Police called as unrest erupts at Couran Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island after electricity cuts

Residents of a Gold Coast island community are still on tenterhooks after their power supply was abruptly cut.

The Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Justice says she is powerless to act for a Gold Coast island community growing increasingly angry over deliberate power cuts to properties.

It comes as Queensland Police officers have been at Couran Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island “keeping the peace” amid unrest from residents.

Police at Couran Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island on Wednesday.

The Bulletin reported on Wednesday that dozens of residents had spent 12 days living with their electricity cut off as part of an ongoing body corporates stoush on Couran Cove.

It is understood power has been cut due to claims of money owed by a body corporate which is part of the island’s intricate body corporate structure. There are five body corporates involved on the island, with complex court proceedings playing out over allegations of millions of dollars in unpaid levies.

Asked how she may be able to help residents, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said she was “concerned by the impacts of these disruptions on residents and owners at Couran Cove”.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman. Picture: NewsWire/Sarah Marshall

“The Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy has been contacted to ensure the welfare of residents can be assessed, and that they remain aware of available assistance,” she said.

“Following disruptions to privately supplied utility services earlier this year, I engaged other State Government agencies and the City of Gold Coast council to ensure that owners and occupiers at Couran Cove were aware of support available at the time, and in the event of future disruptions.”

But Ms Fentiman said she was unable to act on behalf of beleaguered residents.

“As the Attorney-General, I am unable to intervene directly in body corporate governance decisions or the judicial process as it applies to body corporate disputes,” she said.

Couran Cove. Picture: Des Houghton.

Ms Fentiman flagged new laws to protect residents in similar developments, but they will be no help for the time being.

“A Bill was recently introduced to Parliament to improve protections for residents and owners in the legislation that applies to developments like Couran Cove,” she said.

“The legislation will have the effect of making body corporate governance arrangements in the future fairer and more transparent for residents and owners. The Bill is currently before the Queensland Parliament.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli slammed the lack of action.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

“The Attorney-General’s response is deeply disappointing and will do nothing to ease anxiety on the island,” he said.

“After three terms in office, the State Government has given up listening to Queenslanders.

“I‘ll continue to shine a light on this issue to bring pressure to bear and force action to end this madness.”

Police called as unrest erupts at Couran Cove

September 28: Unrest has broken out in a Gold Coast island community as residents protest against their electricity being deliberately cut.

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers were called to a South Stradbroke Island resort on Wednesday morning in relation to “keeping the peace regarding a civil matter”.

Dozens of residents have had their electricity shut off for the past 12 days as legal dramas continue to plague the Couran Cove Island Resort.

It’s understood the drastic action has been taken due to claims of money owed by one of the body corporates within Couran Cove’s complex body corporate structure.

Police at Couran Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island.

There are five body corporates involved on the island, with complex court proceedings playing out over allegations of millions of dollars in unpaid levies.

Residents told the Bulletin electricity was being cut to more homes, specifically eco cabins, on Wednesday morning.

An eco cabin at Couran Cove. Picture: Mike Batterham

It’s understood electricians arrived on the island early Wednesday.

Residents have staged a protest by sitting on their electrical boxes to prevent their electricity being turned off.

“The community have chased them (the electricians) back to the marina cafe,” Couran Cove resident Michelle Bowden said.

“We are now not allowed in there.

“We sat on our electricity boxes and they couldn’t touch us.

“The community have offered to pay the electricians double not to do it.”
The Bulletin has contacted the Community Body Corporate (CBC) for comment.

An aerial view of Couran Cove Island Resort.