Sorry, I guess my previous advice wasn't much help! I do know that sooner or later, whatever the cause or cure, the brown stuff must go. You should be able to do that anytime. Hope someone more in the know helps you soon. : ]

Not at all tugbrethil from Phoenix: Thanks and actually your advice tracked very well with the advice I received from the Australian Forum. They sent me an article that you might be interested in and excerpted here in part:
"Many foliage plants are tufted or clump-forming. Some evolved near rivers in Australia and their form allowed the water to flow over them freely, others are shade tolerant and some of the grasses evolved in open plains where they were accustomed to being windswept. One of these tufted plants is phormium which requires little maintenance but when the leaves become tired and dry on the ends, they need to be cut back to the base to make way for the new leaves. With the large vertical types such as Phormium ÂAnna RedÂ, remove the straggly lower leaves so that the plant maintains its attractive shape."

To quote Tolkien, "It is good to know that you are not always mistaken!" Thanks, seansmith! : )