Light pole installation begins for lake lighting

A light pole without a light on top at Lake Wendouree

The Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park Link Lighting project has reached a significant new milestone with light pole installation works beginning on Wednesday 14 June.

Regional contractor DeAraugo and Lea Electrical are installing the poles, with the light fittings to be installed in the coming months.

The lights are on track to be commissioned by the electrical engineer in July.

The works have begun on the north side of the lake foreshore, near the Forest Street and Wendouree Parade roundabout.

The lake lighting works are being guided by a project arborist and will comply with the Tree and Construction Management Plan for the project.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the installation of the light poles is a milestone step in the lake lighting project.

“It’s exciting to see this project take shape as we work to have lake lighting switched on in July,” he said.

“We look forward to delivering lake lighting so our community can make the most of Ballarat’s most popular recreational location in the darker, winter months.”

The 225 light poles around the lake and seven light poles along Morrison Street will light a route from Lake Wendouree to nearby Victoria Park.

Powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, the LED lighting 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 City of Ballarat 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.

DeAraugo and Lea Electrical has been appointed to deliver the project and is utilising local sub-contractors and suppliers.  

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 $3,170,000 project is jointly funded by the State Government ($2,500,000) and the City of Ballarat ($670,000).  

View the latest project updates at ballarat.vic.gov.au/lakelighting