Reducing Urban Glow

Project Overview

As part of the Reducing Urban Glow project a new lighting solution has been designed for the pedestrian pathway along the Bargara foreshore. The new lighting solution has the following features:

• Low colour temperature lighting (yellow/amber in appearance) to reduce the amount light in the blue spectrum. Turtles are particularly sensitive to the blue end of the light spectrum.
• Recessed light fittings with louvres to control the direction of light and minimise seaward light spill.
• Smart technology that allows for dimming of lights down to 20% when lighting is not required, and a gradual ramping of lights to 100% when pedestrians are detected.

This project complements other initiatives to reduce the urban glow in Bargara including a streetlight replacement program and smart street lighting along the Esplanade and Bauer Street.

Construction Location

New lighting will be implemented along the Bargara pedestrian pathway, bounded by Schuhkraft Drive at the north (just south of Nielson Park) and the intersection of the Esplanade and Burkitt Street at the south.

Construction Activities

From Clarke St northward to Schuhkraft Drive new electrical works will be installed, which will require excavation and trenching for new electrical conduit. Excavation work is to be carried out between the hours of 0700 and 1700 (Monday through Friday), and during this time noise levels may be elevated. From Clark St southward to Burkitt St, existing poles and electrical wiring will be used, and only new lighting will be installed. The smart technology hardware components will be installed across the entire installation.

During the construction period, sections of the pathway will not be lit at night and appropriate care should be taken in these areas. Pedestrian traffic management will be put in place to ensure public safety at all times. In addition, the contractor will establish a temporary compound in the car park at Schuhkraft Drive which may reduce car parking available in that area.

It is anticipated that construction activities will commence in early March and will be completed by the end of May.

Why is this project happening?

All of the world’s sea turtle populations are considered rare or threatened. Six live in Australia, and three nest along the Bundaberg Region’s coast at Mon Repos, Burnett Heads and Bargara. The Bundaberg coastline hosts the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the east coast of Australia and is home to 50 per cent of endangered Loggerhead turtle breeding activity in the South Pacific Ocean.

Scientific evidence indicates that artificial light sources have a negative impact on adult turtle nesting site selection and hatchling ocean-finding behaviour by preventing turtles from navigating to and from the ocean. This project aims to mitigate the detrimental effects of urban lighting on our breeding turtle population.

Project Stakeholders

This project is funded in part by the Australian Government under Round 2 of the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program. Please visit the project partners page for a comprehensive list of all project collaborators.

Contact Details

For more information about this project or the broader Reducing Urban Glow initiative, visit www.knowyourglow.com.au.

Alternatively, contact Andrew Beckenhauer within Council’s Strategic Projects and Economic Development department on 1300 883 699 or via email at sped@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.