Steve Moneghetti: Olympian urges Ballarat council for Lake Wendouree lights
Olympian Steve Moneghetti has been fighting for lights around the popular Lake Wendouree track for more than a decade, and says now, more than ever, the long-awaited project must be completed. Here’s why.
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Olympian Steve Moneghetti is urging the City of Ballarat to stop dragging its feet over lighting for the popular Lake Wendouree running track named in his honour.
The council has just this month called for community feedback on the installation of 220 lights around the lake – despite the state government committing $2.5 million for the project more than two years ago.
Mr Moneghetti said he had been involved in talks about lighting for well over a decade, and it was time now for action on the long-awaited project.
He said people had resorted to wearing head lamps because they were unable to see others in front of them with strong car lights also blinding runners.
“It’s nice to see it actually advancing so I’m hoping it means it will happen but I never assume that, because I’ve assumed that in the past and it hasn’t happened,” he said.
“It seems more likely this time, I know there’s some controversy with it, so I’m hoping it’s done in a nice, subtle way that everyone can be happy with.
“I’ve become a bit cynical. Until the poles are in the ground and the connections are made I wouldn’t assume anything.”
Mr Moneghetti said with the number of residents using the track for their daily exercise under COVID-19 restrictions, it was more important than ever for the lights to be installed.
“I think it’s just such an asset to Ballarat, you go to other to other places and similar lakes and paths would be well lit because it needs to be safe and secure to encourage people to use it,” he said.
“Only at limited times and in spots … wildlife also use the lake so we need to respect that as well.”
Designs for the lighting show 5m tall LED poles.
It’s understood the Ballarat council is preparing to call for tenders after the completion of final concept designs, with construction later this year or early 2021.
According to council, the preferred lights have been chosen to avoid light spill, and will be programmed to turn on and off at set times to cause minimal disruption to animals.
An environmental assessment found lighting was unlikely to affect wildlife.
Wendouree MP Juliana Addison said funding for the lights committed at the 2018 state election, was strongly backed by the community.
“This investment from the Andrews Labor Government will see new lighting and safety upgrades so that anyone can walk, jog or run at any time of year,” she said.
Community consultation will be open until September 7.
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