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State-of-the-art lighting at Warkworth Showgrounds, which was installed less than three years ago, is to be replaced.
While the lighting met resource consent conditions at the time, Rodney Local Board has been advised that the glare from the lights, which were switched on during the ‘Big Turn On’ in May 2017, now “unfortunately” only partly complies with the resource consent.
The Board has been told that the 50 light fittings on 19 poles will need to be changed to ensure full compliance and to avoid it becoming a potential issue in future years, with the pending development around the western and northern ends of the showgrounds.
An assessment of the options is being prepared.
Council head of project delivery John Schermbrucker says that in the interim, Council is applying for an exemption to the resource consent.
He says LED lighting is preferred over the old floodlighting, as it uses less energy.
The original lights cost $350,000 to install and should have had a life of 20 years.
There is currently no budget to address the need for new light fittings.
