22 Jul The Enduring Partnership Behind One of Melbourne’s Longest-Running Strata Management Relationships
With over 50 years of meetings, maintenance, and dispute resolution, the partnership between 240 Domain Road, South Yarra, and Turnbull Cook is one of Victoria’s longest-standing strata management relationships.
Originally established as a real estate business, Turnbull Cook seized the opportunity to pioneer Melbourne’s burgeoning strata management industry in the late 1960s. The city’s expanding residential unit developments and rising population density created a demand for professional management, and it was during this period that Turnbull Cook formed its enduring partnership with 240 Domain Road—a relationship that has stood the test of time.
Kunal Parekh, Chief Executive Officer of Turnbull Cook since 2019, explains that while the role of a strata manager has remained fundamentally the same since the introduction of the Victorian Strata Titles Act in 1967, the scale and complexity of properties have evolved significantly.
“The responsibilities of a strata manager are constantly evolving. From the materials and construction methods used in new developments to the rising value of assets under management, the role has expanded. Today, shared services like elevators, solar panels, telecom towers, and modern amenities such as gyms and ground-floor retail spaces have changed the landscape. None of these existed 50 years ago,” says Parekh.
The challenges facing owners’ corporations and strata managers have also shifted over the decades.
“Issues like pet disputes have always been a concern, but today, factors such as short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, rising insurance costs, and increasing service expenses are major considerations for property owners. Our goal at 240 Domain—and across all our managed properties—is to simplify the experience and support our clients however we can,” Parekh adds.
A Legacy of Trust and Transparency
John Purdue, who previously served as a strata manager and owner of Turnbull Cook recalls 240 Domain as one of the first buildings he managed.
“It was one of those wonderful properties where things ran smoothly—no major disputes, no ongoing dramas,” says Purdue. “I could tell you countless stories about other buildings, but 240 Domain was always a pleasure to manage.”
Purdue emphasises that trust and transparency are the foundation of successful strata management relationships.
“Unless you build a genuine and honest partnership—where the manager and the committee work collaboratively for the benefit of owners—the relationship won’t last. Turnbull Cook has always benefited from stable owners’ corporations and clear communication, which allows for long-term, trusting relationships to develop.”
The Residents’ Perspective
Ben Hepworth, a resident of 240 Domain since 2004 and chairman of the building’s owners’ corporation for more than a decade, highlights communication as a key factor in Turnbull Cook’s longevity.
“Strata management can be a thankless task. Managers receive calls at all hours with concerns, complaints, and urgent matters. They also have to coordinate with tenants and agents. That’s why the character, responsiveness, and efficiency of the individual manager make all the difference,” says Hepworth.
He also underscores the importance of continuity and collaboration.
“Some buildings assume the grass is greener elsewhere and seek alternative management, but I’ve always believed that if we couldn’t make it work, we weren’t doing enough. Changing management is a complex and demanding process—energy is better spent strengthening an existing partnership. In strata management, you truly get what you pay for.”
A Relationship Built to Last
With an average 20% turnover in building occupancy each year due to owners selling, tenants moving, and rentals shifting, maintaining long-term strata management relationships is no small feat. Willox attributes the success of the 240 Domain partnership to a people-first approach.
“Every five years, a building’s ownership composition changes almost entirely, making the longevity of our relationship with 240 Domain all the more remarkable,” says Parekh.
“At the heart of it all is strong, consistent customer service. We’re fortunate to work with a committed owners’ corporation and leaders like Ben Hepworth. You can’t sustain a decades-long working relationship without honesty, transparency, and a customer-centric culture. If you try to be underhanded, people will see right through it.”
“At Turnbull Cook, we take pride in delivering open and ethical strata management. We have the expertise, technology, and dedicated professionals to provide the best service possible. Retaining a client for 50 years isn’t easy—but it’s also not rocket science.”