Remote area status push
Couran Cove owners campaign for title change in battle over rates
Couran Cove residents are seeking to avoid paying up to $2m in rates by making South Stradbroke Island a remote area or separate shire to the Gold Coast.
Property owners are about to ramp up their campaign following the local government poll and in the lead-up to the October state election.
They are lobbying new area councillor Shelley Curtis, and plan to reach out to their MP who is Opposition leader David Crisafulli along with Housing Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon.
The island resort’s residents and management have been entangled in a body corporate dispute being played out in the courts about unpaid levies.
Services including power, water and sewerage have been switched off.
The former five-star eco-resort was built in the 1990s by billionaire US philanthropist Chuck Feeney with the help of ex-Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke.
Some residents have abandoned the island but about 50 stayed out, opting to live “offgrid” using generators, water pumps and solar panels. Property owners are reigniting their campaign.
Former councillor Grant Pforr, an island property owner, is rallying others to reach out to Mr Crisafulli, Cr Curtis and Ms Scanlon.
Mr Pforr wants their land valuation to be reviewed, for the island to be given “remote and isolated status” which could occur through a Private Members Bill in parliament.
“Bring on a full inquiry I say and have the Minister call it in,” Mr Pforr said.
“So please everyone, take the time now to write individually to these representatives this week.
“Being isolated, we are not like the rural properties on the mainland and can’t be compared to them as such, given our remoteness or compare or even to those islands off Brisbane that at least have power to the mainland.”
Mr Pforr estimates residents are paying up to $2m annually in rates for no services.
“We supply our own power, water and sewage treatment, our own garbage collections and maintain our own roads. We don’t get access to sporting fields, libraries, committee facilities and halls as well as public transport,” he said.
Mr Pforr in social media posts to residents said councils had the power to resolve the island’s long-term services issues “but unfortunately lacked the experience or the will to do so”.
Cr Curtis, the new area councillor, has spoken to residents and contacted council officers who have begun assessing rates. A council spokesman said Cr Curtis in November last year submitted a request and the City agreed “to consider the unique experience of living on South Stradbroke Island” as council conducted its rates review.
“Findings from that report will be ready for consideration by the council during the special budget committee meetings scheduled to commence in late April and May 2024,” the spokesman said.
The review outcomes are “to remain confidential” until formally adopted at council’s budget planned for mid-June.