More than 1,700 streetlights in Baw Baw Shire have had globes replaced with energy efficient LED lights since November.
The $1.22 million changeover project is partly funded by the Australian Government and Council’s 2014/15 Capital Works Program.
The changeover involves replacing the inefficient 80 watt mercury vapour lighting with 18 watt LED globes, offering long-term benefits to Council, the community and the environment.
The project has seen all 85 lights replaced in Yarragon and all 243 lights replaced in Trafalgar.
Warragul has had 1,010 lights replaced to date, and 425 lights have been replaced in Drouin.
Baw Baw Shire Council Director of Community Assets, Phil Cantillon, said the project is ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed by 30
April 2015.
“The replacement of globes across Yarragon and Trafalgar is now complete, and the changeover in Warragul and Drouin is almost completed.
“Longwarry, Neerim South, Mt Baw Baw and Rawson will be next and we anticipate the work will be finished two months before our initial 30 June
2015 target.
“The work crews are currently finishing up in Drouin and Warragul before moving to Longwarry this month.
“During this project, we’ve been working very closely with Council’s Environmental Voice group, the Baw Baw Sustainability Network and the
Warragul Police.
“These groups have assisted us greatly through ongoing community engagement and consultation, project development and delivery.”
The bulk public street lighting changeover project works towards Council’s goals for environmentally and financially sustainable public lighting throughout Baw Baw Shire.
As a result of the changeover, Council will make annual savings while reducing energy and greenhouse emissions by 77 percent.
“The new LED lights have a longer lifespan, which will significantly reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
“These lights also provide a greater uniformity of light along a street, increasing visibility and safety for our residents.”
