Construction will start next week to remove the existing green, goose-neck foreshore & Bay Trail lights between Station Pier in Port Melbourne and Kerferd Road in Albert Park. The existing goose-neck poles have reached the end of their asset life, with many poles failing in the last 12-months. Existing light levels are also inadequate and inconsistent.
New poles and LED lights will decrease power consumption, reduce maintenance, and improve lighting quality and security. The new LED lanterns are designed not to emit upward light pollution, consistent with dark-sky preservation requirements. Light temperature and colour is consistent with best-practice for the protection of fauna.
Construction signage will be installed at key locations along the foreshore to inform local residents, businesses and users of the Bay Trail. More information will be available on the Council’s website. Construction is expected to take four-months to complete (July to October 2019) with minimal disruption to the Bay Trail and footpaths. Lighting will be replaced in four stages to minimise overall disruption, starting at Station Pier.
Temporary lighting will be used in each stage to ensure that public safety is maintained while existing lights are decommissioned and new lights installed. The total budget for the project is $1,200,000.