Crs have time to decide on lights

DUNEDIN city councillors have been given an assurance they have time to make the ‘‘right’’ decision on the type of LED lights to be installed across the city.

The council has set aside $12 million in its draft 10year plan to upgrade the city’s street lights to LEDs, which was expected to begin later this year.

However, at last week’s public hearing on the 10year plan, councillors heard from submitters concerned about the impact white LEDs would have on human health, wildlife and night sky views.

They urged the council to consider the use of amber LEDs instead, touting the benefits of the lower colour temperature alternatives.

That prompted Cr David BensonPope to raise the issue at Monday’s council infrastructure services and networks committee meeting. The evidence presented last week seemed ‘‘pretty persuasive’’ and the council needed to get the decision right.

He asked for an assurance the council’s ability to make a decision on the lights would not be compromised by the tight timeframe.

Councils across New Zealand had until July 1 to take advantage of an 85% subsidy from the NZ Transport Agency, after which the rate would drop to 56%.

Council transport strategy manager Nick Sargent said the council expected to be ‘‘going to market’’ for new lights about the middle of the year, but it — like other councils — was also pushing for the NZTA’s deadline to be extended.

In the meantime, councillors still had time to decide what sort of LED lights they preferred for the city as part of deliberations on the 10year plan, Mr Sargent said.

‘‘There’s time. We are not making any irrevocable decisions at present,’’ he said.