A $725k upgrade in Masterton will fit urban streetlights in the town with LED technology.
Masterton District Council has set aside a total of $725,900 in its Long Term Plan to retrofit the town's existing high pressure sodium fittings with LED, with the upgrade scheduled to begin in the 2016/17 financial year. Roading services manager Hamish Pringle said about 1700 lights would be replaced, phased over two years. "LED lighting is cheaper to run and requires less maintenance while providing an improved white light environment." More important roads were likely to receive the LED lights first, Mr Pringle said.
Council spokesman Sam Rossiter-Stead said if line charges remained the same, council expected yearly energy savings of about $35,000. With savings on maintenance and repairs, total yearly savings were expected to be at least $60,000.
