Silkwood Sands director Fabian Watt and his team will arrive on Mornington Island next week  to demolish the Lardil Street eyesore.

Mr Watt said the demolition should start on January 18 and take eight days.

“We basically dismantle the building and carefully wrap the asbestos in plastic before loading it into a double-lined semi-trailer, which will dispose the rubbish off island,” Mr Watt said.

“We will also take the top level of soil away to make sure the asbestos is completely removed from the community.”

The decaying building, situated across the road from operating health organisations, has loomed in the  town centre for decades.

Mayor Brad Wilson said the removal of the structure was a huge accomplishment for Mornington Shire Council, who recently collaborated with Queensland Health.

“Previously, there was a lack of accountability or assistance from state organisations,” Cr Wilson said.

“Our community has had to be diligent in teaching their children the dangers the building posed;  if it was in the middle of Canberra it would’ve been demolished a long time ago.”

Council chief executive officer Frank Mills said the inhalation of asbestos fibres was of  great  concern to council, adding “once the building is removed, our community can breathe a huge sigh of relief”.

Information can be found on the council’s website www.mornington.qld.gov.au., or gacc@mornington.qld.gov.au.