Council & Politics
25 March, 2026
Council moves to fix failing solar lights
PYRENEES Shire Council will upgrade solar lighting at a number of town entrance signs after much of the current lighting has fallen into disrepair.
Council has a mix substantive stone entrance signs to a number of towns along with more basic pole mounted signs for smaller localities.
The majority of the 26 stone township entrance signs were constructed in 2007 and in 2014, solar solar lights were installed to illuminate 15 of the signs.
The remainder of the stone entrances were equipped with solar lights in 2018/19.
Monday’s council meeting was informed the majority of solar lights installed during this period failed or became unreliable due to water ingress to wiring associated with ground installation, battery failure, poor access to sunlight for recharge and luminaire failure.
Council’s Asset Department have had the solar lighting replaced in five locations as a consequence of the failures with pole mounted solar street lights.
The street light luminaires integrate the solar panel, the battery and the luminaire into a product that is more reliable, more waterproof and that has better solar access.
Councillors were told a further benefit is that they are not vulnerable to damage associated with mowing or rock impact from passing vehicles and they have the advantage of projecting light downwards rather than upwards.
The poles are mounted on a hinged base that allows easy lowering for maintenance purposes.
The meeting was told council does not have allocated funds for ongoing renewal of the solar lighting with two localities still requiring upgrade at Beaufort and Snake Valley, with both towns having multiple entrance signs.
Councillors were told transitioning to pole-mounted integrated solar lighting would reduce operational risk through improved durability and ease of maintenance.
Councillors were also informed a number of smaller communities do no have pole mounted signage.
“Installing these signs is relatively inexpensive and benefits the communities through recognition and wayfinding,” a report to councillors said.
Councillors agreed to support a program of upgrades of solar lighting in locations where the current lighting is not functional utilising unallocated funds from existing budget and that council agrees to an allowance for signage and lighting upgrades in the 2026/27 budget process.
Read More: Amphitheatre, Avoca, Beaufort, Evansford, Landsborough, Lexton, Moonambel, Redbank, Snake Valley, Waubra