Lighting in Wirrabarra Walk
This community consultation has now ended. A report on the results of the consultation will be prepared for a future Council meeting.
Council to check Wirrabarra lighting upgrade plans with neighbours
This community consultation has now ended. A report on the results of the consultation will be prepared for a future Council meeting.
Orange City Council will consult with the community on a proposal to install footpath lighting along a popular local walking path, after investigating the feasibility of the project and securing grant funding.
Last month, the NSW Government announced $200,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund to install motion-sensor lighting along Wirrabarra Walk, which runs along the western boundary of the Duntryleague golf course.
Orange Deputy Mayor Gerald Power said now funding has been secured it is time to seek the views of the community on the lighting project.
“The purpose of the new lighting is to make Wirrabarra Walk safer and increase its useability for all users,” Cr Power said. “Council will engage with residents and the wider community over the coming weeks and throughout the project to ensure the project meets community needs.”
“We have heard from some community members already that they do not support this project and those views will also be taken into account when the matter comes back to Council for consideration as to whether it proceeds.”
There are two different lighting options proposed for Wirrabarra Walk, one-metre-high bollard style lights or six-metre-high foot path light poles. These lights are dimmed most of the time until a person approaches. They then emit full brightness for 30 seconds to light the way. These lights are designed to shine directly onto the footpath to ensure surrounding residents will not be disturbed.
An example of the proposed bollard lighting can be found in Matthews Park, while the tall pathway lights can be found at Margaret Stevenson Park.
The option is lights mounted in 1-metre-high bollards. With 1 light every 10 metres, there would be 75 bollard-lights evenly spread along the 750m length of Wirrabarra Walk. These are designed to be vandal resistant. Examples of these lights can be found can be found in Matthews Park.
The alternative light option is a tall pathway light that is 6m in height that would have a larger shine radius. There would be 25 along the length of Wirrabarra Walk. Examples of these lights can be found in Margaret Stevenson Park.
Council hopes to install lights that are solar powered to reduce the environmental impacts and save rate payers money.
"The new lights at Wirrabarra Walk join a growing number of parks and walkways around Orange where the installation of lighting has received positive community feedback,” Cr Power said.
A letter has also been sent to more than 3000 residents in the neighbourhood inviting them to an information session at Mathews Park and Margaret Stevenson Park where they can see firsthand the type of lights being proposed for Wirrabarra Walk.
The information session in Matthews Park will start at 8pm on 16 March to demonstrate the bollard option. Staff will be available at the Kite Street side of the park. From there the forum will move to Margaret Stevenson Park in Spring Street to demonstrate the tall pathway light. Staff will be available in the park opposite 119 Spring Street. It is expected the forum will finish at 9pm.
Have your say
You can have your say about these proposals by completing a quick online survey.
To make sure this community engagement is as accurate as it can be, you will have to register with YourSay Orange to complete the survey.
Registering with YourSay Orange is quick and easy. Simply follow the prompts to add a screen name and an email address.
The 28-day period for community submissions ends on 19 April.
