How Couran Cove Island Resort residents will fight to restore critical services

Residents of an embattled island community have vowed to continue their fight to have critical services restored after being cut off more than two weeks ago. Read their bold plan

Residents of an embattled island community have vowed to continue their fight to have critical services restored after being cut off more than two weeks ago.

It is hoped sweeping changes to body corporate laws, set to pass through the Queensland Parliament in the coming days, will be a lifeline for Couran Cove Island Resort residents.

Dozens of properties had their electricity cut due to claims of money owed by one of the body corporates within the South Stradbroke Island resort’s complex body corporate structure.

Residents say some island villas and eco cabins also lost water supply on Saturday.

Couran Cove resident Mark Pitt. Picture Glenn Hampson

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

Community members had a small gathering on Tuesday to discuss the supply issues plaguing the island.

Resort eco cabin owner Dave Bowden said his property and others that had power disconnected had paid their levies.

“At the heart of this we’ve got a couple of corporate entities ... and we’re getting caught in the middle,” Mr Bowden said.

“Instead of these two corporate groups fighting it out, they’re coming to us as individual private owners for their money.”

Couran Cove unit owner David Bowden and resident Mark Pitt. Picture Glenn Hampson

The group of owners vowed to fight for as long as it takes to have their critical services restored.

“The aim was to divide us – I don’t think that worked,” Mr Bowden said.

“That is the strength of the community. People are willing to band together to do something about it.”

Those unable to fight – like 89-year-old partially blind resident Janne Pitt – have been forced to temporarily relocate from the island.

Residents and owners say authorities including police, Gold Coast City Council and state government have been unable to help them.

“They keep telling us it’s a civil matter,” Mr Bowden said.

“From the attorney general’s office down, they’ve been unable to help us.”

In June, the state government introduced a bill into parliament that aimed to benefit owners of units and townhouses in certain resorts and mixed use-developments.

This came about after Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman met with Couran Cove residents last year.

The bill included new committee eligibility requirements, increased transparency in body corporate decision-making, better financial management practices and more protections for owners.

Couran Cove apartment owner Tony Duncan hoped the bill would help the community in the long-term.

Couran Cove unit owner Tony Duncan. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I think the changes will be helpful. The attorney general deserves recognition and praise for the fact that she’s listened and that they have put these through,” Mr Duncan said.

“But (the state government) have also said they will review the changes in 12 months.

“I suspect it might take 12 months or 24 months before all the loopholes have been closed and in the meantime, we’re just going to have to suck it up.”

Mr Duncan said he had no regrets in purchasing two apartments in the resort earlier this year.

“It’s a beautiful spot. A lot of people fly to Hamilton Island to get the same experience,” he said.

“Up north you have to deal with crocodiles and all that fun stuff.

“The issue at Couran Cove is there are more sharks out of the water than there are in it.

“We just need to clean up some of those sharks.”