Mitchell Shire Council is taking another step towards a more financially efficient and environmentally sustainable future, with a project underway to replace more than 400 mercury vapour street lights with modern LED technology across the municipality.
As part of the works, 406 mercury vapour lamps will be replaced with energy-efficient LED luminaires over the coming months, starting in Beveridge and progressing north through Wallan, Wandong, Kilmore, Broadford and Seymour.
This investment, which is supported by a rebate from AusNet, will deliver significant long-term financial savings of up to $50,000 each year in electricity and maintenance costs. This equates to an estimated one million-dollar saving over the life of the lights.
The project is also a key action of Mitchell Shire Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan and will assist Council to reach its net zero greenhouse gas emission target by 2035.
Street lighting currently accounts for around 24 per cent of Council's non-landfill operational emissions, making the upgrade a significant step towards more sustainable operations.
Delivery of the project is expected to cut around 105 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years.
The new LED street lights are up to 86% more energy efficient than the current mercury vapour lamps and provide brighter, more focused light that improves visibility and safety for road users and pedestrians.
Delivery of the project also enables Council to meet the requirements of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The convention, which is an international treaty to reduce mercury pollution, includes phasing out the use of mercury added products such as mercury vapour street lights.
All old lights removed during the project will be disposed of responsibly, with approximately 98 per cent of materials recycled.
Glass from the globes will be recycled into home insulation products, mercury will be safely recovered and repurposed for dental manufacturing, and metals such as aluminium and steel melted down for reuse.
The changeover of each street light involves a single elevated work platform with two to three crew members. In most locations it takes less than 10 minutes to replace a street light, with more complex locations taking up to 30 minutes.
In most locations there will be minimal disruption to traffic, however crews may be required to close traffic lanes for a period of time.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said the project represents a practical and cost-effective way to deliver benefits for both residents and the environment.
"This is a smart investment that saves money for ratepayers, cuts emissions and improves lighting quality across our towns," he said.
"By replacing outdated mercury vapour lamps with efficient LEDs, we're reducing ongoing costs for our community and taking meaningful action on climate change.
"It's another example of Council listening to the community, acting on our Climate Emergency Action Plan and finding ways to strengthen the budget."
