Community safety is one of councils’ primary concerns, and lighting in public spaces plays a major part in creating a sense of security for locals.
While it’s important to ensure that public spaces are well lit, when designing outdoor lighting systems councils must adhere to the Australian Standards for public lighting and obtrusive light spill.
The standards, AS/NZS 1158 and AS 4282, specifically state that all lighting of carparks, streets and other public spaces must be designed to minimise light spillage, to preserve the quality of the night sky, and to prevent light spilling into areas not intended to be lit, such as homes or wildlife areas.
Not only do light programs need to meet the standards when they are designed and installed, councils must regularly audit their public lighting to ensure that they continue to meet the requirements over time.
Designing quality light solutions
In order to create attractive, energy-efficient and standards-compliant lighting systems, councils should work collaboratively with design and installation contractors to create the best quality public spaces.
Public Lighting Design (PLD) is a leading lighting designer, with offices based in Melbourne and Sydney, which regularly works with local governments to develop tailor made lighting setups for communities across Australia.
The PLD team can prepare sustainable and aesthetic concept lighting plans that comply with Australian Standards. PLD tailors its solutions to meet the specific needs of each project, improves safety and aesthetics, delivering optimal lighting levels, ensuring energy efficiency, and minimising light spillage.
The PLD team can also conduct lighting audits to verify that existing lighting systems comply with the standards. PLD delivers a detailed report outlining any areas of non-compliance and providing cost-effective recommend actions to address the issues. With these comprehensive assessments, councils can rest easy knowing that their lighting installations meet the necessary regulations and safety requirements.
Working together to light the way
PLD has worked with numerous councils on their lighting projects, including:
Frankston City Council – Seaford Wetlands Bridge
PLD was commissioned by Frankston City Council to oversee the lighting design for its new Seaford Wetlands Bridge.
After undertaking a thorough risk assessment of the project, PLD presented Frankston Council with a range of potential lighting options. In the end Council chose a wildlife friendly linear LED lighting system on the bridge handrails, maintaining the areas significance as a natural habitat while elevating both the bridge’s aesthetic appeal and its functional lighting.
Hume City Council – Roxburgh Park Drive duplication
Hume City Council needed a fast and compliant design for the lighting of its Roxburgh Park Drive duplication project.
Working together with Council and its contractors, PLD produced utility accredited designs in accordance with the standards that resulted in the timely and efficient completion of the project, which provided much improved connectivity and safety for the community.
Mitchell Shire Council – Wallan Tennis Court
Mitchell Shire Council contracted PLD to assist with the design and upgrade of the Wallan Tennis Court’s to improve safety and encourage greater participation.
PLD thoroughly assessed the existing lighting infrastructure to determine opportunities for upgrades, then delivered all the information to Mitchell Shire Council, which used it to create a tender for the project.
After the project’s completion, PLD conducted an additional audit to reaffirm the design’s effectiveness and ensure it remained compliant following construction.
For more information, visit publiclightingdesign.com.au