The cleanup of a Thetis Island property that has been the subject of legal action since 2020 has been authorized by a B.C. Supreme Court order.
The executive committee of the Islands Trust, which was a party to the legal process, has approved funding to move ahead with removal of derelict vehicles, auto parts and debris from the site.
Bylaw staff will be present during the cleanup to ensure compliance.
The legal action focused on the unlawful use of the property as a vehicle-salvage yard and an outdoor vehicle-repair business, Islands Trust said.
It said there will be further action to recover taxpayer funds spent on dealing with the cleanup.
The property’s location and owner were not identified in Islands Trust public statements about the issue.
“This cleanup is a significant step forward in addressing the longstanding concerns about this property,” said Tobi Elliott, chair of the Thetis Island Local Trust Committee. “By removing these hazards, we are ensuring the protection of the natural environment and promoting community safety.”
Islands Trust said the property owner has repeatedly failed to comply with Islands Trust bylaw enforcement and with B.C. Supreme Court orders to stop unlawful activities, and to remove material as specified.
The site is a safety hazard, Islands Trust said, with that risk being shown by a fire that occurred there in April 2023.
Most bylaw-enforcement investigations come about from complaints, Islands Trust said, but they can also be initiated by staff should there be concerns about damage to environmentally sensitive areas, or about health and safety.
“Islands Trust council and local trust committees may adopt general bylaw compliance and enforcement policies to set priorities for investigations,” Islands Trust said in a statement.
Islands Trust is a government body representing over 30,000 people living within the Islands Trust Area, as well as 10,000 non-resident property owners.
The area covers the islands and waters between the British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Island, including 13 major islands and about 450 smaller islands that cover 5,200 square kilometres.
Islands Trust said it is responsible for preserving and protecting its area, and its amenities and environment “through conservation-oriented land use planning and regulation, education, and co-operation with First Nations and other agencies.”
>>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: [email protected]
