Embattled Couran Cove Island Resort braces for service blackout

Threats to axe essential services to hundreds of homes in Couran Cove ended in a whimper on Monday as residents fled and tempers flared. Watch the video.

Threats to axe essential services to hundreds of homes in an embattled Gold Coast island community ended in a whimper on Monday.

Power, water, gas and sewerage remained connected to a majority of Couran Cove Island Resort throughout the day, despite residents being told services would be cut from 10am.

Couran Cove Island Resort service provider Simon Napoli issued a statement just after 4pm Monday saying services would instead be restricted from 4.30pm.

Mr Napoli said while essential services including power, water, gas and sewerage would be restricted to dwellings, some services would continue as normal.

Residents on the beach at Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island. Picture: supplied

These included security services, fire detection systems, daily servicing of the sewer plant for preventative maintenance, daily servicing of the water plant for preventative maintenance, caretaking functions, maintenance and protection of community assets, and maintenance of the swimming pool.

It came after Mr Napoli sent a letter last month warning all 360 dwellings in the South Stradbroke Island resort would have their services disconnected from 10am Monday, April 17, due to alleged unpaid body corporate fees.

It was alleged more than $25m was owed.

Resident Mark Pitt said the community was told access to the marina would be blocked off on Monday, effectively limiting boat movement to and from the resort.

Couran resident Mark Pitt. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Several boats had been moved onto the sand in front of homes on Monday.

Mr Pitt said he would remain on the island with his partner and 90-year-old mother for as long as they could.

“We will survive without power, we’ve got generators,” he said.

“My main worry is, if we have a medical problem and they block all this off, how do we get off the island?

“We are basically prisoners on this island.”

Mr Napoli said the main marina was privately owned and used for resort guests.

“The permanently leased berths to the south of the Broadwater Villas will remain operational for permanent tenants who have paid their lease fees,” he said.

The threat of having their services axed caused many long-term residents to flee the island by boat.

Resident of five years, Branko Sola, packed his boat up and left on Monday.

Resident Branko Sola packing up his boat. Picture Glenn Hampson

The military veteran, who has post-traumatic stress disorder, said the dire situation reminded him of the time he spent in Afghanistan.

“There are a few veterans living here – we came here to get away from all this,” Mr Sola said.

“It is like being in Afghanistan again.

“People are washing themselves out of buckets and struggling for survival, for water and food.”

Another family of three, who asked not to be named, said they faced being homeless and unemployed.

Residents pack up their belongings, ready to leave the island. Picture Glenn Hampson

The couple and their son were employed by the resort but were packing up on Monday to head to the mainland with no prospect of jobs or a home.

“There is no work for me here anymore or my wife. We have worked here for the last two years,” the father said.

“We are down to our savings now.

“We will have to go to the mainland to find work and somewhere to stay.”

Police were on standby to race to the island over fears tensions would boil over once services were disconnected to the whole resort.

They had not attended the island by late Monday.

A tense moment did occur when two Couran Cove property owners traded verbal blows in front of a press pack.

Matthew O'Connor (right) and Dave Thompson trade verbal blows. Picture Glenn Hampson

Owner Dave Thompson said he was visiting the island to check on his properties.

A heated verbal argument broke out between Mr Thompson and another owner Matthew O’Connor on the island’s marina over the spending of body corporate fees.

There are five bodies corporate involved on the island, with complex court proceedings playing out over the alleged millions of dollars in unpaid fees.

Many residents believed they were being deliberately forced off the island, despite having paid their fees.

Mr Napoli was asked for his response to this claim.

“The disconnection of services relates to unpaid levies which amount to more than $25m,” he responded.