time now, see our previous update.

While their website indicates that a temporary pause on the planned disconnection of most phone and internet services has been put in place because of COVID-19, nbn is now advising that the disconnection process for the old phone and internet network in this area is scheduled to begin on 9 October 2020.

To ensure that you are not disconnected you may want to act now to connect to the nbn through your provider of choice. The building is connected by Fibre to the Building technology and nbn has information on Preparing your Business and Optimising your Office for the nbn.


Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Enhanced Cleaning

We have introduced enhanced cleaning measures on high contact surfaces throughout the common areas of the Arcade.

This is not, however, a substitute for good personal hand hygiene measures. We encourage all owners, staff and visitors to continue to ensure you practice good hand hygiene and social distancing measures. For more details see the ACT Health website.


Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Everyone Matters

You may have seen the chart below from the ABC, clearly showing how the actions of each one of us matters. As shops and offices in Manuka Arcade do their bit to talking this outbreak we are asking for your help too in complying with physical distancing guidelines.

Thank you for your assistance.


Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Good Hand Hygiene

Good hand hygiene is vital as we seek to stop the spread of this virus through the community. Visitors and staff in Manuka Arcade are reminded to practice good hand hygiene to protect yourself and others in our community.

Thank you for your co-operation


Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Preventing the Spread

Visitors and staff in Manuka Arcade are reminded to exercise good hygiene practices as we seek to stop the spread of this virus through the community.

Thank you for your co-operation.


Latest Update – stairwell and flooring upgrades

We have received another update from the contractors regarding the stairwell and flooring upgrades. The updated timeline includes:

  • Friday – polish second coat, plaster infill to side of stairs (both locations), removal of timber panels and reinstate
  • Saturday – remove rest of timber and start laying floor to northern end, sand other set of stairs at the same time
  • Sunday – lay floor, continue sanding stairs apply 1st coat
  • Monday – second coat to stairs, re-install quad and skirting, placing of dado rail and stair nosing, tactile indicators – Access will be blocked again on this day.
  • Tuesday – finish dado rail, stair nosing and tactile indicators
  • Wednesday – painting to affected areas

EDIT: Painting works will start Thursday (12 December) and be complete by Friday morning. The dado rail, ceiling about the pendant lights and walls to the timber panels will have wet paint on them. While marked, please avoid contact.


Further Update – stairwell and flooring upgrades

The flooring contractor did the first landing and hallway this weekend. It is, however, not complete yet.

The contractors are coming back on Wednesday (4th December) and Thursday (5th December) to do the first set of stairs sanding & polishing so access will not be permitted for those two days. They will place a barrier or danger tape up the top of the stairs so that people can use the toilets

Once again, on Saturday and Sunday, 7th and 8th December, to do the last bit of flooring and then back again the following week to sand and polish the last set of stairs. They intend to start at 7am Saturday 7th December.


Update – stairwell and flooring upgrades

As indicated last month, see here, we are planning upgrades to the stairwells and first floor flooring.

Stairwell Upgrades

The works on the stairwells will commence on Monday 25 November.

There will be some noisy works during the day and access to one
stairwell will be closed for at least 2 days while these works are being
undertaken.  Each stairwell will be done
in turn to allow access to the first floor.

First Floor Flooring

The replacement of the timber flooring on the first floor will start on Saturday 30 November at around 12 midday starting on the Palmerston Lane end of the building.

While the aim is to have the floor down by Sunday evening this is dependent upon the condition of the sub-floor.  If the sub-floor is not level and floor leveller needs to be applied then the flooring will have to wait until the weekend after to allow the leveller time to set.  The floor can be walked on during this time.

Access to Toilets

During the works the toilers will remain accessible except for the weekend when the flooring begins. The contractor will place a barricade up as there won’t be a handrail for a couple days during the balustrade change over.


Stairwell and flooring upgrades coming

Work will be commencing soon to upgrade the stairwells and the flooring on the First Floor in accordance with the proposed Arcade refurbishment plans.

The upgrade to the stairs will involve sanding and restoring the surfaces before adding tactile indicators in accordance with current standards. The balustrades will be replaced and various other improvement undertaken.

Upstairs, the existing laminated flooring will be replaced with solid timber flooring on new underlay materials to provide an improved and longer lasting surface.

The Strata Manager will provide further information on the timeframes and access details.


Hive Nutrition joins Manuka Arcade

Stacy Morgan, an Accredited Practicing Dietitian, is now in Manuka Arcade providing individualised nutrition advice, education and support for individuals and businesses to manage health and wellbeing.

Raising her four children in a busy household, Stacy understands the need for dietetic advice that is practical and realistic. Many women struggle to find time for their own health. Pressures of balancing a family, a career, a household and life leaves little time for the person who holds it all together. YOU!

Making time to eat well is a priority in Stacy’s life and she wants to help you make it a priority in yours.


The NBN is here!

According to the NBNCo website Manuka Arcade is 'Ready to Connect'!

Using Fibre To The Building (FTTB) technology an optical fibre node has been installed within the Arcade. This allows the nbn™ access network signal to travel over a fibre optic line, to the existing network technology (telephone cabling) present in the building.

FTTB services can deliver the whole range of wholesale speeds to the fibre node in the Arcade. Your actual speeds will be affected by many factors including;

  • the cabling throughout the building,
  • how your ISP configures their network and manages traffic (cheaper ISPs tend to have more congested networks),
  • equipment quality,
  • software,
  • signal quality,
  • the nbn™ powered plan you choose,
  • the performance of your modem, Wi-Fi, and other devices in your premises.

To access the new services individual owners or occupiers will need to make their own arrangements with an internet service provider (ISP). In addition to signing up to a NBN provided plan you will need to ensure suitable technology is available within your unit, including a VDSL capable modem. Once again, your ISP should be able to assist you.

Owners and occupiers will not need to change to the NBN immediately if you do not want to. The disconnection date for the old phone and internet network in this area has not been confirmed yet. This is likely to be 12 - 18 months away.


External Painting is coming along …

You would have seen the scaffolding - now see what was underneath it in Palmerston Lane!

New paintwork unveiled on Palmerston Lane façade

There is still more to be done but it is coming along nicely! The critical exterior of the building is being protected and the 'face lift' looks good on the 'old lady'!


Stairwell Doors

As owners, occupiers and visitors will have noticed we have new doors on the stairwells with the old roller shutters now being removed.

New door at Franklin Street stairwell

The new doors have a 'hold open' feature on one side with the other side featuring a 'panic bar' to allow egress in the event of an emergency should the doors be locked. All owners and occupiers are asked to ensure that only the side with the 'hold open' feature is left open to avoid damage to the doors.


Painting of Arcade Exterior

The Executive Committee is very pleased to be able to confirm that Higgins Coatings has been engaged to undertake the very involved task of re-painting the exterior of the Arcade. We anticipate that work will commence in early February.

With lead based paint being found and the substrate being in poor condition in many places this is a complicated project with the experience and expertise of Higgins Coatings being a key factor in their engagement.

While the aim will be to keep disruption to a minimum there will undoubtedly be some inconvenience caused by the extensive scaffolding which will be required to gain access to all parts of the building exterior.

Any owner or occupier with questions about the proposals should contact our strata manager – L J Hooker Strata ACT.