Shellharbour City Council lighting upgrade

Shellharbour City Council, just south of Wollongong in NSW, is providing an excellent example to local businesses and councils around the country on how to reduce their environmental footprint simply by switching to energy-efficient lighting.

The council will save ratepayers more than $7500 per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 57 tonnes per annum as a result of changing its fluorescent tubes.

Mayor David Hamilton said the lighting efficiency upgrade was an important part of the council's vision, which is firmly focused on sustainability: "As part of our commitment to preserve the natural beauty of our region, this lighting upgrade will deliver significant energy savings and environmental benefits to the city."

Shellharbour Council environmental officer Levi Gibson identified a number of council buildings with older-style fluorescent lighting and saw an opportunity to improve energy performance, light output and extend maintenance cycles.

Gibson said: "As part of the lighting upgrade, the fluorescents in the council's main office area - Lamerton House - and a number of other external buildings have been changed to 'T5' energy-efficient lamps. The new 28 W T5 fluorescent tubes offer an approximate 30% energy saving over the old T8 36 W lamps they have replaced. In addition, we have been able to de-lamp in some areas due to the higher light levels achieved by the T5 lamps."

The conversion was cost effective and simple, thanks to innovative technology provided by Sydney firm, Ilum-a-Lite.

Ilum-a-Lite CEO Mark Rutherford said by fitting Ilum-a-Lite's 'Save-it-Easy' adapters to each end of the smaller T5 tube it can be fitted to an existing T8 light fitting: "Because the process is quick and easy and doesn't require a professional electrician, our installers were able to complete the task in only a few days, minimising disruption to office operations and saving the council time and money."

"The new T5 lamps have twice the life expectancy and only a third of the mercury content of the old T8 lamps they replaced, making them even better for the environment."

"Importantly, all of the old T8 fluorescent tubes have been recycled, in order to minimise waste from the upgrade. And to mark the council's new environmental initiative, Ilum-a-Lite has purchased 100 native trees from the council nursery for planting in the local area."