Coast island residents, operator urge ‘Commission of Inquiry’

A FUMING resident 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 100-plus 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” by the escalating crisis.

Couran Cove residents got a letter last week warning electricity, gas and water would be disconnected indefinitely due to claims of millions owed under body corporate service agreements. There are five body corporates on the island, with complex court proceedings playing out about the allegations of unpaid levies.

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

A spokesman for Couran Cove, which forecast the cuts this week, said it supported inquiry calls and wanted an urgent meeting with Ms Fentiman: “Couran Cove is supporting residents calls and would welcome a Commission of Inquiry.”

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 residents of Couran Cove on South Stradbroke Island are being disconnected from essential utilities.

“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 help or temporary accommodation could phone the Gold CoastHousing Service on 5645 8100.

Residents could also phone a Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Mr Woods claimed as part of service disconnection, water was cut to fire hydrants, calling it a safety concern. But a Couran Cove spokesman said sufficient water and fire safety measures were in place to meet all fire safety requirements.

Mr Woods said he’d organised 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.”