The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has called on State and Federal Governments to help local councils replace old street lighting with new energy-efficient technology.

The Give Our Streets the Green Light campaign is led by the MAV and Maribyrnong City Council, in partnership with 40 other Victorian councils. A further 14 municipalities have passed motions to back the campaign.

MAV president, Bill McArthur, said Victoria had an estimated 330,000 local road street lights using 80W mercury vapour lamps – making street lighting one of greatest sources of greenhouse gas emissions for local government.

“Councils have worked hard since 2003 to secure approvals from energy distributors to introduce new energy efficient lights but it will cost an estimated $120 million to fund a bulk change over,” Cr McArthur said.

“Each new light fitting and installation costs between $350 to $450 and councils are urging other levels of government to help fast-track the replacement by contributing a minimum of $150 per light.”

Cr McArthur said new fluorescent lights would provide an energy saving of approximately 70 per cent.

“If the State and Commonwealth fund a quarter to a third of the total upgrade costs, we will achieve a 78,000 tonne greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and a $7 million cost saving, each year,” he said.

“Over the life of the lights, that equals 31.2 billion black balloons or 341,917 cars off the road for a year.”