AN innovative new automated sports field lighting system is operating in Port Macquarie.
The system – two years in the planning – was officially launched by Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling earlier this month at Wayne Richards Park.
The launch represents a major improvement in the management and operation of sports field lighting and associated invoicing procedures.
The council’s recreation and buildings manager Liam Bulley said the system had been fully tested and was now in operation at Blackbutt Park, Findlay Park, Macquarie Park and Netball Courts, Regional Stadium, Stuart Park, Wayne Richards Park and Woods Street.
Up until recently, users groups at these facilities were required to manually turn the lights on and off before and after each training session. Invoices were based on estimated usage and were considered less than accurate.
Mr Bulley said the new system would provide user groups with ease of activation via SMS, accurate recording and quarterly usage of their actual usage.
Access to the system will only be available to those user groups with approved sports field allocations along with authorisation to use the lighting system at nominated times.
Each user group will be able to nominate up to four people responsible for light activation who will be issued with a special PIN code.
Mr Bulley said the new system would also enable council to control lighting systems and to restrict access in the event of field closures.
It is also considered better for the environment because it will help reduce energy waste from lights being left on unnecessarily.
