A decision at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s August meeting paved the way for a bulk upgrade of eligible local road street lights to LED technology up to a limit of $2.07 million.

The partnership with Essential Energy will see up to 5,583 street lights upgraded to LED.

The upgrade, which will cost about $2 million, will generate cost savings of about $330,000 a year.

The council spends more than $1.16 million a year to provide street lighting across the region.

Cr Peter Alley said the council would reduce its CO2 footprint and save about 1GWh a year in electricity.

“It can’t happen soon enough,” he said.

“It works for the environment and it works for council finances.”

The council noted the time critical nature of accepting and executing the agreement with Essential Energy.

That is based on council aligning with Essential Energy’s October 2017 bulk maintenance timeframe, which will provide a $331,000 cost saving to council based on contractor efficiencies.

A $2 million allocation to fund the project will be created in the council’s 2017/18 operational plan.

The council noted the payback period of less than five years for the project.

A report to the August council meeting said other councils, including Eurobodalla, Leeton and Tamworth, had recently instructed Essential Energy to undertake a bulk LED upgrade, taking similar advantage of the bulk maintenance program reduction on costs.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council engaged a specialist energy consultant, 100% Renewables, to investigate the Essential Energy proposal.

The consultant’s report said the Essential Energy proposal provided an opportunity for the council to make significant energy savings and cost savings.

Street lighting across NSW was moving towards LED technology and this would occur over the next several years for both local and main roads, the consultant’s report said.

The council will consider a future allocation in the 2018/19 operational plan for a further bulk upgrade program for main road street lights.

The council vote was carried 8/1 with Cr Mike Cusato against.

Meanwhile, the council’s Draft Long Term Energy Strategy is on public exhibition until September 20.