Bold proposal to light up museum

It's already one of New Zealand's most photographed buildings and plans are under way to illuminate it at night.

Rotorua district councillors were presented with a new plan to illuminate the Rotorua Museum at a meeting of the council's economic and regulatory services committee on Tuesday.

In his report to councillors Rotorua Museum director Greg McManus said lighting the museum building would attract more people into the Government Gardens at night and add to the overall experience of the area, especially during summer.

"Now, with the completion of the building structure to its original intended specifications, it is an opportune time to revisit the need for the building to be properly lit to enhance it and the surrounding Government Gardens and to provide a dramatic focal point for visitors to the area," he said.

Auckland company LDP Ltd has put together a detailed concept design for the illumination of the entire building that would cost up to $1.8 million. The cost to illuminate just the front facade and roof is about $1 million.

The plan is the brainchild of the Rotorua Museum Centennial Trust and would be fully funded by the trust, at no cost to ratepayers.

The estimated cost to power and maintain the lighting would be in the region of $8000 a year and would be funded from rates.

However, the old fashioned street lights running through the centre of the Government Gardens would need to be removed, along with at least one tree.

The concept is to illuminate the roof and towers of the building along with its windows, facades and the main entrance, with the main path illuminated by ground level lights.

Centennial Trust chairman Lyall Thurston said fundraising would be the major issue in a tough economic climate.

"It really would be the icing on the cake and a major feature of one of New Zealand's most iconic buildings."

Mr Thurston said the trust were aware of the council's plans to upgrade feature and safety lighting in the area and any work would need to be done in consultation with the council.

Witham could be plunged into darkness as thousands of streetlights are set to be turned off to save energy and cash.
Essex County Council is consulting with Witham Town Council and surrounding parish councils about turning off lights between midnight and 5am.

Main roads such as Newland Street and Albert Road where Witham Station is will remain lit as will junctions and roundabouts.

But routes such as Hatfield Road, Collingwood Road, Spa Road, Guithavon Street and Mill Lane are set to have street lights turned off.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said “We operate around 12,000 streetlights across the Braintree district.
“The number of lights which will be switched to part-night will not be determined until after the end of the consultation period.”

The plans are expected to save tens of thousands of pounds per year and cut carbon emissions by 8,000 tonnes annually.