NDIS officers visit areas of ‘concern’ at troubled Couran Cove Island Resort

Officers from the NDIS watchdog have travelled to Couran Cove Island Resort after being called in by the state government.

Officers from the NDIS watchdog have travelled to a Gold Coast island community and inspected areas of “concern” after being called in by the state government.

An NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission spokeswoman confirmed they visited South Stradbroke Island earlier this month.

She said the purpose of the visit was to “meet with NDIS participants and staff from the Wellness Australia Group, and to visit various sites and areas of concern”.

The boardwalk at Couran Cove Island Resort. Picture: Melanie Whiting

“No concerns were raised by participants or their families regarding their NDIS funded supports and services being provided by the Wellness Australia Group,” the spokeswoman said.

“The NDIS Commission will continue to work with all parties to ensure the provider meets all of its obligations and that the participants have suitable housing, supports and services in place to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Earlier this month, the Bulletin revealed residents of Couran Cove Island Resort had raised concerns for elderly and people with disabilities who were participants of the Better Living in South Stradbroke (BLISS) program.

A pile of rubbish at Couran Cove Island Resort. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The issues highlighted by other island residents included concerns over the safety of facilities and grounds on the island and questions over the sufficiency of care being provided.

Days after the report, the state government called in the NDIS watchdog to investigate the concerns raised.

At the time, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the safety and well-being of seniors and people with a disability were a priority.

“The Queensland government and the Department of Seniors and Disability Services has progressed this matter to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission,” the Attorney-General said.

Wellness Australia Group director Lachlan McIntosh.

BLISS is a program of Wellness Australia Group, a company directed by Brisbane businessman Lachlan McIntosh.

The group described the complaints at the time as a “load of vindictive rubbish”.

A BLISS spokesman earlier this month said it would welcome any NDIS staff to visit the community.

“We are confident they will find what the recent NDIS independent audit found – and that is BLISS is a very safe, happy and productive community for NDIS participants,” he said at the time.