South Stradbroke Island: Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation investigates potential liquor act breaches

A Gold Coast island bar is facing scrutiny from the Office of Liquor and Gaming but operators say it is an unfounded complaint by residents trying to sabotage the resort. DETAILS

A Gold Coast island bar is facing scrutiny from the Office of Liquor and Gaming watchdog - but operators say it is an unfounded complaint by residents trying to sabotage the resort.

Police attended a premises on South Stradbroke Island on Saturday with officers from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).

The Couran Cove island’s Community Body Corporate spokesman said there was an allegation made against the resort which was met with a visit by Liqour Licensing Police.

“The allegation was made by a group of residents who are continually attempting to sabotage the resort and continue to provide untrue statements to the Bulletin,” they said.

“There was no action arising from the visit by the Licensing Police as they did not find any breaches of liquor licensing laws.”

An OLGR spokesman confirmed its officers attended a venue on South Stradbroke Island on Saturday.

“An investigation is ongoing regarding potential breaches of the Liquor Act 1992,” the OLGR spokesman said.

“Confidentiality obligations prevent OLGR from providing any further detail regarding this matter.”

The spokesman said he was unable to confirm the name of the venue involved.

An aerial view of South Stradbroke Island.

Over the past several months, the Bulletin has revealed shocking conditions residents of South Stradbroke Island’s Couran Cove Resort have faced, including being without hot water and gas for cooking for two months.

The island is a 20-minute boat ride from the Gold Coast mainland. It is unclear what the complaint related to.

In general, under the Liquor Act 1992, a liquor licensee, staff and patrons can be penalised for breaches of responsible service of alcohol.

There is no suggestion this is what sparked the visit by OLGR to the island bar.

These breaches can include failure to comply with a condition on the licence, selling liquor to disorderly patrons and minors, failing to check identification and infringing trading hours.

In Queensland, venues can only sell alcohol with the authority of a licence or permit issued under the Liquor Act.

Failing to do so can attract fines of $68,925 for the first offence, with increased fines of up to $137,850 or 18 months imprisonment for subsequent offences.

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