The ACT Government owns more than 80,000 lights on streets, footpaths, arterial roads and in various public parks and other open spaces around the ACT. Public lighting is the ACT Government’s highest use of electricity (25%) and produces 18% of the Government’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Carbon Neutral Government Framework noted the importance of energy efficiency upgrades of streetlighting.
The ACT Government approached the market for a complete management solution for our streetlights, delivering energy efficiency upgrades, as well as a ‘backbone’ platform for future Smart City options.
Through improved energy efficiency, the Government will consume less electricity and significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Upgrading the Territory’s streetlights will give us a safer, more sustainable, leading digital city.
Streetlight maintenance
Transport Canberra and City Services owns over 80,000 streetlights and footpath lights in the ACT. Electrix Pty Ltd carry out streetlight maintenance.
Current streetlight maintenance objectives are focused on protecting public safety, improving levels of service and reducing energy consumption.
Streetlight requests
Requests to install lighting in urban areas that are received from members of the public are assessed using 3 key criteria.
- Strategic with weighting of 40%, including consistency with:
- ACT Government Sustainable Transport Policy
- ACT Government Territory Plan
- ACT Heritage Register
- Location Specific Master Plan
- Special Requirements - National Capital Plan
- City Renewal Authority
- Environmental with weighting of 20%, including:
- impact on trees
- light pollution
- net energy consumption impact
- flora and fauna
- Community with weighting of 40%, including considerations around:
- security
- public safety (i.e. trips and falls)
- road safety (i.e. pedestrian crossing)
Reporting lighting faults
Any information you can provide about a fault or outage can help us fix the problem sooner. If you see a fault please call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 and avoid unnecessary contact. Alternatively, streetlight repairs can be reported via Fix My Street.
Canberrans are reminded that like the electrical devices in your home such as the toaster or kettle, streetlights and other public electric assets can become a hazard when faulty. The ACT Government is committed to providing safe and reliable public assets and the community’s help in identifying faults will allow us to take appropriate action sooner.
Energy Performance Contract
The ACT Government has entered into an Energy Performance Contract for the operation, maintenance and upgrade of the streetlight network over a seven year period with Electrix Pty Ltd. A significant proportion of Canberra’s streetlight network will be upgraded to LED, significantly increasing electrical safety and improving energy efficiency.
You can contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or via the feedback link on the Access Canberra website.
Current streetlight defects
Streetlight defects are identified through a number of activities such as night patrol inspections, by the public and ACT Government officers and contractors. Once the ACT Government receives a request the required works are programmed by the streetlight repair contractor. In certain circumstances, timeframes can be longer due to the complexity of repairs required.
As part of the Streetlight Energy Performance Contract, Electrix Pty Ltd have identified a number of streetlights that will be replaced with energy efficient lights and produce an energy saving. The Energy Performance Contract replacement program will replace a significant proportion of streetlights which will include main road lights.
Ongoing works
Upgrades include a new smart Control Maintenance Management System. The system can self-diagnose problems with streetlights and can optimise maintenance by increasing efficiency and saving energy.
LED lamps have an expected life of 20 years which is far above the 4-8 year life expectancy for some of the current streetlights.
The upgrades will improve the energy efficiency of public lighting in Canberra which is a key strategic action for the ACT Government. These upgrades will contribute towards reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, and support our move towards zero net emissions.
Current streetlight maintenance objectives are focused on protecting public safety, improving levels of service and reducing energy consumption.
Learn more about streetlighting and how to report faults.
