Power axed, water cut and Couran Cove residents scared to speak

RESIDENTS of an embattled island community who had electricity deliberately cut two weeks ago have been dealt a fresh blow, with some now claiming to be without water.

In wild new claims, Couran Cove Island Resort eco cabin owner Michelle Bowden said residents had an “anonymous tip” on Friday their water supply would be cut. She claims some villa residents in the South Stradbroke Island community had water pipes “sawed through” and some eco cabins lost water supply on Saturday. It was difficult to estimate how many were affected, she added.

It is feared more residents would lose their water on Tuesday.

“We had no warning, no notification - they just started doing it,” he said. “No one could even prepare.”

It’s understood residents had electricity and water cut due to claims of money owed by one of the body corporates within Couran’s complex body corporate structure, residents claim.

There are five body corporates involved on the island, with complex court proceedings playing out over allegations of millions of dollars in unpaid levies. The latest saga has been going for more than two weeks, with police forced to intervene on Wednesday as unrest broke out among frustrated residents.

Ms Bowden said she called Gold Coast City Council’s emergency service phone line on Saturday morning.

“I’ve reported it as a health emergency - as with no water, we have no sewage,” she said.

Council CEO Tim Baker said while the city was concerned about the loss of critical services at Couran Cove, it was unable to help.

“The resort is on private land and any health matters should be referred to the relevant Queensland government department,” Mr Baker said.

“The resort is a wholly self-sufficient mixed-use development and the community body corporate is responsible for the community property which includes arrangements for the operation of a power generation plant, sewerage treatment and a water supply, treatment and waste treatment plant.

“It is not the city’s role to implement or maintain services or associated infrastructure at Couran Cove, nor to regulate on an ongoing basis related supply standards.”

The Bulletin has contacted Queensland Health for comment.

Families with kids and babies, the sick and elderly have been affected by the loss of critical services. Some residents say they’re afraid to speak publicly about due to fear of retaliation.