We offer tools and advice to councils considering upgrading to more energy-efficient public lighting.
Forty-five councils partnered with us on the Give our Streets the Green Light campaign. As a result of the campaign, the Victorian Government will contribute $20 million over four years from 2011 – 12 for the Green Light Plan. A local government reference group has been formed by Local Government Victoria to inform the delivery of the Plan.
Customer Innovation Committee
We host the public lighting Customer Innovation Committee (CIC).
The committee reviews potential energy-efficient public lighting technology on behalf of councils and VicRoads. The technology must also be acceptable to electricity distribution businesses.
As a result, local government and VicRoads can access new public lighting technology more quickly.
CIC representatives are:
- Paul Hamilton (chair), Casey City Council
- Mirjam Fabijanic, Whitehorse City Council
- James McIntosh, VicRoads
- Maree McPherson, Victorian Local Governance Association
- Ben Morris, the MAV
- Stuart Nesbitt, Moreland City Council
- Leslie Sorenson (observer), Department of Sustainability and Environment
Submitting technology for review
Lighting technology providers, councils and VicRoads can submit lighting hardware technology for review by the CIC.
Only technology listed as a priority item will be considered. The CIC technology application form must be completed and emailed to cictechnical@mav.asn.au
A $500 (inc GST) fee must also be paid before an application will be considered.
Priority items
The CIC is prioritising these items for review:
- bulk lamp change options. Some of these components include: longer-life T5 tubes; an alternative T5 twin fluorescent provider; and compact fluorescent lights for use in standard and decorative fittings, including alternative products to the one already approved by electricity businesses
- decorative luminaires and frangible poles for greenfield and infill developments in growth areas
- photo-electric cell and lighting control gear including, more efficient and longer lasting photo-electric cells, and active reactors for lighting major roads
- light-emitting diodes and other emerging technologies
Technology review process
After receiving the CIC technology application form and fee, the CIC will evaluate the submission against its priority technologies.
If the application is rejected the applicant will be advised.
Alternatively, the committee will recommend an initial technology and market assessment. The applicant must pay the cost of the assessment, which is undertaken by a technical advisor from Ironbark Sustainability.
The cost of the assessment varies depending upon the technology and its complexity. Find out more about the cost of an assessment by emailing cictechnical@mav.asn.au
Once the CIC has reviewed the technical adviser’s report it will either:
- reject the application and recommend alterations
- recommend for local government metered uses, such as parks and gardens
- forward to the Victorian Public Lighting Approvals Board (VPLAB) for their consideration for use on unmetered streetlights
VPLAB’s review:
- assesses the initial technology and market assessment report
- requests additional information from the applicant
- supports field testing with councils or VicRoads
- undertakes individual, internal assessment of the technology for the electricity distribution network
VPLAB is made up of representatives from VicRoads, Victorian local government and electricity distribution businesses. It is chaired by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.