\u201cWe have since heard from both the makers of signs and several real estate companies that this would be difficult to operationalise … \u201d<\/p>\n
In the meeting, Raubenheimer said three companies had 8000 to 10,000 signboards in the market, equating to about $2m of stock.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cost to replace all of these boards for a new size would just be, I couldn\u2019t even work it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Raubenheimer said the bylaw would create \u201chardship\u201d for sign businesses and result in agents self-installing boards that were built less substantially, becoming a problem for the city and environment.<\/p>\n
Open2view Bay of Plenty\/Waikato area manager Kym Raubenheimer.<\/p>\n
She suggested Tauranga follow Auckland Council\u2019s example, where the total area of the sign had to be within 2.2sq m.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t do it to us and make us just do one small size because it will be the death of three businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosie Stevenson, of ABC Photosigns, said the cost of making new frames would be \u201cquite killer, especially in this current economy\u201d.<\/p>\n
She supported having a flexible 2.2sq m area.<\/p>\n
Bower chief financial officer Dave Lathan said the real estate company wanted Tauranga\u2019s adopted size provisions withdrawn and a \u201cfresh\u201d consultation process done.<\/p>\n
He said the real estate industry had not been properly consulted about the change \u201cburied\u201d in an amendment.<\/p>\n
Replacing signs would be \u201cmore than a million-dollar problem\u201d.<\/p>\n
Tauranga Mayor Mah\u00e9 Drysdale said councillors had heard \u201cloud and clear\u201d the potential impact of putting a fixed dimension on real estate signs.<\/p>\n
The bylaw affected ratepayers selling \u201ca big asset\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we should be less restrictive and make life easier for a significant part of life that is selling and buying property.\u201d<\/p>\n
The council staff\u2019s recommendation was to retain the dimensions but to delay enforcement until February 1, 2028 to allow time for stakeholders to adjust.<\/p>\n
Councillors voted to consult on options for real estate sign dimensions up to 2.2sq m. No size limits would come into effect until a further decision was made, following consultation.<\/p>\n
Reprieve for Sunday closures <\/p>\n
Local Democracy Reporting reported last month the council would soon start closing the Greerton Library, the P\u0101p\u0101moa Library and the \u014ct\u016bmoetai Pool on Sundays<\/a> to save money. <\/p>\n At Tuesday\u2019s council meeting, councillors directed staff to identify alternative operational savings of an equivalent amount ($140,736 per annum) to allow them to remain open on Sundays.<\/p>\n Several councillors said the Sunday closures had been a frequent topic raised at recent public meetings to discuss the council\u2019s plan for the next financial year.<\/p>\n The Annual Plan 2026\/27 is due to be adopted on June 23.<\/p>\n The proposed rates rise is 7.5% after growth of 0.5%.<\/p>\n Fireworks ban to be consulted on<\/p>\n Councillors also voted on Tuesday to consult the community on banning fireworks in public places in Tauranga.<\/p>\n It comes after councillors agreed in March for staff to draft an amendment to the Street Use and Public Places Bylaw, banning the public from lighting fireworks<\/a> in council-owned and council-controlled places.<\/p>\n Auckland and Wellington already have similar bans in place.<\/p>\n Councillor Rod Taylor said banning fireworks was an important consultation.<\/p>\n \u201cTo a lot of pet owners, I think this is a huge thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Councillor Glen Crowther said he understood there would be lost enjoyment for some people, \u201cbut I think we\u2019ve got to that point\u201d. <\/p>\n Drysdale said he supported consultation but would like to see a national ban on fireworks.<\/p>\n He said he was \u201ca little bit torn\u201d because people were also being encouraged to live in smaller houses and more intensively, so were less able to use their backyards for fireworks and said: \u201cI do see the other side of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Omundsen, the council\u2019s regulatory and community services general manager, said consultation would take place in June and July.<\/p>\n In November 2024, a rural resident had to put down her horse<\/a> after he was spooked by Guy Fawkes fireworks.<\/p>\n A year later, the council closed Mauao<\/a> for several nights due to people setting off fireworks, despite a permanent fire ban.<\/p>\nTauranga Mayor Mah\u00e9 Drysdale, pictured at a council meeting last year. Photo \/ Alisha Evans<\/p>\n