Raw sewage crisis hits embattled Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island

Residents of Couran Cove have received a disturbing letter warning of an ‘untreated human waste’ threat and ‘compromised’ groundwater safety.

Residents of a troubled Gold Coast island resort have received a disturbing letter warning of an “untreated human waste” threat and “compromised” groundwater safety.

The letter was sent by the Gold Coast Public Health Unit to residents of Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island, dated July 12.

It read: “Evidence of untreated human waste and greywater has been observed on the ground at several wet wells/sewerage pits and individual household overflow relief gullies at Couran Cove.

“Due to the proximity of the groundwater table, it is highly likely that the safety of the groundwater has been compromised.

“Untreated sewage is known to contain disease-causing microbes (germs) that can cause illness and potentially life- threatening infections.”

Part of the letter sent to Couran Cove Island Resort residents.

The correspondence warned continued use of the groundwater via a bore or spear pump posed a risk to residents’ health.

A Gold Coast Health spokeswoman said the advice in the letter remained current and it was continuing to provide help to residents.

“Earlier this month, the Gold Coast Public Health Unit carried out inspections to determine if there were health risks to residents at Couran Cove, which at this time remains low, provided health advice about the use of bore water is maintained,” she said.

“The letter is a continuation of recent discussions with residents about not using bore water to shower, wash dishes or clean teeth, etc.”

The communication to residents came four days after the Bulletin reported state health and environmental officials had raced to the island community after a sewage overflow occurred.

The Couran Cove sewage treatment plant. The resort's sewerage system was shut down last month amid bitter body corporate disputes.

EARLIER:

State health and environmental officials have raced to a troubled Gold Coast island resort after a sewage overflow occurred.

Staff from the Gold Coast Public Health Unit and Department of Environment and Science (DES) officers visited Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island, on Tuesday after the overflow was reported.

A Gold Coast Health spokeswoman said inspections were carried out on the island to determine if there were health risks to residents.

“At this time, the risk was deemed minimal provided residents did not come into contact with untreated sewage or use bore water to shower, wash dishes or clean teeth, etc, before it was treated and tested for safety from contamination,” she said.

A DES spokeswoman said officers assessed the environmental risk the sewage posed.

“The current environmental risk remains low, however we will continue to carry out regular inspections of the site and take further action if required,” she said.

Couran Cove resident Rhonda Dalgleish. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Couran Cove resident Rhonda Dalgleish said the overflow had occurred in some low-lying areas in the resort’s eco precinct.

“It’s coming out of the pipes – some have started bubbling,” she said.

“It’s not real effluent, but it’s not nice either.”

The incident is the latest blow for the embattled resort, which had power, gas and water services cut in February amid a bitter body corporate dispute.

Their sewerage system was shut off last month.