Reece plans sign, store at coast’s entry

Erin Pearson
A SECOND trade supplies store is set to greet visitors alongside Bunnings at Torquay’s northern entrance.
Reece Plumbing has submitted an application to build a two-storey building with an illuminated stand-alone sign over six metres high facing Surf Coast Highway.
The application also seeks approval for a second illuminated five-metre-wide sign over the store’s entry.
Reece’s application includes one smaller option for each sign to ensure the company could “comply with council policy”.
The application estimated the building at 6 Winki Way, in Torquay’s new industrial estate, would cost about $1.3 million.
Council has come under fire for amending its planning scheme behind closed doors in December to allow signs larger than 10 square metres. Residents feared the change would allow Bunnings to erect an oversized sign at Torquay’s entrance.
Bunnings has since lodged a planning application for a store in the industrial estate.