Lighting up the future

Ōpōtiki residents can expect to see contractors safely harnessed into baskets high above the streets of Ōpōtiki in the coming weeks as Ōpōtiki District Council rolls out LED lighting across the District.

Council's Project Manager for installation, Janan Nirainjanan, said that 400 LED units had been purchased and they would be rolled out over the coming months.

"We're starting work in the township but will work our way around the district so other smaller centres like Te Kaha and Waihau Bay will get the benefits of the new lights as well. We expect the project to take around 2-3 months and most residents will have new lights before the longer winter months," Mr Nirainjanan said.

LED (light-emitting diode) lights have a number of advantages over the older style street lights - they last longer and use very little power, reducing both maintenance and power costs. Current lamps need replacing every few years, but LEDs have a lifespan of about 20 years.

Council is also making the most of the current New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy for LED installation which will see 85% of costs covered by NZTA in addition to generous funding by the Eastern Bay Energy Trust.

"Aside from the contractors moving through the streets working on the lights, most people will only notice a slight change in the colour of the lights in their street and the smaller 'heads' at the top of the poles," Mr Nirainjanan said.