Electrical (including lighting)

Site planning
Best practice guidance for site planning
Decision framework
There are a range of Australian Standards/best practice guidelines, relating to this category. Key documents are referenced throughout and in the LIM Electrical - Standards.
Electrical
Electrical services are to be installed as per the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.
Electrical works are to provide for all inspections and permits required by federal, state or local governments and authorities in furnishing and transporting materials.
Where there is no power on site, a ‘supply availability request’ is to be obtained - contact Energex.
Lighting
Lighting for the public realm is to be designed in accordance with AS/NZS 1158.3.1:2020 – Lighting for roads and public spaces – Pedestrian area (Category P) lighting - Performance and design requirements and AS 4282:2019 - Control of obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting.
Lighting must be installed to ensure there is no interference with known marine turtle nesting sites.
Events
Where approved, public use open space areas may be used for functions and civic and community events such as:
- Festivals (cultural, music)
- Markets
- Special events such as ceremonies, weddings, Christmas lights.
Events may require three phase power connection to power larger electrical motors (greater than 2 kilowatts).
Events in public use open space areas that require electrical connection must comply with the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.
- See Council Community Land Permits Temporary Event Application Information Pack for further guidance.
Site decisions
All decisions, including the location of the embellishment and related infrastructure, must be made in conjunction with council (determined by site location), including officers from such areas as:
- Council (Parks and Gardens)
- Council (Transport Network Management)
Users
Consult with council stakeholders, neighbouring properties and identified park users in the planning stage of a project.
Site conditions
Consider the physical characteristics of a site and requirements of the activities to be conducted:
- location of utilities
- well drained site
- level surface
- flood immunity requirements.
Co-location of facilities
Facilities, including parking and pathways, are often already established and need to be considered in the overall park design.
Safety
- To create a safe work environment during landscape management, comply with the MUTCD and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011.
- Where landscaping is provided adjacent to/adjoining drop-offs, slopes over 15 degrees, water, roads, electricity and other critical risks, a risk assessment must be undertaken. The risk assessment must be carried out by a suitably qualified professional, and barriers or other treatments must be provided to mitigate critical risks.
- Safety clearances must be met.
- Adopt principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Guidelines for Queensland. Locate electrical systems to allow users to feel safe, and to provide an opportunity for casual surveillance.
- It is illegal to do electrical work in Queensland without a licence. The Electrical Safety Act 2002 requires a person who performs or supervises electrical work to hold a current electrical work licence which authorises the person to perform the work.
Potential site conflicts
Locate electrical installations away from:
- Hazards such as waterways, fire and flood prone areas, sewers and stormwater drains, underground services, power poles and overhead power lines.
Smart technology
Smart infrastructure must be installed only where appropriate and only when approved by the asset custodian. See LIM Smart technologies for further guidance, including key considerations for installation.
Planning for sustainability
Refer Design principles – Sustainability for guidance.
Planning for future works
- Co-locate embellishments requiring similar services e.g. water, to reduce infrastructure, where possible.
- Where underground utilities are installed, set brass markers to concrete slab edges to indicate the location.
- Consider installation of additional conduits under concrete slabs for future provision, where utilities (e.g. electrical, water) and irrigation systems are planned. Ensure additional conduit is capped to prevent ingress of water and debris.
- Consider climate change impacts on the embellishment location and construction 1.
- In coastal areas, or near waterways, design should consider rise in sea level predictions, storm tide, salt inundation and severe storm events.
- Positioning should also consider flooding, seasonal/ephemeral water bodies and water table changes.
- Near bushland areas, design should consider the occurrence of bushfires.
Source 1: Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017.
Pre-design guide for electrical projects
Electrical project flowchart
This flowchart has been developed to guide the planning, design and delivery of electrical projects in Council open space areas.
See Appendix A : Electrical project flowchart.
Electrical audit guide
This audit template has been developed to guide the design and delivery of electrical projects in Council open space areas.
See Appendix B : Electrical audit guide (desktop analysis).
Electrical design guide
This design guide has been developed to develop an on-site analysis of proposed electrical projects in Council open space areas.
See Appendix C : Electrical design guide (on-site analysis with Consultant/Contractor).
Turtle safe lighting (light management for marine turtles)
This section has been developed to guide the management of lighting installations in Council open space areas, in regards to marine turtles.
See Appendix D : Turtle safe lighting (light management for marine turtles).
This component is currently in development