Councillors have voted to replace more than 400 existing mercury lights in coming weeks, in a move expected to significantly reduce energy costs.
“The decision to transition to LED street lighting is both financially and environmentally sound,” said Mayor Tony Francis.
“LED technology produces up to 75% less carbon emissions than the mercury vapour lights currently used, and has the potential to save Council up to 50% per month in operational expenditure.”
Street lighting is the single largest contributor to electricity use within the Borough of Queenscliffe, generating 206 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2016-17.
Council pays all operating costs for 325 streetlights and a further 117 on VicRoads-managed highways and roads.
Seven of the 325 Council street lights feature a style of fitting for which there is currently no approved LED equivalent available. Council has been advised that there may be an approved fitting available for these lights in the near future and will continue to pursue a complete transition to LED technology.
“Based on discussions with specialist consultants in the field, we believe that the Borough of Queenscliffe will be the first municipality to use LED technology for all Council street lighting,” said Cr Francis.