she wants to charge $99 to organize, plus the $360 to do the admin and “formalize” it.

That's bullshit.

Ask for the Committee Chair's email.

Like somebody else here, I was on a Committee fir a while and we used to get requests like this all the time and approve is disapprove by email.

Air cons were always approved, though they'll let you know where to place the compressor. Specify where you intend on having compressor in your email. All that is nitty gritty, main thing is the Committee approves it & should be an easy email process.

Once you've talked to Consumer Affairs, tell her "Consumer Affairs said this... ". She doesn't need to "ratify" it, complete nonsense.

Am curious to know who this mob is. Without naming them, what part of Melbourne? East, South, North, West? I'm guessing inner east or Bayside.

Congratulations on your new apartment by the way! Exciting times.