What does OBSID Membership mean?

Membership means becoming a member of the Observatory Improvement District NPC — the non-profit company responsible for governing and overseeing the services provided by OBSID.

Paying the additional rate through your municipal rates does not automatically make you a member of the company. Your additional rate funds the services OBSID provides, while membership gives eligible property owners the opportunity to participate in the governance of the organisation, attend and vote at General Meetings, and help shape OBSID’s future direction.

 You already contribute to OBSID. Membership gives you a voice in how it is governed.

Membership in the OBSID is open to all eligible property owners within its boundary. Members are encouraged to join to exercise their rights to influence the OBSID’s business.

• Membership cannot be denied, and the property owner is expected to attend, participate in, and vote at the company meetings held under the auspices of the Companies Act.
• Members who cannot attend annual general meetings may give another individual their proxy to attend and vote on their behalf.
• The board of directors are chosen by OBSID members at the AGM.
• Only members have voting rights at the AGM. Any property owner in Observatory can become a member of the OBSID.
• OBSID policy states that membership lapses if a member does not attend member meetings either in person or by proxy for two years in a row.
• Lapsed members can immediately re-apply for membership that will be considered by the Board of Directors, provided they agree to exercise their obligation to the OBSID.
• Non-members may attend and participate but cannot vote, and as such, they may have limited influence on the OBSID activities.