New low for embattled Couran Cove Island Resort a month after essential services switched off

Residents of an embattled island resort have banded together to transform a disturbing message that appeared in their community.

Residents of an island community in turmoil have formed a working bee to paint over a disturbing message.

The words “Philips dead man walking” was graffitied onto a shipping container at Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island, a week ago.

Couran Cove marine apartment chair Darren Philip believed the threat was directed towards him and reported it to police.

Couran Cove residents have painted over a disturbing message that was written on a shipping container.

The community’s eco body corporate secretary Dave Bowden said residents had painted flowers and hearts over it.

The original message was written by someone “very unhappy” and the community had condemned their actions, Mr Bowden said.

“For that reason, this weekend some community members banded together and transformed the container into a vehicle of positive images and messages,” he said.

Tensions are running high after essential services were to cut to eco precinct residents three months ago - and to the rest of the community a month ago.

The message spray painted onto a shipping container at Couran Cove. Picture: supplied

It occurred amid allegations of millions in unpaid body corporate fees.

“In addition (residents) have been subjected to what we believe are additional unjustified actions,” Mr Bowden said.

“Examples include the removal of a trailer relied on to transport bottled water.

“Also blocking not only the general marina, but large sections of the beach where (residents) could have anchored their boats and the dismantling of a ramp to toilets in the picnic grounds. “We believe some water taxies have been warned off bringing people to and from the island.”

Mr Philip said he was still talking to police: “I appreciate community members have taken it upon themselves to make good on the vile comments painted on there.”

Of the new artwork, he commented: “It ain’t no Dali”.

It is still unclear who spray-painted the original on the container.

Couran Cove residents have painted over a disturbing message that was written on a shipping container.

Earlier:

Police have returned to an embattled island community cut off from essential services after a disturbing message describing a body corporate chair as a “dead man walking” was spray painted onto property.

It has now been a month since electricity, water and gas services were disconnected to hundreds of homes at Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island, amid long-running body corporate disputes.

Dozens of residents who remain on the island have continued to go without these basic amenities with no resolution in sight.

Police visited the community on Monday following reports of wilful damage, including a message that was graffitied on a shipping container which read: “Philips dead man walking”.

Couran Cove Resort Marine apartment chair Darren Philip said he believed the threat was directed towards him and had been reported to police.

“Someone has vandalised the container and put something highly offensive and inappropriate on there,” Mr Philip said.

“I was made aware of it (Sunday) morning.

“I’m concerned people are saying things like that.

“It has become like Lord of the Flies out there.”

Police at Couran Cove Island Resort, South Stradbroke Island.

Island resident Mick Reichle - who lives in the community’s eco precinct which has been cut off from essential services for several months - also raised concerns about the shipping container.

He said it had been placed on top of a fire hydrant valve which was needed to access water in case of a fire.

“If there is a fire, there is no way firefighters could move the container to turn the tap on - so we are at high risk.”

Mr Reichle said he was not aware of the vandalism to the container.

The island resident said Red Cross workers visited the community on Monday to get updated numbers of those still living there.

Resident Mick Reichle. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Mr Reichle urged Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and other senior ministers to “come and spend the day over here to see the living conditions”.

The Premier’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Couran Cove infrastructure operator Simon Napoli said no progress had been made in restoring essential services.

Mr Napoli said he was yet to receive a response to his letter directed to Energy Minister Mick de Brenni requesting the extension of mains power supply on the southern point of the island to Couran Cove.

Essential services were cut off to hundreds of homes in Couran Cove on April 17 due to alleged unpaid body corporate fees.

In a letter to owners, Mr Napoli alleged more than $25m was owed.

There are five bodies corporate involved on the island, with complex court proceedings playing out over the alleged millions of dollars in unpaid fees.

Originally published as New low for embattled Couran Cove Island Resort a month after essential services switched off