Background
Lake Albert is a popular recreational destination in Wagga Wagga, NSW, with a 5.5 km shared pathway extending around the lake. The walking track is used by residents and visitors for walking, jogging and cycling, providing access to surrounding parkland and recreational facilities.
Recognising an opportunity to extend the use of the pathway beyond daylight hours, local community organisation Committee 4 Wagga (C4W) developed the Lights 4 Lake initiative.
The project originated through C4W’s Emerging Leaders program and aimed to encourage greater recreational use of the lake during early mornings and evenings, particularly during winter when daylight hours are shorter.
Project Overview
The Lights 4 Lake initiative brought together local businesses, community groups, residents and government to fund the installation of solar pathway lighting around the lake.
The project received financial support from Wagga Wagga City Council and the NSW Government, with Committee 4 Wagga coordinating a community fundraising program to secure the remaining funding.
Under the sponsorship model, individuals, businesses and community organisations could sponsor individual light poles, with their contributions acknowledged through plaques installed on the poles.
The initiative delivered 104 solar-powered pathway lights around the lake’s 5.5 km walking circuit, providing lighting infrastructure to support recreational activity outside daylight hours.
Considerations and Challenges
The project required a lighting solution suitable for an established recreational pathway within a lakeside environment. Key considerations included:
- Lighting Requirements: Designing the installation to meet AS/NZS 1158 Category P4 pedestrian lighting requirements.
- Pathway Coverage: Providing lighting along the full 5.5 km walking circuit for pedestrians, joggers and cyclists.
- Visual Integration: Selecting contemporary lighting infrastructure that complemented the surrounding parkland and lakeside environment.
- Independent Power Supply: Using solar-powered lighting to avoid the need for a continuous grid-connected electrical supply along the pathway.
- Energy Management: Designing independent solar lighting systems with appropriate battery storage and lighting controls for the application.
- Community Funding: Delivering the installation through a combination of government contributions and individual sponsorships.
Solution
Green Frog Systems designed and supplied 104 GFS-STEALTH solar pathway lighting systems, installed on contemporary 8 m poles around the Lake Albert walking track.
The lighting layout was designed to meet AS/NZS 1158 Category P4 pedestrian lighting requirements while maintaining an appearance appropriate to the surrounding recreational environment.
The GFS-STEALTH is an all-in-one solar lighting system incorporating a solar panel, battery storage, LED luminaire and lighting controls within a compact assembly.
Each system operates independently of the electricity grid, eliminating the need for a continuous underground electrical supply connecting the light poles.
The installation was completed by the Green Frog Systems team, with the 104 lighting systems distributed around the lake to provide illumination along the shared pathway.
Products Used
104 × GFS-STEALTH Solar Pathway Lights
All-in-one solar lighting systems installed on 8 m poles, providing independent solar-powered illumination around the Lake Albert walking circuit.
The GFS-STEALTH has since been retired. For new pathway projects, the Aeromax range is its replacement.
Results
Completed in March 2017, the Lights 4 Lake project delivered 104 solar-powered lighting systems along the 5.5 km walking circuit, supporting greater recreational use of the area during early morning and evening hours.
The installation demonstrated how a community-led funding model could support the delivery of public lighting infrastructure, with local businesses, residents and community organisations contributing directly to the project.
By using independently powered solar lighting systems, the project also avoided the need for a continuous grid-connected electrical network along the pathway.
Testimonial
“We want to give people inspiration to get out and exercise around the lake at night and give more people reason to stop by.”
Judy Galloway, Chairman, Committee 4 Wagga
Conclusion
The Lake Albert project demonstrates the application of solar pathway lighting across an established recreational precinct.
Through collaboration between Committee 4 Wagga, government, local businesses and community sponsors, the project delivered lighting infrastructure along the lake’s 5.5 km shared pathway.
The installation provides an example of how independently powered solar lighting can be incorporated into existing public spaces to extend recreational access without extensive electrical infrastructure.
