The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is encouraging the State and Federal Governments to join with local councils and advocate a switch to energy efficient street lighting.
MAV President, Councillor Bill McArthur, said Victoria has an estimated 330,000 local road street lights that use old lamps and are typically the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions for Local Government.
“Councils have worked hard since 2003 to secure approvals from energy distributors to introduce new energy efficient lights, but it will cost an estimated $120 million to fund a bulk changeover,” he said.
“Each new light fitting and installation costs between $350 and $450 and councils are urging other levels of Government to help fast track the replacement by contributing a minimum of $150 per light.
“New technology fluorescent lights provide an energy saving of around 70 per cent compared with the current 80 watt mercury vapour lamps.
“If the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments fund a quarter to a third of total upgrade costs, we will achieve a 78,000 tonne greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and a
$7 million cost saving, each year.
“Over the life of the lights, that equals 31.2 billion black balloons or 341,917 cars off the road for a year.”
The campaign is led by the MAV and Maribyrnong City Council, in partnership with over 40 other Victorian councils. A further 14 municipalities have passed motions of support for the campaign.
In the City of Maribyrnong, streetlights account for 2,525 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year, 40 per cent of its annual carbon emissions.
The majority of these lights are energy inefficient 80 watt mercury vapour lights, of similar inefficiency to the domestic light globes currently being phased out in Australian homes.
Efficient street lighting, such as T5 lights, have been trialled and are effective in a range of Melbourne/Victorian weather conditions.
T5s not only provide better quality lighting, they also use up to 69 per cent less energy.
Maribyrnong Mayor, Councillor Sel Sanli, said switching to energy efficient street lighting is a simple and effective way to combat climate change and help reduce carbon emissions.
“Street lights play an important role in keeping our community safe, however because of old inefficient technology, they are the biggest cause of carbon emissions for local councils,” he said.
“Through our commitment to becoming carbon neutral by the 2015 target, Council is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and we know tackling climate change is a very important concern for our residents too.”
The campaign website can be found at www.greenlightourstreets.org.au
