Couran Cove Island Resort residents dealt fresh blow in ‘health emergency’

Residents of an embattled island community who had their electricity deliberately cut two weeks ago are reportedly facing a fresh ‘health emergency’.

Residents of an embattled island community who had electricity deliberately cut two weeks ago have been dealt a fresh blow, with some now claiming to be without water.

In wild new claims, Couran Cove Island Resort eco cabin owner Michelle Bowden said residents received an “anonymous tip” on Friday night that their water supply would be cut.

Ms Bowden claims some villa residents in the South Stradbroke Island community had their water pipes “sawed through” and some eco cabins also lost water supply on Saturday.

She said it was difficult to estimate how many people were affected.

It is feared more residents would lose their water on Tuesday.

“We had no warning, no notification - they just started doing it,” Ms Bowden said.

“No one could even prepare.”

A photo reportedly taken of water in a bathtub at a Couran Cove resident's home before the supply was cut on Saturday. Picture: supplied

It’s understood residents had their electricity and water supply cut due to claims of money owed by one of the body corporates within Couran Cove’s complex body corporate structure, residents claim.

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

The latest saga has been going for more than two weeks, with police forced to intervene on Wednesday as unrest broke out among frustrated residents.

Ms Bowden said she called Gold Coast City Council’s emergency service phone line on Saturday morning.

“I’ve reported it as a health emergency - as with no water, we have no sewage,” she said.

Couran Cove Island Resort

Council CEO Tim Baker said while the city was concerned about the loss of critical services at Couran Cove, it was unable to help.

“The resort is on private land and any health matters should be referred to the relevant Queensland government department,” Mr Baker said.

“The resort is a wholly self-sufficient mixed-use development and the community body corporate is responsible for the community property which includes arrangements for the operation of a power generation plant, sewerage treatment and a water supply, treatment and waste treatment plant.

“It is not the city’s role to implement or maintain services or associated infrastructure at Couran Cove, nor to regulate on an ongoing basis related supply standards.”

Gold Coast City Council CEO Tim Baker. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Bulletin has contacted Queensland Health for comment.

Families with young children and babies, the sick and elderly have been affected by the loss of critical services.

Some residents have told the Bulletin they are afraid to speak publicly about issues on the island due to fear of retaliation.