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Pole mounted lighting was specifically recommended in the Lake Wendouree Master Plan that was informed by significant community consultation and was endorsed by Council in November 2017.   

A 5m pole height works best with the canopies of the existing trees around the lake.   

Shorter, 1m bollard-style pole lights were trialled more than a decade ago, and are still in operation, on the western side of the lake. Feedback from users found they provided an inconsistent level of light and caused glare issues for path users. These shorter poles also do not meet the illumination level required under the relevant Australian Standards for Public Pathway Lighting.  

To meet the Australian Standards in terms of the level of lighting and its consistency, lower poles would require the installation of more poles, while higher poles would be unworkable due to the trees and the shading.   

The 5m poles are shorter than most streetlights in Ballarat and are comparable with other pole mounted lighting in the precinct.  

The design process required lights that are: Dark Sky Approved (reduced light pollution), provide minimised sideways spill, are aesthetic, functional, durable, and programmable and able to meet the desired Australian Standards for pedestrian lighting.

The lights will cast light downwards only, therefore limiting any upward spill.   

In addition, the lights will be turned OFF for most of the night. The lights have a targeted light pattern with limited sideways spill while still meeting the requirement of the relevant Australian Standards. They are accredited by the International Dark Sky Association. 

The City of Ballarat has conducted extensive research into the impacts the Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park Link Lighting project may have on the lake, its surrounds and has explored ways of reducing those impacts.  

The design for the lake lighting project has considered a range of factors including, but not limited to, an independent Biological Impact Assessment, an independent Arborist Assessment, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan, and a Heritage Impact Assessment.  

This research includes the fittings and poles but also the installation to minimise any impacts on the environment and wildlife both during construction and once the lighting is operational.     

The Arboricultural Impact and Assessment Report was completed by ArborSafe on 20 March 2020 and can be viewed on the City of Ballarat website.  

The lights will require regular cleaning and incidental repairs, to address incidents such as vandalism, just like every other City of Ballarat building, light or other asset. The City of Ballarat’s Parks and Gardens team that maintain the Lake Wendouree precinct will be responsible for this.  

All maintenance and repairs will be completed in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and warranties.  

We completed a Geotechnical Investigations report as part of our standard practice. This report shows the indicative foundation depths required for the lights, which will differ across the project. This report is used by the contractor when working with the manufacturer to determine the footing details suitable for each location.   

The report was not required to be submitted as part of the Heritage Victoria permit application process.  

The permit applications for the project included a Heritage Impact Statement Assessment, an Arboricultural report, a Biodiversity Impact Assessment including Native Vegetation assessment, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan, Public Authority Landowner Consent, and other documentation, which is all in line with the recommendations on Heritage Victoria’s website regarding the preparation and submission of permit applications. 

The City of Ballarat will work with the contractor to protect and maintain the health of trees and wildlife during the construction and once the lake lighting is operational. The works will be overseen by a project Arborist, as per the requirements of the Heritage Victoria permits. Arboricultural induction will be undertaken on-site with all contractors.  

The project will be delivered via underground boring for electrical conduits to a depth of one metre to reduce the impact on tree root systems and minimise surface disruption.   

This method was recommended by an independent Arborist report and supported by the City of Ballarat’s arborist team.    

The works will be guided by a project arborist and will comply with specifically considered Tree Protection Zones and Structural Root Zones, in accordance with the Australian Standard 4970 Protection of Trees on Development Sites.    

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. These plans set out the endorsed works methods to be undertaken on-site and have been signed off by Heritage Victoria and the project Arborist. 

An increased contract price came back to Council as per the delegations in Section 3 of the City of Ballarat Procurement Policy.   

Officers were unable to enter into the original contract price, as per the resolution of Council in February 2022, due to the new requirements pertaining to the Interim Protection Order and potential need for an additional Heritage Victoria Permit.   

The contract was not formally signed, and ongoing discussions were held with the tenderer while the Heritage Victoria Permit process was undertaken.   

This was resolved in May 2022 when a second Heritage Victoria Permit was issued for the Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park Link Lighting project.     

The budget increase was due to pricing increases in materials consistent with escalations seen across the construction industry since the tender was submitted in December 2021, costs incurred due to requirements under the Interim Protection Order and Heritage Permit, and flow-on additional costs involved in delivering the project.    

In July, Council approved a budget increase of $370,000 for the Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park Link Lighting project.   

The Lake Wendouree and Victoria Park Link Lighting project has been jointly funded by the State Government ($2,500,000) and the City of Ballarat ($300,000).   

The budget increase takes the City of Ballarat’s contribution to $670,000.