Light shed on concerns
Residents slam Oceanway ‘farce’
THIS photograph shows why southern Gold Coasters are so dark about their council.
Residents say a trial to install lighting along a section of Oceanway is a farce, with the new Coast pathway in darkness shortly after dusk.
But southern-based councillor Gail O’Neill is urging outspoken community groups to give council officers a chance to deliver this “fantastic project without scrutinising their every move” and complaining to the Bulletin.
Tugun’s Terry and Jeanette Camp began lobbying the council more than two years ago about insufficient lighting between the Elizabeth St laneway and Toolona St.
The council decided to trial post-top lanterns with solar panels and vandal-resistant solar bollard-style lights on sections of the path. Photographs provided by the residents show little light is being shone on the pathways.
“Unfortunately, this trial installation was a failure in both the light output and visual aspects,” Mr Camp said.
Councillor O’Neill had been advised that the light output was insufficient and the batteries failed to allow operation from dusk to dawn.
“An attempt was made to cover the rear of each light with duct tape to presumably stop rear lighting in a fruitless attempt to increase light output,” Mr Camp said.
“Recently we found 50 per cent of these lights were removed
by either contractors or council employees and what is unbelievable, these same lights were installed on the Tugun to Bilinga Oceanway path on the recently completed first section north of the Bilinga Surf Club. This is an absolute act of stupidity.”
Officers maintain the installation of lights was a trial and they were not placed on another section of pathway.
“The team have visited the site at night and are aware of light deficiencies,” a council officer wrote. “The City has not installed this number of lights of this type along a section of path in another location across the city.”
Cr O’Neill updated the residents by email and advised that officers were told “the lights originally installed were placed too close together”.
Friends of Currumbin secretary Gloria Baker wrote to Cr O’Neill to complain about the lighting on the new section of Oceanway north of the Bilinga Surf Club.
“The safety of our community members who use the Oceanway at night is a priority,” she said.
Cr O’Neill said the installation of the solar lighting occurred after public consultation with residents who would be most impacted.
“The final plans were presented and I believe welcomed by community groups, Tugun Progress Association and the Friends of Currumbin,” she said.
She said lights with better coverage had been ordered.
THIS TRIAL INSTALLATION WAS A FAILURE IN BOTH THE LIGHT OUTPUT AND VISUAL ASPECTS TERRY CAMP