Blacktown City Council Completes Largest Residential Street Light Upgrade Program in Australia

Strategic Insights -

Blacktown City Council, working in conjunction with Endeavour Energy, has completed a massive street light upgrade program, resulting in significant emissions reductions and cost savings for ratepayers. The project, 'Light Years Ahead', has seen the upgrading of 12,000 street lights to low-emission, cost-effective LED lights. The initiative has achieved a cumulative street light cost saving of $848,000 to date, with an expected total cost saving of $8.5 million over the 20-year life of the lights.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 'Light Years Ahead' project has resulted in a massive reduction in emissions, with a cumulative saving of 2,750 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) so far, equivalent to removing 650 cars from the roads.
  • The project has achieved a significant cost saving for the Council, with a cumulative savings of $848,000 and an expected total cost saving of $8.5 million over 20 years.
  • The LED lights have produced far less emissions than the previous lighting system, resulting in a substantial reduction in carbon footprint.
  • The project was completed 6 months ahead of schedule, providing additional savings in dollars and emissions.
  • The upgrading of 12,000 street lights is one of the largest residential street light upgrade programs in Australia.
  • The project is part of Blacktown City Council's efforts to achieve a zero-net emissions target by 2030 for Council's operational electricity, fuel, and gas use.
  • The Council has also increased its rooftop solar energy production by over 2,000% through the installation of 1,800 solar panels across 16 sites.
  • The Council has established a network of 'heat refuges' to provide shelter for vulnerable residents during extreme heatwaves and is involved in various projects to reduce 'urban heat'.

Statistics:

  • 2,750 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduced so far
  • 650 cars removed from the roads equivalent to the emissions savings
  • Cumulative street light cost saving of $848,000 to date
  • Expected total cost saving of $8.5 million over 20 years
  • 68,000 tons of CO2 emissions reduced over the 20-year shelf life of the lights
  • Equivalent of removing 16,000 cars from the roads over the 20-year period
  • 1,800 solar panels installed across 16 sites increasing rooftop solar energy production by over 2,000%

Sources:

  • Blacktown City Council news release
  • Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM (no date mentioned in the original text)
  • Blacktown City Council's climate emergency declaration (February 2022)