Streetlight agreement lights the way

All residents across the City will soon have brighter and higher quality street lighting and improved public safety thanks to an agreement between Fairfield City Council and Endeavour Energy, the electricity network powering greater Western Sydney, to replace all inefficient street light bulbs across the City to LEDs.

Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone said as well as better lighting and safer streets with switching to LEDs, Council will see savings of more than $693,000  a year in energy costs which will be passed on to ratepayers.

“We are one of the first councils to partner with Endeavour Energy to convert all our 15,300 streetlights to the LED lighting. The work has been fast tracked and is due for completion in about three months,” Mayor Carbone said.

“The new lights also don’t need to be replaced as often, lasting 5 to 10 times longer than the existing streetlights. They use significantly less energy, reducing emissions, and are cheaper to maintain – saving ratepayers’ further money.

“Council is investing $1.2 million to switch the streetlights over - an investment that will more than pay for itself within a few years. This project is another example of Council’s financial management leading us to have some of the lowest rates in Sydney.”

The new lights also have the ability to use built-in smart technology that alerts to faults, helping to ensure quick repairs and less blackout time for residents.

“Switching to energy efficient LED lighting will have both environmental and financial benefits for the Fairfield community,” said Endeavour Energy’s Chief Asset and Operating Officer Scott Ryan.

“The new LED lights are up to 60 per cent more efficient. This will see Fairfield Council achieve a reduction of 3,377 tonnes in CO2 each year – that’s equivalent to taking 1,500 cars off the road.

“We are applaud Fairfield Council for being one of the first council’s within our network to embrace the environmental benefits of this initiative.