New street lights to save energy and money

THOUSANDS of seventeen-watt LED street lights will be installed across the City if the municipality’s 2021/22 Draft Budget is approved.

Powercor will retrofit 6750 lights worth $2 million as part of the City of Ballarat’s Carbon Neutrality and 100 per cent Renewables Action Plan 2019-2025.

Cr Belinda Coates said the technology will save money, as well as reduce emissions.

“The existing lights only last for four years, but these new LED street lights last for 20 years, so there’s less maintenance and change-over costs,” she said.

“They’re 80 per cent more efficient than the existing street lights too, so money saved from energy reduction and less maintenance is equivalent to $9.8 million over 20 years. It’s pretty big.

“They do shed more light… so there’s a better sense of safety for the streets as well.”

Cr Coates said recent community feedback has shown most people want to see local, State and Federal governments be more proactive in tackling climate change.

She describes these new street lights are “low hanging fruit;” an easy yet significant action the City can take on the pathway to carbon neutrality.

The move comes after councillors approved the retrofitting of up to 55 per cent of the city’s street lights, then valued at $1.37 million, in deal with Sylvania Schreder at council’s 2 December, 2020 meting.

The 2021/22 Draft Budget is out for community consultation. Residents are encouraged to submit feedback on the document and funding allocations by Monday, 7 June at 9am.

To have your say, visit mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au, post feedback labelled Draft Budget 2021/2022 to PO Box 655, Ballarat, Victoria, 3353, or email [email protected].

During the council meeting on Wednesday, 9 June, councillors will hear these submissions from the community.