Brighter, Safer, and More Accessible – Solar Lighting Coming to Lake H
Published on 13 February 2025
Southern Grampians Shire Council is set to bring a long-awaited upgrade to one of the region’s most loved outdoor spaces, with the installation of solar lighting around the Lake Hamilton shared use track including the Lakeside Dog Park.
At last nights scheduled Council meeting, Council awarded a contract to Leadsun Australia Pty Ltd of $618,669 (ex. GST) to deliver the project, ensuring a safer and more accessible space for residents and visitors to enjoy, day or night.
This project has been an aspiration for the community for some time with the Hamilton Running Club submitting the proposal during the 2024–2025 community budget consultation. The submission outlined a request for lighting to improve safety and encourage year-round use of the lake with walkers, runners and cyclists
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Dennis Heslin said the initiative will enhance the way people experience Lake Hamilton.
“These lights are going to change the way people interact with the Lake,” said Cr Heslin. “Whether it’s an early morning jog, an evening walk, or a stroll with the dog, residents will now feel safer and more comfortable using the track after dark.
“The project will create a safer, more accessible and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. We have taken measures to ensure that light pollution is kept to a minimum and that the effect on wildlife, particularly nocturnal wildlife is reduced as much as possible.”
Following a tender process, the contract was awarded to Leadsun Australia PTY LTD to deliver this project. Leadsun Australia has a proven track record of delivering high-quality solar lighting solutions in similar projects.
The new solar lighting system includes 98 lights on the Lake perimeter trail and 4 to service the dogpark and will feature smart technology designed to maximise both safety and energy efficiency. From dusk, the lights will operate at full brightness for four hours, ensuring maximum visibility during peak evening activity. The lights will then dim significantly until dawn.
While dimmed, sensors detect oncoming motion and illuminate solar lights up to 75 meters, temporarily increasing the brightness for 30 seconds to provide a well-lit pathway. The proposal also includes lighting within Lake Hamilton Dog Park, enabling better visibility for evening visits to the park.
With the contract now approved, the project is expected to begin following the issuing of the letter of award, anticipated by the end of May 2025. Once underway, works are expected to take approximately 15 weeks to complete.
“This is an exciting step forward for Lake Hamilton,” concluded Cr Heslin. “We’re looking forward to seeing more people out and about, making the most of this fantastic space—safely, all year round.”
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