VIC
Underground boring for the installation of electrical conduit will take place later this month as part of construction of the City of Ballarat Council’s $3 million Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park Link Lighting project.
Local contractor, Pipe Pro Directional Drilling, will begin underground boring on 27 February on the north side of the lake foreshore, near the Forest Street and Wendouree Parade roundabout.
Seven kilometres of electrical conduit will power the 225 light poles around the lake and seven light poles along Morrison Street, which will light a route from Lake Wendouree to nearby Victoria Park.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Des Hudson said it was exciting to see the significant project being delivered for the community.
“Lake lighting will encourage more residents to step out into our incredible Lake Wendouree precinct for a few extra hours a day all year-round, particularly in the early mornings, evenings and during the winter months,” he said.
“We are working to have lake lighting switched on in time for the darker winter months ahead so that our residents can enjoy an accessible and safe environment when the sun sets earlier.”
The underground boring will be conducted to a depth of one metre to reduce the impact on tree root systems and minimise surface disruption.
Council has prepared a Tree Management Plan and a Construction Management Plan which also comply with the Australian Standard 4970 Protection of Trees on Development Sites.
The underground boring works will be guided by a project arborist and will comply with Tree Protection Zones and Structural Root Zones.
Regional contractor, DeAraugo and Lea Electrical, has been appointed to deliver the project and will utilise local sub-contractors and suppliers.
Cultural heritage inductions with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation were held in January, along with arboriculture inductions with contractors as part of the conditions of the Heritage Victoria permits.
Lake lighting was identified as the number one priority in the City of Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree Master Plan in 2017 following extensive community and local resident engagement.
The smart, energy-efficient LED lake lighting will be fully programmable to carefully manage the hours of operation. The lights will turn off at 10pm each night and turn on each morning at 5.30am.
The lights will then turn off in the morning via a sensor in the light fitting that measures the level of natural light. The lights will also be powered by 100% renewable energy.
The lighting design incorporates low spill LED fittings to limit any spill and glare beyond and either side of the path. The lighting spill meets the requirements under the Australian Standard 1158.3.1:2020 Category PP3 for Public Lighting and the Ligman light fittings selected for the project are accredited by the International Dark-sky Association.
