Share your views on the draft Public Lighting Policy and Guidelines

Public lighting helps make many public spaces safer, more usable and enjoyable for everyone.

Surf Coast Shire Council is developing public lighting guidelines to assist our decision making about where, when and what type of public lighting we install and maintain across our region.

The guidelines will help us make consistent decisions about public lighting, in line with a defined set of principles.

The guidelines will also set minimum efficiency and standard design requirements for Council-managed public lighting in our shire.

Have your say

You can read the full Draft Public Lighting Guidelines in the document library on this page.

Feedback closes Friday 4 July.

If you'd like to provide feedback, please take our short survey. If you would like a hard copy of the survey posted to you, please call 5261 0600.

Objectives and guiding principles for Council-managed public lighting

The draft guidelines outline five objectives for public lighting on the Surf Coast, and seven principles to be applied when Council is considering or planning new public lighting.

Objectives:

1. Creating a safer night time environment for the community.
2. Improve the look and the feel of the townships within the Shire.
3. Make better use of open space.
4. Consist of assets that can be managed over their lifetime.
5. Embrace Council's commitment to environmental sustainability and a zero net emissions target.

Guiding Principles:

• Making better use of public open space.
• Assisting walking, cycling, public transport, and safe driving.
• Improving safety.
• Ensuring economically sustainable assets are installed and managed.
• Minimising the negative impacts of artificial lighting at night.
• Showcasing urban and natural features in an effective way.
• Maximising energy efficiency and minimising climate impacts.

Other key features of the draft guidelines and policy

The draft guidelines also provide:

• A list of responsibility for public lighting within Council;
• A process for determining if new lighting will be installed;
• Guidance and requirements for determining lighting types and pole types;
• An approval process for new public lighting;
• A process for complaints and requests about public lighting; and
• Maintenance procedures.

The draft guidelines have been written to comply with all relevant Australian laws and legislation, and with consideration of the National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife and the Dark Skies Places program.

They are designed for use by Council staff, and any external contractors with a formal role in the design and management of Council-managed public lighting in the Surf Coast Shire.

What types of lighting are included in the guidelines and policy?

All Council-managed public lighting will be bound by these guidelines.

Public lighting is external lighting that lights up a public place. It includes:

• roadway lighting
• car park lighting
• open space and park lighting
• sport ground lighting
• external lighting on public buildings

The guidelines will be applied when we are considering new installations, replacements and upgrades, and maintenance processes.

Which public lighting is not covered by these guidelines and policy?

Private lighting and lighting on State Government, Department of Transport and Planning managed roads are not bound by these guidelines and policy.