Guyra Shire is one of seven councils in the Northern Tablelands to be selected for the installation of energy efficient street lighting which could save in excess of $200,000 per annum, and offset Essential Energy plans to increase street light maintenance charges.

In all, 4700 new energy efficient street lights will be installed in Armidale Dumaresq, Guyra, Walcha, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, Tenterfield and Gwydir council areas.

The Northern Lights Project run by Regional Development Australia–Northern Inland (RDANI) has received over $500,000 funding from the Australian Government. It involves the installation of new street lights, and the employment of an Education Officer to assist households and businesses to reduce their electricity costs.

David Thompson from RDANI is overseeing the project and stated that the choice of the type of street light to be installed is critical to the energy cost saving achieved.

“We having been working with Essential Energy on a plan to have LED lights installed, rather than Compact Fluorescents,” he said. “A good quality LED will save councils significantly more money through lower energy and maintenance costs.”

“We have around 4,400 older 50 and 80 watt mercury vapour lights in the seven council areas that are due to be changed and these can readily be replaced with 22-26 watt LEDs.  I have calculated that the resulting energy cost saving would more than offset the proposed light maintenance cost increases. The capital cost of these lights is expected to be higher than Compact Fluorescent luminaires, but this is offset by lower energy and maintenance costs.” said Mr Thompson.

The project represents a true example of collaboration between the three tiers of government – Commonwealth, State and local - and is believed to be one of the first major roll-outs of LED street lighting in regional Australia.