LED light upgrade starts in Ōtaki next week

Ōtaki will be one of the first areas to benefit from the Council’s switch to more energy-efficient street lighting.

From Monday 9 October street lamps in Ōtaki will be replaced with new white light-emitting diode (LED) lights.

Infrastructure Services Group Manager Sean Mallon says the conversion is being made possible as a result of a one-off Government subsidy.

“The NZ Transport Agency will contribute 85 per cent of the estimated $1 million cost to convert to LED lights across the district.

“LED lights are more expensive, but they provide better illumination and draw more than 50 per cent less power.

“They also have a much longer shelf life, around 20 years compared to four to five years for a sodium vapour street lamp, which means they don’t need to be replaced as often and the cost to run and maintain street lighting is reduced.”

Converting the lights in Ōtaki is expected to take around three months. Council contractors will start down at Ōtaki Beach and will work their way towards the township.

Mr Mallon says people will notice a difference once the LED lights have been installed.

“LED lights omit a white light which can appear much brighter than the dull orange light you get from traditional street lamps. The light spill will also be directed downwards to the road and footpath which will reduce light pollution.”