Update 4pm, 23rd April: The Karioi Classic and NO SEAFOOD GATHERING signs have been removed.
Raglan community groups have had their event signs removed from the Water Tower signboard by Hamilton based Sign Crew. The signs of the Raglan Rugby Club and the Raglan Old School Arts Centre have gone. A no seafood gathering sign remains along with a sign for the Karioi Classic. Raglan Area School contracted the Hamilton company to do a revamp of the signboard highlighting the school.
A crane was used on Monday to remove the old sign structure and install the new one. The new signboard has an illuminated sign in the top left corner. At a recent meeting of the CONNECT umbrella group, Bronwyn Haitana from Raglan Area School said, “The new Community Connection Noticeboard is ready to go. We received $10k funding from Meridian, a $10k donation and $8k from a variety of sources. This electronic Noticeboard will be available for community use to advertise activities and events but no commercial advertising will be allowed.”
Tim Harty, Waikato District Council General Manager Service Delivery said, “The sign has been removed and replaced by the school, in accordance with the existing resource consent. Council understands that it is supported by the local community.”
The original resource consent did not cover an illuminated sign and specified a requirement that all lettering on the sign must be greater than 124mm so it could be read from a moving vehicle. The new sign does not appear to comply with the original resource consent.
The original sign structure was established by Peter Storey, chair of the Raglan Community Charitable Trust. Peter discussed the recent proposed changes to the signboard with the school and said that, “The school were told that any changes must comply with the consent and that the Arts Centre sign and room for two more must remain…..” The only community sign on the signboard is one for the Karioi Classic event.
Rodger Gallagher, Chair of Raglan Community Arts Council said, “We are the only community organisation that have supported the use of the water tower signboard from day one. When it was first put up 10 years ago, nobody else wanted to use it. Over the years we have invested a considerable sum in signs for the board. Earlier this year we spent further money on upgrading it. Our sign was removed without any discussion.”