Auckland City Council Media release

5 June 2008

Town Hall lights get switched off

The ornamental lighting of Auckland City's Town Hall will be turned off as Auckland City Council plays its part to help to conserve electricity this winter.

"Given the current low electricity lake levels and the potential electricity shortage the country may face, I have asked officials to turn off all ornamental lighting on council owned properties starting with the Town Hall," said Mayor of Auckland city, John Banks.

"By all playing our part we can ensure that our friends throughout the country can continue to have a supply of electricity throughout the winter," said Mr Banks.

The council is also looking at turning off all the other ornamental lighting on council-owned assets across the city like the Mission Bay fountain, feature lighting in parks and the cliff lighting along Tamaki Drive.

"Many of the council's power saving initiatives that were made in 2003 when I was Mayor of Auckland city have been retained and embedded in the organisation which means that the electricity usage across the council has been reduced," said Mr Banks.

During the electricity shortage in 2003, the Auckland City Council removed all excess lighting from its offices and encouraged staff to switch off their computers and lights overnight.

"I have asked officials to look into further opportunities for conserving electricity and we will be implementing these over the next few weeks," said Mr Banks.

The council will ensure that all lighting that is required for safety, or for the provision of essential services to the city will not be impacted.

The removal of ornamental lighting will be reviewed when there is certainty over the electricity supply for the country.

ENDS

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