Work to light up Oamaru’s Severn St trees, between Cross and Thames Sts, starts next week. It is the continuation of a Lions club-led community project in the late 1990s to enhance the entrance to Oamaru.
The Waitaki District Council committed to maintaining the lights gifted by the North Otago Lions, and did so until about five years ago, when they became affected by moisture and unserviceable.
Roading network engineer Josephine Wallace said the advancement of new lighting technology had provided the pathway for the council to bring the community gift back to life now.
The trees will be lit by WE-EF luminaires, used extensively for urban beautification, parks and monuments, which will have a warm light.
There would be no glare to motorists or pedestrians, and existing boxes would be used to avoid any unnecessary exposure of the trees’ roots, Miss Wallace said.
‘‘We are really excited to get this project off the ground as the lights have not been working for some time,’’ she said.
‘‘There has been huge advances in lighting technology in recent years and we believe these new lights will enhance the prestige of the trees and we can celebrate the tree-lined boulevard in all of its glory again.’’
The North Otago Lions Club was passionate about getting the lights up and running again, and the council was happy to be able to deliver the project.
Funding for the lights was approved in the council’s 2017-18 annual plan, and the work, to be undertaken by Network Waitaki, should be completed in the next two weeks.
