LET THERE BE LED

A coastal town in the Bundaberg region, Bargara is less than 10 minutes from Mon Repos, Bundaberg’s premier turtle sanctuary. Boasting some of Australia’s most stunning coastline, Bargara helps to support a thriving tourism economy.

A favourite holiday destination, the Bundaberg area is known for offering spectacular diving and snorkelling, and views of the annual Humpback Whale migration. In addition, this beautiful region is home to mass turtle hatchings every year. This incredible wildlife experience is attended by thousands of tourists and residents every year.

In response to community requests for improved public space lighting along the town’s coastal pathway, Bundaberg City Council, aware of its environmental responsibilities, commissioned Orion Solar to install solar-powered LED lighting along the esplanade between Nielson Park and Clarke Street. What makes this lighting project so special is the lights are turtle-friendly!

In accordance with the project brief, 15 lights were installed along the route, with provisions for additional lighting to be added at a later date should it prove necessary.

Replete with variable intensity adjustment capabilities, the IPL Integrated Architectural Area Lights supplied by Orion Solar run from dusk till dawn at variable luminosity to reduce impact on the surrounding environment.

“[The lights] run at 100% intensity for the first few hours after dusk and again just before daylight, but operate at 30 percent intensity for the remainder of the night,” states Council Roads and Drainage portfolio spokesman Cr Wayne Honor.

“Council has a strong focus within its lighting programs to incorporate environmentally sustainable technology and in this instance the lighting is turtle-friendly, solar-powered LED lighting.”

A popular route between the Bargara caravan park and town centre, the esplanade is used for recreation activities like walking and cycling and also provides access to the beach, where turtle hatching can be viewed.

“Council is striving to meet the balance required between community safety and ensuring a care factor for the turtles that are iconic to our region,” claims Divisional representative Cr Greg Barnes.

Prior to installation, the subject of low-glow turtle-friendly lighting was explored at community meetings, with expert advice sought from international turtle expert Dr Blair Witherington, to ensure the project would meet the needs of the whole community.

Key features of the lighting units installed include 100% sustainability, solar power, and amber in hue — one of the things that makes them turtle-friendly. In addition, the lights include variable intensity dimming and only project onto the ground where illumination is required. This assists in cutting down on ambient glow to the surrounding area.

A cost-saving feature for Council, the lighting units have a low installation cost as no trenching for cables is required. There are almost no ongoing running costs, and, being solar, they are not affected by power outages.

Attractive and slender in design, the lighting units complement the surrounding landscape rather than overpowering it. The solar panel, electronics, batteries and luminaire are all contained within the light head, making for a compact and attractive self-contained unit.

Meeting all the requirements specified by Council, the Bargara pathway sustainable, turtle-friendly lighting project has proven a great success with all members of the Bundaberg community.

CONTACT
Orion Solar Pty Ltd
P   07 5559 1666
E   richard@orionsolar.com.au
W   www.orionsolar.com

PROJECT PARTICULARS
Location Bundaberg, Bargara QLD
Client Bundaberg Regional Council
Design & Installation Orion Solar
Lighting Supply IPL Light & First Light Technologies
Pole Supply Wagners CFT