For some time Council has been tackling the task of upgrading the 7.6 metre & 4.0 metre tall lights in Bargara’s foreshore park and on The Esplanade. The old lighting head units are now over a decade old and the salt air environment has taken its toll with their maintenance being hampered by the limited availability of replacement pasts.
Without doubt though, the major concern has been to ensure that any replacement is turtle-friendly and both environmentally and economically efficient.
Whilst an application has been submitted under Round 2 of the Federal Government’s ‘Community Energy Efficiency Program’ for projects throughout the region, Council has already upgraded 11 lightpoles on the Bargara foreshore with a further 4 being upgraded at Neilson Park today.
In my opinon, these LED fittings would have to represent the ultimate solution as they not only emit a comparable lux (light emission) rating, but are also extremely ‘friendly’ for our turtle visitors, cheaper to install/replace and around 80% more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Keep your fingers crossed that our application for federal funding is approved so that further efficient upgrades to our foreshore lighting can be carried out including our shelter sheds and toilet blocks.
In the meantime, full marks to Council’s Electrical and Natural Resource staff who have been working hard behind the scenes to address the foreshore lighting issue and who have been instrumental in putting together our funding application.