15 January 2015

The Circular Head Council will save about $5700 per year on lighting costs thanks to a change to LED lighting in Council’s offices.

General Manager Tony Smart said the initiative had also seen a significant lighting upgrade at the Smithton Sports Centre, which will increase the lifespan of the lighting.

“Council staff have replaced about 400 fluorescent tubes with LED tubes in the Council office, which will make a significant difference to our energy use,” Mr Smart said.

“The cost of doing so will be recouped in about two and a half years and has improved the lighting conditions for both staff and visitors.”

Mr Smart said the replacement of highbay lamps at the Smithton Sports Centre would also deliver dividends.

“The previous lighting at the centre was proving unreliable and maintenance costs were increasing,” Mr Smart said.

“And as the stadium lighting did not meet the Australian standard for competition basketball, Council sought professional lighting design to increase it to this standard which will be of benefit to the users of this centre.”

Mr Smart said the new lights would have a life span of 50,000 hours, which is about double the lifespan of standard lighting.