Latrobe City lights Yinnar path to local recreation reserve
Client
Latrobe City Council
Traditional Custodians
Braiakaulung people of the Gunaikurnai nation
Project Overview
A one-kilometer shared pathway runs directly alongside an unlit main roadway to link the small Victorian township of Yinnar with its local recreation reserve. The well-used reserve is home to football, netball, tennis, cricket and other sports clubs and offers excellent facilities for public and private events.
Pedestrians a dangerous target for passing motorists
The proximity of the pathway to the road’s edge was a safety concern for walkers and cyclists, who were hard for drivers to see at night, especially in the winter months. Also, lighting the pathway was a high priority for the local community, given that no protective barriers were in place.
As grid-powered lighting was too expensive to install, the Yinnar and District Community Association urged the Latrobe City Council to help them secure funding and install solar lighting along the path. Funds were raised by the community association and matched by the council, plus the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) granted a significant contribution to complete the project.
“The LVA is pleased to work with our project partners and the Yinnar community to improve safety and accessibility between the township and the recreation reserve,” said LVA CEO Karen Cain.
A community-led shift to renewable energy
Latrobe City Council engaged Leadsun on behalf of the community to design and install a fit-for-purpose solar lighting solution that met the site’s unique needs.
Leadsun installed a total of 24 10W LED lights with 55W solar modules. To stop glare perturbing the vision of motorists, a zero-degree tilt on the lights focused the light length ways along the path in an asymmetrical pattern. The P4-level dark-sky compliant system ensured no light could enter tree canopies or disrupt the environment for nocturnal wildlife.
Safe solar-lit pathway a hit with the locals
The community were delighted with the final result; a well-illuminated pathway powered by renewable energy for local children and adults to safely travel along in the evenings and early mornings. The path lighting increases opportunities for locals to use the recreation reserve’s facilities, exercise, reduce car emissions and feel more comfortable on the path beyond daylight hours.
“The Yinnar solar path is a fantastic project. Latrobe City Council is extremely grateful to all of the community members who worked so tirelessly to get this to happen,” said Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Dan Clancey.
Local Raiders Cricket Club executive member, Mark Maynard, remarked, “The new lighting benefits our members greatly! Occasionally training finishes late, so parents take comfort in the fact that there is plenty of light for junior members to safely travel home by.”
“It’s been rewarding working with this community to overcome technical barriers and to realise a project that will benefit the local area for many years to come,” said contributing Latrobe Valley Community Power Hub’s project manager, Chris Barfoot.
Leadsun Products Used
- Number of lights – 24
- Solar module series – AE3
- Solar size – 55W
- LED output programming – 10W – 100% Dusk – 6 hours, Dim 30% till dawn on PIR
- Pole footing type – GM footing to suit fragible pole
- Pole type – GM pole – fragible 6.5M
- Additional solutions – Fully-fabricated foundation cage with holding bolts and reinforcing
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this project was undertaken, the Braiakaulung people of the Gunaikurnai nation People. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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