THE sale of high-priced land overlooking Cylinder Beach has led to vandalism, theft and bad blood on North Stradbroke Island.
Dolphin Real Estate principal Olivia Cole said the 1161 sq m adjoining blocks on Hopewell Street, had not long gone on the market.
When she put for sale signs up, they were ripped down.
Seven lots of signs were put up and all seven had been pulled down and the last stolen.
Ms Cole said she was furious.
She did not know if it was someone in units behind the blocks who was concerned about losing ocean views or a local who did not want the blocks developed.
The blocks had not been on the market in more than 40 years so many locals would not have realised the land was privately owned while there were others who had long sought to buy the site.
“The blocks are causing quite a stir because some people have been after them for years,’’ she said.
People might also be reacting to the prospect of the bushland being developed.
“I don’t know who’s done it,’’ she said. “There’s quite a few greenies live over here. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to pull down the signs. They were large and cost several hundred dollars.’’
Ms Cole said a police report had been made and locals were keeping an eye out to see if they could catch the vandal.
“We’re also looking at putting cameras in and a neighbour already has a camera set up so we are looking at that too,’’ she said. “The signs have been destroyed before but now they’ve been stolen and it’s infuriating me.’’
Ms Cole said her story was not a ploy to attract interest in the blocks.
She said that regardless of events on the island, they would be sold by tender.
