Canberra to upgrade 16,000 streetlights in smart push

Canberra will upgrade 16,000 streetlights under an expanded smart lighting project with Itron and Omexom, extending a programme that has been running in the Australian capital since 2019.

The expansion will increase the number of streetlights in Canberra using Itron's networked lighting controls to more than 47,000 from about 31,000. The ACT Government owns and maintains more than 83,000 streetlights in total, meaning the project would bring smart controls to nearly 60% of the network.

The ACT Government's City and Environment Directorate, which oversees planning, transport, city services and the environment in Canberra, has worked with Omexom and Itron on the scheme for seven years. When the original rollout began, it was described as one of Australia's largest standalone smart lighting programmes.

Under the latest arrangement, Omexom will remain the primary delivery partner and contract holder with the Directorate. It will continue to integrate, deploy and operate the system, while Itron will supply the lighting controllers, network and software used to manage the infrastructure.

The project centres on upgrading existing streetlights with Itron's External Networked Lighting Controller technology. The system is connected to the company's CityEdge software platform, giving the Directorate visibility over streetlighting operations and allowing remote monitoring and management of individual assets.

Operational focus

Over the past seven years, the existing smart lighting network has delivered energy savings and improved operational visibility for the Directorate. It has also helped maintain efficiency across the network through remote oversight and data on lighting assets.

The technology allows operators to monitor faults and performance without inspecting every streetlight in person. It also supports adaptive lighting control, allowing lighting levels to be adjusted as needed across streets, pathways and public areas.

This is significant for a city administration balancing public safety, maintenance demands and energy use across a large lighting estate. Street lighting also forms part of Canberra's wider transport and urban services system, where the government has set sustainability goals for public transport and public space management.

The Directorate is also pursuing transport-related sustainability initiatives, including zero-emission bus and light rail programmes. It has promoted walking, cycling and micromobility under its transport strategy, with street lighting forming part of the public realm that supports those travel options.

Future uses

Beyond lighting, the network has been presented as a base for additional connected city services. Itron said the platform can support applications such as environmental monitoring and traffic analytics alongside its core street lighting function.

This reflects a broader trend in local government technology projects, where communications networks installed for one purpose are later used to support other municipal services. In Canberra's case, the smart lighting network is being positioned as infrastructure that could host additional sensors or devices if the government chooses to expand its use.

A statement accompanying the announcement set out the government's rationale for continuing the work. "Canberra is often ranked as a highly livable city when compared internationally, and 90% of Canberrans recommend the ACT as a good place to live, well above the national average of 77%. Maintaining smart, reliable infrastructure that supports safe public spaces is an important part of preserving that quality of life. Through our continued collaboration with Omexom and Itron, we are expanding Canberra's smart lighting network to enhance services for the community while supporting our long-term sustainability and smart city objectives."

Itron described the latest phase as an extension of its established relationship with the territory government and Omexom. "For more than seven years, our collaboration with CED and Omexom has demonstrated how connected lighting infrastructure can help cities improve operational efficiency, support sustainability goals and create safer public spaces," said John Marcolini, Senior Vice President of Networked Solutions at Itron.

"As Canberra expands its smart lighting network, Itron's platform will continue to provide a foundation for innovation, enabling future smart city applications and helping CED advance its long-term smart city vision," Marcolini said.