Gold Coast paradise island Couran Cove: South Straddie rot drama

A South Stradbroke Island resident has urged the council to step in ‘before someone is hurt’. READ COUNCIL’S RESPONSE

Mayor Tom Tate says Gold Coast City Council should not have any involvement in the repair of a dilapidated structure on South Stradbroke Island.

The Bulletin yesterday revealed a “dangerous” beach boardwalk in the Couran Cove Island Resort had been in a state of disrepair for more than a year because sections of the wooden structure had collapsed.

Island residents had called on the council to step in and force island management to maintain it.

Mr Tate responded saying: “It is not a city asset. It’s a private asset owned by the resort built on both private and conservation reserve.

“Across the city, there are dozens of examples where body corporates build, and must maintain, infrastructure that is on council or state land.

“This is one example of that and ratepayers are not liable in any way, nor should they be.”

The Bulletin contacted the island’s Community Body Corporate for response, but did not receive one by deadline.

Island resident Sara Skipworth urged the council to step in “before someone is hurt”.

“I would like to know who is the entity in charge of enforcing the law in order to maintain structures that are used by the public at this Gold Coast tourist destination,” Ms Skipworth said.

“Isn’t it in his best interest as the mayor of the Gold Coast to take appropriate action to ensure the structure is fixed and maintained?

“Someone will be seriously hurt or possibly killed on this totally dangerous structure.”

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture Glenn Hampson

‘Totally dangerous’ Couran Cove boardwalk left to rot - January 6

Residents of besieged Couran Cove say their council has forgotten about them, after pleas to fix public infrastructure fell on deaf ears.

A dilapidated beach boardwalk on the South Stradbroke’s resort has been closed to the public for more than a year.

The damaged boardwalk on South Stradbroke Island. Picture: Mike Batterham

Sections of the wooden structure have collapsed and there are visible exposed wires.

Island resident Sara Skipworth said the community had made multiple complaints to Gold Coast City Council calling for action to be taken in late September.

No work has been started on the structure.

“I received one phone call about my complaint about the boardwalk asking for the location, and after that there was no follow up,” Ms Skipworth said.

“The boardwalk is unsafe and collapsing and can cause serious harm or potentially kill someone.

“If this was in Broadbeach, the council would be all over it like crazy.”

In pictures: Couran Cove Island Resort

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Ms Skipworth believed her community was being ignored and forgotten because of its distance away from the mainland.

She said the boardwalk was built by the council on council-owned land, but island management were responsible for maintaining it.

Island residents want the council to step in and force management to maintain it.

A council spokeswoman said it was a private asset that was constructed on both private and public land.

“The boardwalk is constructed on land that is not controlled by the City of Gold Coast and remains the responsibility of Couran Cove Resort,” the spokeswoman said.

The Bulletin contacted Couran Cove’s Community Body Corporate for comment, but a spokesman said he was “on holidays”.

Island resident Sara Skipworth. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Couran Cove resident of four years Jim Cleveland said he noticed the deteriorated structure after he returned from overseas about a year ago.

He said the plastic barrier stopping people from entering the boardwalk was constantly being moved.

“It is totally dangerous,” Mr Cleveland said.

“There has been a lack of maintenance and it has just been forgotten.”

The damaged boardwalk on South Stradbroke Island. Picture: Mike Batterham

He did not receive a response from council after he made two complaints a few months ago.

During the past several months, the Bulletin has revealed shocking conditions Couran Cove residents have faced, including being without hot water and gas for cooking for two months.

Since the 2010s, Couran Cove has been plagued by several issues stemming from its complex body corporate structures and legal dramas.

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