A forward thinking outdoor pathway lighting solution for the Garden for the Future
The Bendigo Botanic Gardens new Garden for the Future needed an outdoor pathway lighting system that was fit for the future too. Although conventional grid powered lighting was originally specified, it just made sense that the Garden for the Future would be illuminated using clean energy from the sun.
Client
City of Greater Bendigo
Traditional Custodians
Dja Dja Wurrung People
A park for the future
The Bendigo Botanic Gardens is one of regional Victoria’s earliest botanic gardens and is almost as old as Bendigo itself. The Garden is Bendigo’s first public gardens and was included on the Victorian Heritage Register in 2001 due to its historical, architectural, scientific, botanical, aesthetic and social significance (The City of Greater Bendigo, 2024).
In 2010, The City of Greater Bendigo proposed an extension to the historical Heritage Botanic Gardens. Dubbed the Garden for the Future, the idea was to create an environmentally sustainable garden that could weather the future in a changing climate. Searle Brothers Building Contractors were appointed to construct the new gardens including an events stage and shelter for concerts and other events.
Conventional grid powered pathway lights and park lighting were originally specified for the project, but as Searle Brothers Construction Manager, Matt Lowe, explained, “as these were going to be installed into the Garden for the Future we were passionate in advocating the spec’ change to sustainable solar park lighting.”
Park lighting powered by the sun
Mr Lowe reached out to Leadsun Business Development Manager, Walter Terella for help. “Walter Terella was fantastic in providing all required information, providing lighting layout reports of the Leadsun product [solar path lights and park lights] to meet project requirements… that allowed us to go furnished with all required information to table the proposal to the Council for consideration.”
A total of 50 AE3 solar path lights and park lights were installed in the new gardens by Leadsun. Each system is equipped with an expertly sized solar engine powering a LED light that meets PA3 compliance; programmed for 100% illumination for five hours from dusk and then dim to 20% until
dawn
A wonderful space for future generations to enjoy
The Garden for the Future was officially opened in April 2018, providing a contemporary botanic garden experience for the local community and
visitors to enjoy.
Speaking to TCL, the internationally acclaimed landscape architecture and urban design firm appointed to the project, City of Greater Bendigo, mayor Margaret O’Rourke said, “It is important to the community to have this beautiful open space that complements the Botanic Gardens.”
“I can’t think of a better lighting solution for the Garden for the Future than Leadsun solar powered lights”, said Mr Terella. Leadsun solar powered path lights and park lights provide dependable, sustainable solar powered lighting so the gardens can be enjoyed by more people throughout the day and into the night.
Speaking about his experience working with Leadsun after the successful completion of the project, Matt Lowe said that Searle Brothers
Building Contractors were more than happy with the result, and that “the [Leadsun] lighting has run faultlessly to date with nil cost to client, and
is fitting perfectly into their ‘Environmentally Sustainable Design Policy’”
Solar Pathway Lighting Products used
- Solar module series – AE3
- Solar PV size – 80W
- LED output programming: 5 hours full, dim until dawn
- Pole & footing type – 5.5M powder-coated pole with
Ragbolt concrete footing
Lighting Compliance
- PA3
Lighting Applications
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this project was undertaken, the Dja Dja Wurrung People Peoples. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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