Plea for top politicians to visit island
A prominent resident of an embattled island resort is calling on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and other state MPS to visit their community and see the distress for themselves.
Others have pleaded for Gold Coast residents and businesses to donate food, with supplies running low and ferry services to the mainland suspended.
Hundreds of Couran Cove Island Resort homes on South Stradbroke Island had their electricity, water and gas services cut indefinitely from late Monday amid a stoush over body corporate fees.
Couran Cove service provider Simon Napoli alleged $25m-plus in fees were owed.
Rhonda Dalgleish, a resident of the eco precinct - which had its basic services cut nine weeks ago - said the Premier, Attorney-general Shannon Fentiman and Deputy Premier Steven Miles should “absolutely” visit the community.
“Why don’t they visit?” she said. “Community Recovery and the Red Cross are the only ones that are physically coming here and helping us.
“As it goes up and down the line, everyone keeps saying ‘that’s not my department, my hands are tied’.”
Ms Dalgleish said about 50 residents had chosen to stay behind on the island despite the lack of services.
Couran Cove resident Leanne Bowen said access to food supplies had become the main issue because boat access to the marina was being restricted. She said any food donations from residents and businesses on the mainland would be appreciated.
“We need a communal kitchen, we need something here with food so at least we don’t have to worry about food,” she said. “The fellas out there (in the eco precinct), you can see them losing weight.
“They need to be helped. It is heartbreaking watching them.”
Ms Fentiman told parliament the state government was doing everything it could to help residents: “The Department of Communities has been on the ground to deliver support for residents, including deliveries of water totalling more than 9700L.
“Since February, the Community Recovery team and Red Cross have made a number of visits to the island.”
Ms Fentiman said these visits had led to 37 sessions of psychological first aid; dozens of food, water and fuel vouchers handed out and 22 housing referrals.
Mr Napoli said on Friday the resort operator was in talks with the Qld Government and agencies - and like them would like to see body coporate issues “resolved as a priority”.
The resort wrote to Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Monday after the state said “formal requests for further meetings would be properly considered”.
“Unfortunately we’re still waiting to hear back from Mr Miles office about whether they are open to having a meeting.”
Residents needing help can contact the Couran Cove Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
An online fundraising page called Couran Cove Owners’ Fighting Fund has also been set up to provide financial support and has raised more than $11,000 in two months.
I am very sorry to see people suffering but I cannot offer false hope.
Mayor Tom Tate Page 61