Goulburn Mulwaree Council in NSW has invested in solar pathway lighting with Melbourne-based Leadsun installing 160 lights along 10km of walkway and cycle paths in Goulburn.

The installation comes with 30% more people walking than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic according to the Heart Foundation.

Leadsun managing director Matt Pollard says Leadsun was a world leader in public SMART lighting, having designed and patented the first all-in-one LED solar light: “This Goulburn project started 12 months ago. The first stage had 120 lights over the first section of the pathway.

“Since then, there’s been an extension to the pathway network and there’s been another 42 lights, so in total there’s 160 lights all connected throughout the pathway and I believe that’s the largest solar pathway lighting project in Australia.”

Energy minister and federal member for Hume Angus Taylor says the Goulburn walkway was now more safe and accessible, making it a well-used community asset.

“I’m thrilled that the installation of solar lighting will extend the hours of use of the walkway,” Angus says.

Solar public lighting is more cost effective than traditional electrical street lighting and does not require extensive trenching nor electrical wiring. Power can be stored in the lithium-ion batteries for three days.

The Goulburn Mulwaree Council is now planning a further 1.5km extension to the SMART lighting project which was partly funded under the federal government community sport infrastructure program.