Safer and more sustainable lighting will come to the Surf Coast if the community accepts the draft Public Lighting Policy and Guidelines.
Surf Coast Shire Council endorsed the draft policy and guidelines for five weeks of public exhibition during its Tuesday, May 27, meeting to provide a framework for managing the region’s public lighting.
Deputy mayor Libby Stapleton said installing a safer and more environmentally friendly nighttime environment was needed across the shire.
“It’s really important to acknowledge that people of different genders and age are impacted differently by things like public lighting,” she said.
“It’s interesting to think about the role of lighting in public places… and the proposed policy will encompass new public lighting installations, replacements and maintenance.
“It’s also encouraged council to consider other issues such as the look and feel of our townships, environmental impacts from lighting and how the effects of light pollution could be mitigated.”
Councillor Leon Walker said the policy would help make better use of open space, while embracing council’s commitment to environmental sustainability and safety.
“I’ve got groups of young girls that will not walk home at nighttime or won’t go out at all to enjoy themselves unless they can get home safe,” he said.
“I’d like to see this, not just in the shire, but pushed out further to other agencies around the foreshore areas that are not managed by the shire and other areas too.”
