Council chases emission reduction target - new LED lights on major roads

Upgrading major road lights from incandescent to LED over the next 18 months will save Yarra Ranges Council $346,000 per year.

Council will transfer $2.3 million from the capital expenditure program – community futures fund to a new major road lights replacement program over the 2018/19 and 2019/20 financial years.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Tony Stevenson said he was excited for Council to begin these works to help achieve Council’s target of reducing greenhouse emissions by 30 per cent on 2000 levels by 2020.

“The replacement of 2,150 or so lights will lock in a further 1,000 tonnes per year of emission reductions giving us extra confidence that our target will be achieved,” Cr Stevenson said.

“Some of the operational savings from this replacement program will be directed to the street lighting budget to alleviate cost pressures we are experiencing.

“Recent increases in electricity prices have added about $100,000 per year to our streetlighting bill but the ongoing savings from this project will offset that.

“The remainder of the savings will go back to the Community Futures Fund, to repay the $2.3 million investment over a 10 year period.”

Cr Stevenson said Council’s Carbon Management Program had already delivered a Streetlight Upgrade that replaced more than 6,500 residential streetlights with an investment of $1.8 million.

“That project has delivered $1.9 million in accrued savings from 2014 to date, with the reduction in demand for electricity alleviating the impact of rising electricity prices,” he said.

“This first streetlight upgrade achieved an average 60 per cent reduction in energy use, predominantly in residential streets, while maintaining the relevant standards.

“Upgrading the major road lights to LED across the municipality is expected to reduce the lighting energy use by 50 per cent and provide longer serviceable lifespans, further reducing operational costs. 

“Unlike incandescent lights, LED lights have no element to burn out. They have a longer life and are significantly more efficient while delivering the same light levels.”

Council is negotiating with VicRoads to co-fund the upgrade of lights on roads where both Council and VicRoads share responsibility for road lighting.

Read more about the decision in the 11 December Council Agenda (PDF, 22MB)