Light savings dazzle, but response isn’t all glowing
Converting to energy-saving LED street lights is slashing council power bills in the region, but not everyone is happy about their bright new lights.
Upgrading Tasman district’s 2664 street lights cost $1.5 million, of which the council only had to pay $300,000. The new lights have cut the district’s annual power bill by $130,000, reducing it by more than half.
Nelson City Council is also replacing its street lights, with a $2.4 million replacement of 3847 lights scheduled to finish by December. The costs include an 85 per cent subsidy from the NZ Transport Agency.
The Nelson council has replaced 843 streetlights replaced so far. It says it will save $90,000 annually in operating expenditure and $110,000 on maintenance and power.
Group manager for infrastructure Alec Louverdis said feedback on the new lights had been varied. Most people had commented on the improvement in lighting. Others said the lights made it brighter in their homes.
Nelson resident Tim Bayley was not happy about the recent conversions on Hardy St East’s footbridge, which he said created a ‘‘daylight at night’’ effect.
‘‘People are going to have to install blackout blinds just to get to sleep. Maybe [the council] should check with people to see how they feel about this.’’
Tasman council communications officer Beth Catley said a few residents felt the lights were very bright, so the council had altered the angles of some lights and fitted filter shields.
The main response from residents had been positive, she said, as the new lights made roads safer and provided better and more brightly lit roads and pathways.
NZTA system manager Frank Porter said the efficient LEDs actually had less ‘‘spill’’ or light pollution.
NZTA is converting the street lights on Nelson and Tasman district highways to LEDs.