❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the energy portfolio regarding street lighting tariffs and potential LED upgrades for local governments in the South West. The government clarifies tariff calculations, future increases, and LED implementation plans, indicating current subsidies and potential future savings.
AnsweredQoN 1748Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the tarrif charged to South West local governments for street lighting calculated per street light? (2) If no to (1), how is the charge for street lighting to local governments calculated? (3) What is the current charge for street lighting to local governments in: (a) the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River; and (b) the City of Busselton? (4) Is the Government increasing these charges by 50 per cent over the next three years? (5) What will each of the local governments in (3) be paying for street lighting in the following financial years: (a) 2014-15; (b) 2015-16; (c) 2016-17; and (d) 2017-18? (6) In new housing developments before residents move in, does street lighting remain on during hours of darkness? (7) If yes to (6), why? (8) What hours do street lights remain on in: (a) the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River; and (b) the City of Busselton? (9) Will the State Government replace existing lamps in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the City of Busselton with LED technology to save electricity usage? (10) If local governments take the initiative to replace existing lamps with LED technology to save electricity usage, will the State Government: (a) cover the cost of supplying and installing LED lamps; and (b) reduce the amount charged to South West local governments for street lighting?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 November 2014
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
36 days
(1) Yes
(2) Not applicable
(3) There is no single charge for street lighting to local governments. Charges for street lighting is determined by what type of lamp is installed (Mercury Vapour, Fluorescent, High Pressure Sodium etc), the bulb wattage installed with that lamp (50, 80, 125 kw) and what 'switch-off' time the streetlight asset is set at (midnight, 1:15 am and dawn).
(4) Street lighting tariffs are set by the State Government. The increases outlined in the State Budget papers are for forecasting purposes only and no decision has been made on future tariff increases.
(5) Refer to responses 3 and 4.
(6) Yes
(7) Road lighting standards require that streets are illuminated at night.
(8) (a) The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has streetlights with the following
switch-off times:
12:00 pm (Midnight) (465 streetlights),
1:15 am (16 streetlights)
Dusk to Dawn (871 streetlights)
(b) The City of Busselton has streetlights with the following switch-off times:
12:00 pm (Midnight) (616 streetlights),
1:15 am (889 streetlights)
Dawn to Dusk (2763 streetlights)
(9) No. The specific funding arrangements would be subject to Western Power's regulatory environment.
Western Power is currently assessing the case for inclusion of LED technology in its street light range. Final approval is dependent on the technical analysis findings. Testing is expected to be completed by mid-October and if approved Western Power expects the new LED product to be available by April 2015.
(10) (a) No
(b) The Government's aim is for electricity prices to equal the cost of supply. Currently local government street lighting electricity consumption is subsidised by the Government. To the extent that LED technology reduces the cost of supply below the current regulated street light tariffs the Government would look to pass those savings through to local governments.
(2) Not applicable
(3) There is no single charge for street lighting to local governments. Charges for street lighting is determined by what type of lamp is installed (Mercury Vapour, Fluorescent, High Pressure Sodium etc), the bulb wattage installed with that lamp (50, 80, 125 kw) and what 'switch-off' time the streetlight asset is set at (midnight, 1:15 am and dawn).
(4) Street lighting tariffs are set by the State Government. The increases outlined in the State Budget papers are for forecasting purposes only and no decision has been made on future tariff increases.
(5) Refer to responses 3 and 4.
(6) Yes
(7) Road lighting standards require that streets are illuminated at night.
(8) (a) The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has streetlights with the following
switch-off times:
12:00 pm (Midnight) (465 streetlights),
1:15 am (16 streetlights)
Dusk to Dawn (871 streetlights)
(b) The City of Busselton has streetlights with the following switch-off times:
12:00 pm (Midnight) (616 streetlights),
1:15 am (889 streetlights)
Dawn to Dusk (2763 streetlights)
(9) No. The specific funding arrangements would be subject to Western Power's regulatory environment.
Western Power is currently assessing the case for inclusion of LED technology in its street light range. Final approval is dependent on the technical analysis findings. Testing is expected to be completed by mid-October and if approved Western Power expects the new LED product to be available by April 2015.
(10) (a) No
(b) The Government's aim is for electricity prices to equal the cost of supply. Currently local government street lighting electricity consumption is subsidised by the Government. To the extent that LED technology reduces the cost of supply below the current regulated street light tariffs the Government would look to pass those savings through to local governments.
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