The Thetis Island site will be cleaned up by court order

Cleanup of a Thetis Island property that was the subject of a 2020 legal action has been authorized by a BC Supreme Court decision.

The executive committee of the Islands Trust, which was party to the legal process, approved funding to proceed with the removal of derelict vehicles, car parts and debris from the site.

Bylaw staff will be present during the cleanup to ensure compliance.

The legal action focused on the illegal use of the property as a vehicle salvage yard and an open-air vehicle repair business, the Islands Trust said.

He said there would be additional measures to recover the funds spent by taxpayers to deal with the cleanup.

The location and owner of the property have not been identified in the Islands Trust’s public statements on the matter.

“This cleanup is a significant step forward in addressing longstanding concerns about this property,” said Tobi Elliott, chair of the Thetis Island Local Trust Committee. “By eliminating these hazards, we ensure the protection of the natural environment and promote community safety.”

The Islands Trust said the property owner has repeatedly failed to comply with Islands Trust laws and BC Supreme Court orders to stop illegal activities and remove the material as specified.

The site poses a safety hazard, the Islands Trust said, with this risk demonstrated by a fire that occurred there in April 2023.

Most enforcement investigations stem from complaints, the Islands Trust said, but they can also be initiated by staff if there are concerns about damage to ecologically sensitive areas or about health and safety.

“The Islands Trust board and local trust committees may adopt general compliance and enforcement policies to prioritize investigations,” the Islands Trust said in a statement.

The Islands Trust is a government body representing over 30,000 people living in the Islands Trust area, as well as 10,000 non-resident owners.

The area covers the islands and waters between British Columbia and southern Vancouver Island, including 13 major islands and approximately 450 smaller islands covering 5,200 square kilometers.

The Islands Trust said it is responsible for conserving and protecting its area, facilities and environment “through conservation-oriented land use planning and regulation, education and cooperation with First Nations and other agencies”.

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