In the City of Mandurah, a growing concern over inoperative streetlights has sparked debates about road safety and the effectiveness of maintenance efforts. The issue was brought to the forefront during the City of Mandurah's May council meeting, where Cr. Dave Schumacher highlighted a noticeable increase in non-functional streetlights over the past few months. He shared his personal experience of a particularly frustrating incident on McLarty Road, where the streetlight remained out for an extended period.
This issue is not isolated to one individual, as Cr. Schumacher mentioned that many others have also reported similar problems. The situation has raised questions about the city's ability to maintain its infrastructure, especially as the number of non-functional lights continues to rise. The City of Mandurah's director of built and natural environment, Matthew Hall, acknowledged the challenge, noting that most street lighting in the city is owned and maintained by Western Power.
According to Hall, the repair time for streetlights varies depending on the nature of the fault. Simple globe replacements can be addressed relatively quickly, but electrical faults or delays in sourcing parts for aging infrastructure can extend the repair process to three to four months. This delay is a significant concern, especially when it comes to ensuring road safety.
Cr. Jenny Green expressed her worries about the lack of streetlights making roads dangerous. She specifically mentioned roundabouts, where the absence of streetlights can make it challenging for drivers to navigate safely. Green's concern is not unfounded, as Hall explained that in the absence of working streetlights, drivers rely on their headlights and reflective pavement markings, which can be inadequate in low-light conditions.
To address this issue, Hall assured that city officers are ready to investigate and prioritize repairs for problematic locations. Western Power, the primary maintenance provider, operates approximately 11,600 streetlights in the City of Mandurah. In May, they received 166 fault reports, which is a relatively small percentage of the total streetlights.
Of these reports, 73 lights were repaired, 53 were found to be functioning, and 32 required traffic management before repair. Despite the challenges, Western Power reported an average repair time of 6.7 business days in May, which is relatively quick compared to the potential three to four-month delays mentioned earlier.
The company uses a combination of community and local government reporting, along with maintenance-initiated auditing, to manage streetlights. Residents and city officials can report maintenance issues through an online tool or by calling 13 13 51. While the situation is concerning, the city and Western Power are taking steps to address the problem, but the long-term impact on road safety remains a critical issue that requires ongoing attention and improvement.
