By Ewen McRae
Lake light upJust in time for the end of daylight savings, the Light Up Lake Caroline lighting upgrades have been officially unveiled.
In response to calls for improved lighting around the lake to enhance community safety, more than 70 light towers have been installed around the lake’s perimeter.
The completed project was launched with a Heart Foundation walk, a night market and Kororoit MP Marlene Kairouz joining councillors and locals to celebrate last Friday.
“Lake Caroline is a wonderful spot for Caroline Springs’ residents to socialise, exercise and enjoy the local sights and birdlife,”
Ms Kairouz said.
“The Light Up Lake Caroline project makes it a suitable venue for people to visit at night as well.”
Lights now cover the full 1.9-kilometre perimeter of the lake, making it a safer place for walking after dark.
For nearby residents, the lights dim to 50 per cent after midnight before returning to full strength at 5.30am.
The project was supported by two state government grants valued at $355,000, as well
as a contribution of $360,000 from Melton council.
The money for the project came through the government’s Public Safety Infrastructure grants, which support projects that improve community safety, security and confidence in public places.
Across Victoria, the grants are being used to improve lighting, install CCTV, upgrade landscaping and streetscapes and improve facilities and urban design to increase natural surveillance and perceptions of safety.
The Public Safety Infrastructure grants are part of the government’s Community Crime Prevention Program.
The program has funded seven projects valued at more than $670,000 in Melton since 2015.
