Public Lighting Policy
Version 1.0
January 2013
Table of Contents
1Objectives
2Application of policy
3Council Plan context
4Illumination
4.1Illumination standard
4.2Illumination of street features
5Local government road classifications
6Standard lantern types and locations
6.1Arterial roads
6.2Urban Link and Collector roads
6.3Rural Link and Collector roads
6.4Access roads
6.5Rural roads
6.6Local roads in Landscape Interest and Farming zones
6.7Local roads in low density residential developments
7Lighting of reserves and lineal parks
7.1Locations and spacing of lights
7.2Lighting grid available
7.3Solar lights – remote locations
8Lighting of sports ovals and playing surfaces
9Car Parks
10New subdivisions and developments
10.1Decorative Lighting
10.2Type of Decorative pole and lantern
1Objectives
The care and management of street lighting is undertaken by Nillumbik Shire Council with the exception ofVicRoads declared main roads, where agreed locations and cost sharing arrangements have been negotiated.
The objective of the public lighting policy is to ensure that the quality, consistency and energy efficiency of public lighting in Nillumbik meets the appropriate standards to ensure safety and security to all sectors of the community. In the provision of adequate lighting levels to meet the needs of Council and the community, the following key principles will be considered:
- provide illumination to enable pedestrians, cyclists and drivers to readily identify all fixed and moving objects in their vicinity in an urban environment;
- ease of maintenance and replacement;
- energy saving;
- minimisation of upward and sideways glare and spill light; and
- triple bottom line analysis.
In the provision of public lighting for the Shire, it is an objective to strive for a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the use of energy efficient public lighting systems and the reduction of wasted energy.
Council will work to encourage the adoption of new, energy efficient alternatives to the current list of standard lights, providing they meet or exceed the performance of existing standard lights.
Solar powered lights will be considered for installation where they offer a viable alternative to traditional lighting installations. In cases where there may be a considerable cost in providing an electricity supply to the site, these lights should be recommended to avoid such a cost.
2Application of policy
All new public lighting within the Nillumbik Shire Council will aim to be consistent with the minimum requirements specified by the relevant Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1158).
As public lighting is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions for local government, the assessment will include seeking opportunities to select energy efficient public lighting luminaires and lamps. There is a need to advocate for approval by the distribution businesses of energy efficient lighting and this policy will be reviewed as new technology / practices are introduced and approved.
3Council Plan context
The Council Plan 2009-2013 states:
Goal 2 – Our environment
A sustainable and well managed natural and built environment
Strategy 2 – Sustainability and climate change
2.1.6Encourage and inform the community regarding waste minimisation, energy reduction and water conservation and reuse through education programs.
2.1.8Consider and respond to the impacts of climate change on Council and community programs and services.
Goal 4 – Our Council
A respected and accountable Council, committed to innovative and continuous improvement.
Strategy 6 – Asset management
4.1.24Further develop sound asset management policy and plans that meet financial and environmental standards.
4Illumination
4.1Illumination standard
The provision of adequate general illumination over the area of the street between property lines is to:
a)enable safe and comfortable pedestrian movement;
b)identification of premises with reasonable appearance;
c)amenity to surrounding areas;
d)discourage illicit behaviour; and
e)enable the safe passage of vehicles.
4.2Illumination of street features
Adequate general illumination, appropriate location and orderly layout of lanterns will assist with the identification of street features comprising:
a)roadway features, especially kerbs, footpaths and carriageways;
b)obstruction of or abrupt changes to footpaths and carriageways;
c)carriageway intersections;
d)traffic calming devices;
e)public transport facilities; and
f)pedestrian crossings.
Street lighting will not be installed for the security or to aid the location of private property. In these cases residents are advised to install lighting on their properties to satisfy their requirements at no cost to Council.
5Local government road classifications
Roads within Nillumbik Shire Council have the following classifications. These classifications govern the type of lanterns used.
a)Arterial
b)Urban Link and Collector
c)Rural Link and Collector
d)Access
6Standard lantern types and locations
Street lighting and the type of lanterns is determined by the road classification. These classifications and lanterns are detailed below.
6.1Arterial roads
150 to 250 watt high pressure sodium vapour lanterns.
Arterial roads are VicRoads managed. Street lighting is cost shared between VicRoads and Nillumbik Shire Council.
6.2Urban Link and Collector roads
100 to 250 watt high pressure sodium vapour lanterns.
For roads with overhead power lines,lights are to be placed at intersections,where possible, and on every second power pole. Dangerous locations on road reservations will be considered separately and given due consideration by Council.
6.3Rural Link and Collector roads
Minimum street lighting to be provided, namely through rural townships and at the junction of arterial roads.
Energy efficient 14W or 24W fluorescent or 32W or 42W compact fluorescent (CF) lanterns to be provided throughout the township on each alternate pole.
150 watt high pressure sodium vapour lanterns or equivalent to be provided at the junction of rural Link and Collector roads with arterial roads if there is justification to do so and in rural areas at locations such as community halls, general stores and at road locations if there is perceived danger to vehicles and pedestrians.
6.4Access roads
Energy efficient 14W or 24W fluorescent or 32W or 42W compact fluorescent (CF) lanterns to be provided in general areas.
150 watt high pressure sodium vapour lanterns or equivalent at intersections, roundabouts, speed humps and traffic diversions, where appropriate.
Lights are to be placed at intersections and, if possible, on every second power pole in streets with overhead power lines. Additional lighting will be given due consideration where there is a proven or perceived ‘black spot’ and where it is deemed necessary.
Lights are to be placed at an average of 90 metres spacing, or at two to four allotment spacing, in streets with underground power.
Requests for additional lighting should be made in writing and will require a Council officer to make a site assessment and prepare a report with recommendations, for due consideration. The applicant will be advised accordingly.
6.5Rural roads
Energy efficient 14W or 24W fluorescent or 32W or 42W compact fluorescent (CF) lanterns to be provided in rural or semi-rural townships.
Proposed installation of street lighting on rural or semi-rural roads will require a Council officer to make a site assessment and prepare a report with recommendations, for due consideration. In general, the following will apply in those roads as described below.
6.6Local roads in Landscape Interest and Farming zones
Lighting will only be provided if there is a night time safety problem, such as limited visibility.
6.7Local roads in low density residential developments
Street lighting to be installed to overcome safety issues. If the street lighting is required for other reasons, it will only be considered if more than two thirds of the residents are in favour of the extra lighting.
In these cases, the standard of lighting to be provided shallbe energy efficient 14W or 24W fluorescent or 32W or 42W compact fluorescent (CF) lanterns to be placed on alternative poles. Where lighting may be visible for some distance, alterations to standard lanterns may be possible at Council’s discretion.
7Lighting of reserves and lineal parks
Nillumbik Council has a network of integrated pedestrian and cycle pathways located in reserves and lineal parks throughout the municipality. The following conditions apply to these areas, where it is deemed lighting for safety issues is required.
7.1Locations andspacing of lights
Lights shall be located at close proximity to the pathway and where appropriate. The spacing of the lights in existing Council reserves shall be determined by Council and will be governed by pedestrian and cyclist safety only.
7.2Lighting grid available
Where access to the grid lighting is available, energy efficient 14W or 24W fluorescent or 32W or 42W compact fluorescent (CF) lanterns to be provided mounted on a standard approved pole or on that specified in Section10.2 for non-standard type street lighting.
7.3Solar lights – remote locations
Where access to the grid lighting system is not available, energy efficient 14W or 24W fluorescent or 32W or 42W compact fluorescent (CF) lanterns shall apply. The lantern and solar panel shall be mounted on a standard approved pole or on that specified in section 10.2 for non-standard type street lighting.
8Lighting of sports ovals and playing surfaces
Sports lighting should be designed and installed so that the applicable visual tasks can be comfortably performed by both the participants and the officials.
Specifications for floodlighting are based on the type of sport being played, the speed of the ball,the speed of the participants and the officials critical to the tasks. Such tasks will vary from seeing a fast moving, small ball (e.g. tennis) to seeing a slower moving, large ball (e.g. basketball). The dimensions of the playing area will determine the best locations for luminaries in order to meet standards required for the particular sport and to minimise glare.
Installation of sports floodlighting must meet the luxlevel standards set by the Australian Standards for Sports Lighting.
Consideration should be given for timers to be installed for curfews and to the surrounding environment especially local fauna.
9Car Parks
Car parks associated with sporting facilities, recreation areas, community facilities, shopping centres and other public areas used at night should be lit with adequate standard lighting such as 150 Watt High Pressure Sodium Vapour lanterns or preferably energy efficient equivalent luminaires and lamps positioned to cover the whole car park. Residential amenity is to be considered in designing the lighting layout to ensure that light spill does not create problems.
10New subdivisions and developments
New subdivisions have underground power as a condition upon their development.
It is Council’s preference that new subdivisions install standard, non-decorative light poles and lanterns in line with the service provider’s standard maintenance agreement.
Lighting in the subdivision will be activated when all construction works, as detailed in the planning permit, have been completed to the satisfaction of Council and any other relevant authority. This is to prevent vandalism in the estate. Street lighting is installed for vehicle, cycling and pedestrian safety and not for the safety of private property.
Under normal circumstances, open space is required as part of the planning permit conditions for new subdivisions and developments. Pathways through these areas may be required as part of the planning permit.
Under these circumstances, lighting will be required adjacent to the pathways at a spacing of 80 metres fed by an underground power supply. The lantern shall be mounted on a standard approved pole or on that specified in section 10.2 for non-standard type street lighting.
Consideration will be given to the use of solar powered lighting in remote areas of open space within the development site.
10.1Decorative Lighting
The intent of Nillumbik Shire Council is to limit the number of different styles of non-standard hardware used in the municipality.
However, a number of decorative poles and lanterns have been approved by SP Ausnet and the Australian Energy Regulator for installation in new locations. These fittings will be assessed by Council on an individual basis as outlined in Section 10.2 below.
Developers may apply to install decorative lighting and seek an exemption from the installation of standard, non-decorative light poles under extenuating circumstances. Each application shall be assessed on its relative merits and the applicant shall be advised of Council’s decision within 20 working days. Should an exemption be approved, a tariff contribution of 100 per cent of the cost to replace all poles and lanterns installed in the subdivision is to be forwarded to Council to cover the cost of future repairs prior to the issuing of a Statement of Compliance.
In the event that decorative lighting poles are damaged beyond reasonable repair, Council shall replace them with a standard, non-decorative light pole and lantern and the future maintenance requirements shall be handed to the service provider.
10.2Type of Decorative pole and lantern
Refer to SP Ausnet’s Document No. EDS 10-02 of February 2011, which lists the approved non-standard (decorative) poles and lanterns.
In each application for installation, refer to the guidelines outlined in Section 10.1 above.