Regional Projects - July 2013
By: Regional Projects Coordinator, Daniela Gambotto...
I am pleased to have returned to the organisation to a slightly altered role after 12 months' maternity leave.
Street Lighting and Sustainability
The street lighting issue is still smouldering away here at FNQROC and I am pleased to be able to take up the reigns again on this one. Following further investigations and discussions with key Ergon Energy staff it has become apparent that the replacement of luminaires less than 20 years old is not possible due to a complex web of state and federal legislation. Until those regulations change and allow us to replace infrastructure less than 20 years old, we are restricted as to what we can do on a region-wide basis.
However, Ergon Energy has indicated it is keen to try out new LED technology within a tropical context and is looking for sample sites to undertake such trials. Following the completion of Ergon Energy's street lighting audit last year, we now have the ability to identify where street lighting exists which has exceeded its 20 year life expectancy and is therefore eligible for replacement. Put 2 and 2 together and we are able to identify discreet suburbs/townships where Ergon Energy LED trials might be possible. Over the coming months we will undertake further analysis of the street light audit data to determine which locations might benefit from an LED trial and begin negotiating with Ergon Energy on that basis.
Additionally, I will be working with the FNQROC Sustainability Group to advance the development of a Regional Level of Service Agreement with Ergon Energy. This will allow us to put into place an official agreement which stipulates greater accountability for the provision of street lighting in our region. In other words, it will seek to ensure we get what we pay for in terms of service provision, maintenance, replacements programs and the reporting back to the region on these matters.
In the meantime, we will continue a high level push for broader regulatory changes which will enable the regional retrofit of street lights which will provide the bigger cost and emission savings which we are seeking. We will continue to identify opportunities to keep this issue on the state and federal agenda for the FNQ region.
Regional Events
The FNQROC Regional Events Group has convened a few times over the past 12 months. I'm hoping to get the group together again in the coming weeks to refine the direction for this project. Key issues for consideration include an analysis of the return on investment for Councils sponsoring regional events and the consideration of facilities provision.