Lighting Up the Night: Council's LED Streetlight Rollout

Over recent months, Council and Essential Energy have been coordinating the replacement of “old” globes in streetlights across the whole Shire with new LED versions. It’s part of a much larger rollout program occurring in many councils across New South Wales.

The changeover is beneficial because LEDs provide better lighting in public spaces. This translates to greater safety for pedestrians and vehicles and can have a reduction in crime in troubled areas.

Not only do LEDs have longer lifespans, but they are also more cost-effective and far more efficient than previous technologies. Where older lighting systems, such as HID lamps, could fade by as much as 70% over 10,000 burning hours, LEDs continue to be consistent and are a more reliable lighting source.

The installation of LEDs is good news for stargazers. Efficient LEDs cut down on light pollution, meaning more detail can be seen in the night sky through a telescope. Light pollution can also be harmful to nocturnal wildlife.

Presently in the Moree Plains, around 1,078 streetlights have been converted to LEDs and another 802 are still to go. The rest are expected to be completed in the next couple of months.