Managing Council-Owned Lighting Assets: Smarter, Safer, More Sustainable
Council-owned lighting infrastructure plays a vital role in public safety, energy efficiency, and the livability of shared spaces. From streetlights to pathway bollards, well-maintained lighting enhances visibility, deters crime, and supports community use of public areas after dark.
Yet many councils face the challenge of managing large, aging networks of lighting assets—often with limited resources and increasing demands for sustainability and compliance. In this post, we explore practical strategies to help local governments take control of their lighting portfolios and plan for smarter, more cost-effective outcomes.
Start With a Lighting Audit
The first step in managing lighting assets is understanding what you have.
A professional lighting audit helps councils:
Document and verify all existing lighting assets
Measure energy consumption and maintenance costs
Identify safety, compliance, or performance issues
Provide a clear starting point for upgrade planning
This data-driven approach allows for evidence-based decision-making, especially when applying for funding, grants, or rebate programs.
Prioritise Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Old, inefficient luminaires not only consume more power—they also lead to higher maintenance costs. Replacing aging assets with LED technology can significantly reduce energy bills while improving light quality, reducing light spill, and cutting carbon emissions.
LED upgrades can be staged over time or bundled into larger asset renewal projects. Where applicable, government incentives and energy rebate programs can help offset upfront costs.
Explore Smart Lighting Controls
Modern lighting systems now offer smart controls that allow remote monitoring, dimming schedules, fault detection, and adaptive lighting responses. This improves energy efficiency and helps councils respond quickly to outages or safety concerns.
Smart systems also future-proof lighting networks by enabling integration with other infrastructure, such as CCTV, environmental sensors, or electric vehicle charging points.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance
All public lighting must comply with relevant standards, such as AS/NZS 1158 for road lighting and AS/NZS 4282 for obtrusive light. Councils must also meet obligations around lighting for accessibility, sustainability, and environmental impact.
Engaging lighting designers who are experienced with council requirements ensures new installations and upgrades meet all compliance benchmarks from day one.
Develop a Long-Term Asset Management Plan
Ongoing maintenance is just one part of the picture. A strategic asset management plan enables councils to:
Forecast lifecycle costs
Plan for timely replacements
Identify funding requirements
Align lighting upgrades with broader public works
With a clear plan in place, councils can avoid reactive repairs and focus on long-term outcomes.
Partner With Experts in Public Lighting
At Spaces At Night, we support local governments in managing and upgrading their outdoor lighting infrastructure. From audits and feasibility studies to full LED lighting upgrades and smart design solutions, we bring deep experience in public lighting, safety, and compliance.
Contact us today to learn how we can help optimise your council’s lighting assets.
