What is it?

Lighting the Regions Stage 2 is a partnership between 11 Victorian Councils, the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA), the Victorian Government and Ironbark Sustainability. The regional project involves replacing over 11,000 street lights with more energy-efficient Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Stage 2 built upon the initial Lighting the Regions project, which saw 16 local governments across north, west and central Victoria form a partnership to replace 23,000 street lights to more energy efficient LEDs.

Why did the councils choose these lights?

The LED lights have been selected by the councils based on energy efficiency, cost efficiency and suitability from the selection of products approved for use by Powercor, which is the distribution company that owns the lighting infrastructure across the region.

The lights have been tested to ensure they meet relevant Australian Standards regarding safety and light levels.

The new lights have:

  • Greater uniformity of light across and along the street
  • Better colour rendering and visibility
  • Less depreciation of light output over time
  • Less glare
  • Lower maintenance costs.
  • The benefits

    The new LEDs perform better, last longer and are between 32% and 82% more efficient than the existing lights (depending on their wattage).

    Lighting the Regions is expected to reduce street lighting energy use and costs – with approximately $19 million energy and capital costs to be saved by the partner councils over the lifetime of the assets (over 20 years). The project will reduce street lighting greenhouse gas emissions by around 64,283 tonnes. This is equal to removing 14,950 cars from the road for one year.

    Partnering councils

    The project is the initiative of the CVGA and includes the following councils:

  • Ballarat City Council
  • Buloke Shire Council
  • City of Greater Bendigo
  • Hepburn Shire Council
  • Macedon Ranges Shire Council
  • Mildura Rural City Council
  • Mount Alexander Shire
  • Pyrenees Shire Council
  • Southern Grampians Shire Council.
  • Who do I call if I have any questions about the works?

    You can find the full Lighting the Regions Final report on the CVGA website at:

    https://www.cvga.org.au/lighting-the-regions.html

    Please Contact Council if you have any queries on (03) 5036 2333.