A $200,000 paint job has begun, aimed at reducing the glare from the controversial coalshed roof at the Port of Tauranga. The 10,000 sq m area of the steep roof is being painted an off-white colour - bringing relief to sportsfield users and nearby residents. The glare from the aluminium roofwas not anticipated when the coalshed was built but the Tauranga Hockey Association and some local residents wrote to the building owner with complaints. The glare was distracting hockey players in mid-afternoon games and streamed into the kitchens and lounges of houses along the Oceanview Rd ridge. Local company Tauranga Protective Coatings Ltd is contracted to complete the paint job, which started last week and is expected to take a month. The coal shed is 150m long and 55m wide and has been controversial ever since building began last August. Oceanview Rd residents had some of their views to the Kaimai Range blocked and felt they should have been consulted over the height of the building. The coalshed, eventually, will be largely hidden from motorists travelling along Totara St. A $50,000 landscaping plan was being finalised between Port of Tauranga and Tauranga City Council.
