ENERGY-efficient lamps will replace Moyne Shire streetlight bulbs after councillors voted to cover the state government’s withdrawn pledge of $135,080 towards the Green Light program.
Working with the Great South Coast group, the shire had secured $135,080 from the federal government to assist the eco-friendly project, with an intended grant matched by the state leaving the council to pay just $18,636.
However, the state government recently abolished its Green Light program and Moyne Shire councillors this week voted to proceed with the plan due to the ongoing savings from the energy-efficient bulbs.
As well as offering lower running costs, energy consumption and greenhouse emissions, the new lights will provide better visibility at night.
The $288,796 project will save the council between $44,000 and $64,000 each year, covering the council’s contribution in under three years.
Cr Jill Parker said the project was worth the cost and supported the shire’s energy efficiency program.
“This will offer cheaper costs eventually and nothing is more important than the safety of the community,” she said.
While Cr Bernie Harris argued the council should not have to contribute the state government’s share, deputy mayor James Purcell said the project was important enough to take on.
“This is a great project and when I saw the state government had pulled out I was very disappointed,” he said.
“I certainly have sympathy with Cr Harris ... but this does stack up financially and denying it would be cutting off the nose to spite the face, and for that reason I do support it.
“It is a program that should be invested in, irrespective of what the state government has decided to do.”
