60
INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING
AUSTRALIAN
STREETS AND
PARKS POISED
FOR LED INFLUX
Australia, along with the rest of the world, will witness large scale conversion of
conventional street and public lighting to LED technology, writes Bryan Douglas.
According to a report prepared for the Commonwealth
Government in 2011, there are approximately 2.28
million street lighting lamps in service in Australia, with
around 33 per cent on main roads and 67 per cent on
local roads. The annual energy cost of public lighting in
Australia exceeds $125 million (and more than $250
million including maintenance). Street lighting is the
single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from
local government, typically accounting for 30 to 60 per
cent of their greenhouse gas emissions.
Against this background Australia, along with the
rest of the world, will witness large scale conversion
of conventional street and public lighting to LED
technology. Because of their longevity, controllability
and above all efficiency, LEDs are now an attractive
substitute for conventional mercury vapour, high
pressure sodium, metal halide and linear and compact
fluorescent technologies used in minor roads and other
public spaces. However, while there is now suitable LED
product on the market for streets and other public places,
municipal authorities need to exercise caution when
investing in LED technology.
Govlink I Issue 1 2014
LED street lighting comes of age: Case studies
Case study 1: City of Sydney
The City of Sydney is in the process of replacing 6,500
conventional lights with LEDs in central Sydney, Glebe,
Darlinghurst, Zetland, Pyrmont, Kings Cross, Newtown
and Redfern. More than 2,600 street and park lights
have already been installed.
The City announced in August 2013 that it had saved
almost $300,000 and reduced energy use by more than
25 per cent since March 2012. Public lighting accounts
for one-third of the City’s annual electricity bill and a
large part of its greenhouse gas emissions.
Importantly, more than 90 per cent of people surveyed by
the City said they found the new lights appealing and threequarters said the LEDs white light improved visibility.
The NSW Government is following the City’s lead by
encouraging 41 councils across Sydney, the Central
Coast and the Hunter regions to work with Ausgrid to
implement similar LED lighting projects.