How to fix Couran Cove Island Resort mess on South Stradbroke Island

Fuming residents of an embattled island community facing cuts to essential services and the resort operator agree one thing is needed to resolve the saga.

Fuming residents of an embattled Gold Coast island community facing cuts to essential services and the resort operator agree an independent inquiry is needed to resolve the saga.

Electricity and water was disconnected to more than 100 homes at Couran Cove Island Resort on Wednesday amid allegations of millions of dollars in unpaid levies.

It prompted a state government spokesman to say Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman was “deeply concerned” about the escalating crisis.

Couran Cove residents received a letter last week warning electricity, gas and water would be disconnected indefinitely due to claims of millions of dollars owed under body corporate service agreements.

Couran Cove residents have been using water tanks after their water supply was disconnected.

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

Island resident Bernie Woods said he wanted “nothing short of a Commission of Inquiry” into the debacle.

A Couran Cove spokesman agreed, saying it supported this and was seeking an urgent meeting with Ms Fentiman.

“Couran Cove is supporting residents calls and would welcome a Commission of Inquiry,” he said.

Residents of Couran Cove without electricity have been forced to light candles during the night. Picture: Facebook

A state government spokesman said Couran Cove was “beset by ongoing complex disputes”, including matters before referees and the courts.

“The Attorney-General is deeply concerned that residents of Couran Cove on South Stradbroke Island are being disconnected from essential utilities,” he said.

“The laws passed by the Palaszczuk Government last year will help to better protect unit owners and improve body corporate governance.

“It is not appropriate for the Attorney-General to intervene in individual disputes or proceedings.”

The government spokesman said residents who required housing assistance or temporary accommodation could phone the Gold Coast Housing Service on 5645 8100.

Residents could also phone the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 for support.

Mr Woods claimed as part of this week’s service disconnection, water had been cut to fire hydrants on the island, calling it a significant safety concern.

Elderly resident Bernie Woods. Picture Mike Batterham

But a Couran Cove spokesman said there was sufficient water and fire safety measures in place to meet all fire safety requirements.

Mr Woods said he had been organising generators and water tanks for affected residents.

“We have generators running power, but you can’t run that 24/7 and you have to watch every drop of water,” he said.

“(Wednesday night) was not comfortable. We will get by somehow. Most of the people here are coping OK under difficult circumstances.”

Originally published as How to fix Couran Cove Island Resort mess on South Stradbroke Island