Community Feedback Sought for Solar Lights Trial

Tharrapatha Way lights
The three solar lights on Tharrapatha Way, off the Alma Street Crossing, were installed in April.

Published: 8th July 2020

Council is asking for community feedback about the solar lights recently installed on Tharrapatha Way to determine whether similar lighting should be installed along more sections of the 1.5km combined walkway and cycle path.

Tharrapatha Way is a pathway that extends from near the Judo Club on Davis Road to the Alma Street Crossing, near Arts on Alma, and in April three solar-powered lights were installed on the Alma Street end as part of a trial made possible thanks to Brisbane company Star 8 Solar, which provided the lights – worth a total of $2200 – to Council.

The installation was supported under Council’s capital works budget and cost almost $4000, with the work carried out by local business Mikkelsen Electrical Contractors.

Mayor Danielle Slade said Council was keen to find out how the trial lights have been received by local residents, and whether there was community support for more lights to be installed on more sections of Tharrapatha Way or other public paths.

“The solar lights begin at the Alma Street Crossing side of Tharrapatha Way and are spaced about 20 metres apart and include motion detector technology that brightens them up by more than 50 percent whenever someone comes within a few metres of them,” Cr Slade said.

“It’s been about a few months since they were installed, and we would love to hear what community members think of them – have they been utilising the path more since they were installed? Would they use it more if more parts of it were lit in a similar manner?

“We’d also like to know if there are other areas that people think would benefit from solar lighting.

“Many people use this footpath and others around Mount Isa for fitness or recreation – for example, going for a stroll, walking the dog or riding their bike.

“The survey can be found on our website at www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/community-engagement, and I encourage people to have their say.

“The information and feedback that they provide will assist Council’s decision-making down the track and will help to determine if more lights should be installed, and where.”

The survey can also be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WNBP6DP and will be open until Friday, August 7.