About the project

We are improving lighting along public paths in Boroondara to make them safer for our community and allow more opportunities for people to enjoy being outdoors. This is particularly important in the early mornings, after dark and during winter’s shorter days.

We recently asked our community to provide feedback on a proposal to install solar lighting along the pathway in Peel Street Reserve, Kew. After receiving broad community support through consultation, we are now proceeding with the project.

Additional works

Following further investigation and feedback from nearby residents, some additional minor works are being delivered at Peel Street Reserve. This includes:

• relocating the existing picnic table adjacent to Peel Street on the west side of the playground. This aims to discourage unwanted behaviour by providing improved surveillance from the street to those using the park picnic setting
• planting 3 new trees on the northwest side of the playground and one where the existing picnic table is. This aims to increase shade and amenity
• undertaking drainage works by repairing the existing path and levels at the point of the existing drainage pit.

We also recently completed pruning the canopy of the existing trees to increase visibility down the pathway.

Works will happen during two stages. The first stage includes relocating the picnic table and tree planting from late-September 2022. The second stage covering all remaining works will happen throughout October 2022.

Final design

Select the hotspots below to view the additional works. The blue circles also show the location of the solar lights.

The lighting

We have thought carefully about the lighting we would use along these pathways. We want to make sure the light focuses on the paths and not on the park, so it minimises any impact on wildlife and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Key features of the lighting we would like to use include:

• energy efficient LED lighting generated by solar power
• motion sensors to activate and control light levels, dimming when there is no activity
• controlled timing, with the lights switched off between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am.

View examples of the solar lights below.