The installation of LED street lighting in Tasmania could significantly reduce heavy metals’ pollution and cut local government’s energy usage by more than 50 per cent.
Independent candidate for Lord Mayor of Hobart Alderman Damon Thomas said Tasmania could lead the revolution in LED light replacement in Australia and in doing so, make a major contribution to environmental protection.
Alderman Thomas said 40 per cent of local government’s total carbon emissions came through street lighting and the change to LED technology would provide energy savings and reduce heavy metals from old technology lights going to land fills.
“In an environment which is being increasingly polluted through heavy metals we can remove one facet of this through the abolition of mercury and sodium light bulbs. These invariably end up in landfill, while most LEDlights contain no heavy metals.
“Mercury vapour lights have already been outlawed in a number of countries and inevitably, Australia will follow suit.
“Most of the 35,000 street lights in Tasmania are nearing the end of their life cycle and will soon need replacing. What stops us from removing these dinosaurs that are hazardous to our environment through heavy metal contaminates and inefficient in power consumption and replacing them with advanced efficient bright LED lighting?
“Studies in the United States has shown that replacement of mercury and sodium vapour lighting with LED lights cut electricity usage by 62 per cent with consequential cost savings.”
Alderman Thomas said there were also cost savings and reduced emissions as a result of lower servicing and replacement requirements for LED lights, as well as the benefits of the improved lighting aiding safety and public amenity.
“As soon as the Hobart City Council meets following the election, I will seek a formal report on the benefits of LED lighting and the savings that can be achieved through addressing the monopoly Aurora Energy currently enjoys for the provision of street lighting in Tasmania.
“This monopoly has allowed Aurora to resist moving to more efficient, low energy technology making councils and the community pay muchmore than it should for street lighting.
“Tasmania should look to be cutting edge and start to seriously address an obvious environmental, energy efficient and lower cost solution offered by LED street lighting,” Alderman Thomas said.
