Good for the budget, good for the environment

An energy saving program being rolled out across Council’s community facilities this year is projected to have financial and environmental benefits.

Commercial Operations Director, Caroline Angel said measures including the installation of LED lighting has many advantages including reduced maintenance, improved lighting quality and slashing energy usage.

“Existing lighting in the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, the Museum’s Historic Council Chambers site, and the Wagga City Library will be replaced with new energy efficient lighting,” she said.

“Upgrading the original 20-year old lights in the Art Gallery will improve the operational capacity of the gallery, because lighting is a significant part of the gallery experience and ambience.”

“The new LED lighting will allow the gallery to meet the lighting requirements of touring exhibitions, with the end result being a larger diversity of art experiences for residents to enjoy in Wagga.

“Estimated annual savings at the Civic Centre are $56,000,” she said.

Sports fields are also part of the lighting upgrade program.

“Rugby league players will notice brighter playing conditions when new LED lights are turned on at Harris Park in August.”

“While softball players will notice an improvement when the installation of new LED lights is completed at French Fields.

Cranes were in operation at both sites this past few weeks to install the new lighting poles and floodlights.

“The benefits of LED lighting includes lower power consumption, instant brightness and no flicker. In addition, LED lights have no UV emissions, which means they attract less insects.

“LEDs are designed to provide more than a decade of near maintenance-free service, so it’s a win-win for the community.

“Local residents living adjacent to the fields are advised that the lighting design for both parks complies with Australian Standard which ensures the minimum spillage of lighting into adjoining properties,” she said.

The old lighting poles will be de-commissioned and removed in August.

In further good news for the city’s softball players, work kicks off at the end of July on a new amenities building at French Field. The $660,000 project will include a kiosk, storage, umpires room, club rooms and covered outdoor viewing areas.

Council’s 2019/20 Delivery Plan and Operating Budget includes $75M in major projects and capital works.

Future energy savings projects:

• Oasis integrated energy saving project
• Civic Centre solar panel project
• Tarcutta Truck Stop lighting upgrade
• Airport energy saving project
• Livestock Marketing Centre solar panel project