It is expected that the new LED streetlights will save 20,000,000 kilowatt-hours per year in energy consumption. Photo: File.
Thirty per cent of Canberra’s street lights have now been replaced with what the ACT Government believes are smarter, more reliable and efficient LED lights.
Under the government’s streetlight contract with Electrix signed in May 2018, over 24,500 of Canberra’s 80,000 streetlights have now been upgraded to environmentally friendly and brighter LED lamps. The rollout of new LED streetlights across the ACT officially began in September last year. Weston was the first suburb to have the energy-efficient lighting installed.
Minister for Roads and Active Travel Chris Steel said the advantages of upgrading to LED lighting included a longer lifespan of up to 20 years, improved energy efficiency, lower maintenance requirements and greater visibility.
“The rollout of new streetlights has generated a 32 per cent energy saving, three per cent more than forecast by this time,” Mr Steel said.
“Unlike regular streetlights, the light output from LED luminaires is highly directional, which means more light can be directed towards where it is needed, resulting in less wasted and nuisance light. ”
Mr Steel said he expects the streetlights will eventually provide a reduction of 20,000,000 kilowatt-hours per year in energy consumption.
A new digital Central Management System has also been developed, with real-time monitoring that will automatically detect and notify of failures such as a blown bulb or cable problem, allowing repairs to be fixed within a day.
Around a million square metres of roads will also be resurfaced this financial year. Photo: File.
Mr Steel also announced the beginning of the annual road resurfacing program which will see over 230 lane kilometres, or approximately 1,000,000 square metres of roads, resurfaced this financial year, starting in Tuggeranong and Weston Creek.
Streets in 21 suburbs will be resurfaced this financial year at a cost of $16.2 million.
A number of major roads will also be resealed as part of the program, including sections of Isabella Drive, Tuggeranong Parkway, Kingsford Smith Drive, Belconnen Way, Gungahlin Drive and Well Station Drive.
A further 100,000 square metres of other resurfacing works, including asphalt overlays and microsurfacing, will be conducted on Tuggeranong Parkway, Streeton Drive and Belconnen Way.
“Our continued investment in road resurfacing ensures that we can meet our target of four per cent of municipal roads and five per cent of main roads being resurfaced this year to keep Canberrans moving,” Mr Steel said.
“Resurfacing our roads ensures the life of our roads and improves safety by covering small cracks and imperfections, making sure Canberrans can continue to move around our city safely and efficiently.”
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