Asbestos being removed from former Galaxy Niteclub-site debris

Crews in haz-suits were busy Wednesday stuffing asbestos into bright-yellow bags at the former Galaxy Niteclub site south of Duncan.

People were warned away from the property ? where local Island Tractor aims to build ? by caution tape strung by Coast Environmental around the flattened Galaxy building.

Gregg Gale, with Enviro-Vac remediation, explained the operation was expected to be done in about two weeks, and see the asbestos head to an approved landfill.

Cowichan Valley Regional District staff said the closest dump that could accept asbestos would be Victoria's Hartland facility, or Cedar's landfill near Nanaimo.

"We refer people to other landfills," the engineering services' staffer said.

"It's not accepted at our facilities at Bings Creek, Peerless Road or Meade Creek."

CVRD environmental-waste boss, Bob McDonald, was unsure which government level oversees asbestos removal.

But McDonald said it appeared removal work was being done properly after a recent site quarantine period.

Measures are necessary to prevent asbestos fibres becoming airborne in the immediate area, he noted.

"It's very hazardous once it becomes airborne and gets into the lungs," McDonald said of the fire-resistant stuff that's basically stable if left undisturbed inside building walls.

"They (removal crews) have to leave the site spick and span."

CVRD building inspector Brian Duncan was unavailable to explain if local permits are needed to remove the asbestos, and if Cowichan region has removal policies concerning the substance linked to cancer, lung ailments and more.

That's why Cowichan Bay Director Lori Iannidinardo said she was "freaked" about public safety after seeing guys in haz-suits at the site around 11 a.m. Wednesday.

"If it's hazardous, where the heck did the rest of the (Galaxy) building go, and why wasn't it (asbestos removal) done properly?"

Enviro-Vac's Larry Adams was unavailable to answer those questions.

Gord Fraser of Island Tractor & Supply, has stated his firm's new building could take "a couple of years."

The new four-acre site sits off Cowichan Station's Bench Road, where the Galaxy ? now demolished, after being bought from David Chang ? stood for decades.

The Area E property needs regional rezoning to light-industrial use from the current commercial zoning.

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Source: http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/news/191075251.html

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