New street light poles for Joondalup Drive in CBD

At a Joondalup council meeting earlier this year, councillors accepted a tender from Interlec WA for the lighting upgrade at a cost of $1.72 million.

A council document said there were 1428 light poles in the Joondalup city centre and it was intended they be replaced in phases.

It said the light poles were showing signs of deterioration, with some falling because of their structure and many requiring welding |reinforcement or rust treatment to allow them to |remain in place.

Work has now started on installing 115 double and 17 single light poles along Joondalup Drive.

Cr Kerry Hollywood said a strategy session was held last year to decide which light poles to use.

She said the straight-armed poles would “look amazing down the streets of the CBD of Joondalup”, adding a curved light pole would cost another $47,000.

Cr Tom McLean said the poles would be “modern and contemporary” and “that’s the sort of city we are”.

However, Cr Mike Norman did not agree and moved an amendment to install the curved poles as well as an anodised coloured base, which he said would hide dirt on the poles.

He said the curved poles were “no ordinary light poles”.

“They will have a major visual impact in our city centre. The straight arms look a bit too industrial while the curved arms are more elegant,” he said.

Cr Philippa Taylor agreed the straight poles were “rather harsh” and the curved poles were “more pleasing to look at”.

Cr Liam Gobbert said the City needed to move away from the antiquated 1970s-80s look.

“We’re not that City anymore; we’re a modern, vibrant city and we need to display functional infra-|structure,” he said.

Mayor Troy Pickard supported the amendment to install curved poles.

“The proposed straight-armed design, to me, looks like a crucifix,” he said.

“I don’t think it is in harmony with our branding.”

He said curved poles would still be contemporary and modern and would fit with the City’s logo and its style guide.

The amendment was defeated 5-8.

Cr Chester then moved another amendment to include the anodised coloured base on the light poles at a cost of an extra $12,000.

Infrastructure services director Nico Claassen said the base would match the colour of the luminaire and would be a good addition, particularly regarding maintenance.

The amendment was passed 11-2.