With the Rifle Range and Windermere Roads roundabout nearing completion, Bundaberg Regional Council is trialing cost-effective lighting at the intersection which will also decrease impacts on marine turtles.
Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesperson Cr Tony Ricciardi said these lights would be assessed over coming months to determine how appropriate they would be for wider use in the coastal district.
“This roundabout and subsequent coastal linking road is a major project where we need lighting to a high standard,” Cr Ricciardi said.
“The lights installed on this roundabout are highly energy efficient LED lights which meet Australian Standards for street lighting.
“They are widely used overseas near beaches where marine turtles nest.”
The red lighting installed at the roundabout has been designed to provide the closest wavelength output to the yellow lights previously recommended as ‘turtle friendly’.
Those lights, installed at Bargara and Oaks Beach, were low pressure sodium lights, but because of their very limited availability and short lifespan, Council has been searching for a better alternative.
Natural Resources portfolio spokesperson Cr Danny Rowleson said it was essential that Council investigated ways to protect our endangered marine turtles.
“Living in a region as naturally diverse as ours, we need to be conscious of the environmental impacts of light glow from increased development,” Cr Rowleson said.
“In future, Council will also be rolling out upgrades to existing street lighting to prevent light spillage and provide more energy efficient LED lights throughout the region.”
ENDS