Sep 13, 2017 - replacement project, with final cost savings of $6M expected. Around 2500 ... purchased LED products that
13 September 2017
Whanganui District Council 101 Guyton Street PO Box 637, Whanganui 4500 06 349 0001
[email protected] www.whanganui.govt.nz @whanganuidistrictcouncil @WhanganuiDC
LED lighting generating cost savings The Council has already saved more than $100,000 in electricity costs during the roll-out of its LED streetlight replacement project, with final cost savings of $6M expected.
Waitahinga Trails Reopen Waitahinga Trails have reopened to the public following pest control management over the last two months.
Around 2500 residential streetlights have been replaced with the LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights since the project began in the 2015/16 financial year. By the project’s end, 5,500 lights will have been upgraded with the help of 85 percent funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency.
For people who haven’t checked it out, Waitahinga is a collection of walks in native bush, located about 12kms past Bushy Park (inland from Kai Iwi Beach). It includes an old dam, built in 1904.
Street lighting energy costs have reduced from $457,842 in 2015/16 to $350,649 in 2016/17, Council Senior Roading Engineer Rui Leitao says.
Toilet maintenance
For more information: www.visitwhanganui.nz/waitahinga-trails-whanganui/
St Hill Street
“This is a significant saving for the Council and one of the benefits of LEDs, as the lights have a much lower wattage than the previous lights, making them cheaper to run,” he says.
The St Hill Street men’s toilets are closed for maintenance until Monday, 25 September. Part of the maintenance work includes the installation of a new floor. The Orient toilets in Victoria Avenue are available during this time. They can be accessed via the public car park next to The Brickhouse Restaurant in St Hill Street.
As well as being more energy efficient then the older technology High Pressure Sodium (HPS/SON) streetlights, they have a much longer replacement timeframe and provide improved lighting for motorists and pedestrians. “As the technology is fairly new, we have made sure we’ve purchased LED products that are of high-quality and performance. LED lamps need to be replaced every 20 years, compared to about eight years for HPS and other lights.” LED streetlights are easy to spot once you know what to look for, Mr Leitao says, as they emit a white light, rather than the yellow light of the older fixtures. The white light only projects downwards, creating a different visual effect from the former lights. “The lights show true colours and the light spreads differently. Pedestrians are also easier to see.” The Council will invest around $3M during the roll-out with expected savings in electricity and maintenance costs of $9M, resulting in direct savings of $6M over the LED lights’ lifetime. The project was initially expected to take five years, but with the NZTA upping its funding from 62 percent to 85 percent, it will now be completed by 30 June 2018. “It’s a win-win situation,” says Mr Leitao. The project began firstly as a trial on the Whanganui City Bridge, extended to main arterial routes and is now spreading throughout the suburbs. The roll-out of these improvements is part of a Council maintenance and improvements contract with Strong Electrical Ltd.
Head towards the far end of the car park, turn left and follow the covered walkway to the Orient toilets, which are open 24/7. Strong Electrical Ltd team member from the Street Lighting division, Dylan Coffin-Kawhena, about to install an LED light.
Creative Communities Open workshops: 16 September, 30 September, 7 October
What you need to know: Most of the LED replacement in Castlecliff and Springvale is complete. The Strong Electrical LED team is currently working in Aramoho.
The Creative Communities Scheme process and how to complete the application form will be covered in open workshops, run by Cath Watson, on Saturday, 16 September, Saturday, 30 September and Saturday, 7 October.
LED lights are being installed along the Whanganui City Bridge to North Mole Shared Pathway, beginning with some 5.5m poles between Bedford Avenue and Balgownie Avenue.
All workshops will be held from 12 noon to 1.30pm at the Gonville Café Library.
New lighting poles have also been installed on St Hill Street near Whanganui Intermediate, as part of the Te Tuaiwi cycleway through the central city. Each streetlight pole has its own unique number, regardless of the streetlight being on a Powerco electricity pole or a stand-alone streetlight. If you wish to report a faulty streetlight, ring the Council on 349 0001. It is helpful to have the number of the pole on hand, so the maintenance team can easily pinpoint its exact location.
Events at Sarjeant on the Quay Art Fix with Tom Turner | Thursday, 14 September, 2.00pm Join Tom Turner for a chat about artworks featured in the new exhibition Interior Worlds. Please bring a pen and pad. This will be followed by a cup of tea at Mud Ducks.
Applications for the next round of funding close at 12 noon on Thursday, 12 October 2017.
Council meetings We welcome the public to our meetings. Whanganui District 2pm – Monday, Councils’ Forestry September 18 Joint Committee
Committee Room 2
Statutory Management Committee
9am – Wednesday, Council September 20 Chamber (reconvening - Traffic and Speed Limits Bylaw Deliberations)
Youth Committee
4pm – Monday, September 25
Council Chamber
Strategy and 1pm – Tuesday, Finance Committee September 26
Council Chamber
Property and 1pm – Thursday, Community September 28 Services Committee
Council Chamber
Council
Council Chamber
1pm – Tuesday, October 3
Schola Sacra Choir I’m Gonna Sing! Sunday, 17 September, 4.30pm
Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Whanganui and the Whanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.
Folksongs, spirituals, world music and classic favourites with the Whanganui Schola Sacra Choir (pictured). Tickets $15, Gallery Friends & Stars $12. Purchase from Sarjeant on the Quay or by phoning 349 0506. Presales only; no door sales.
Our monthly Council meetings are live-streamed on www.facebook.com/whanganuidistrictcouncil, on our YouTube page: https://youtu.be/wI2QvEyTn-8 and on our website: www.whanganui.govt.nz/live-council-meetings
