PETITION TO JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL:

RETAIN AND MAINTAIN JUNEE’S UNDER-AWNING STREET LIGHTING
To: The General Manager of Junee Shire Council
Subject: Urgent Request to Halt the Disconnection of Under-Awning Streetlights in Junee’s Shopping Precinct

We, the undersigned residents, business owners, property owners and visitors of the Junee Shire, respectfully petition Junee Shire Council to urgently reconsider its March 2026 decision to support Essential Energy in relinquishing responsibility for 49 under-awning streetlights across Junee’s historic shopping precinct.

Background and Concerns
Following formal notices issued by Council on 29 October 2026, affected commercial property and business owners were informed that existing under-awning lights will be disconnected from Essential Energy’s unmetered street lighting network—with a proposed disconnection date of 18 January 2027—unless owners pay to rewire the fixtures into their private electricity supplies.

This decision was made by Council at their March meeting without community consultation or engagement with business owners. It then took seven months for Council to inform business owners.

These lights span five circuits associated with the Junee Hotel, Commonwealth Bank, Commercial Hotel, and Broadway and have illuminated Junee’s public footpaths for decades. While Council has noted plans to provide alternative public lighting within its operating budget over a two-year period at an estimated cost of $100,000, disconnecting the existing network before replacements are installed raises immediate concerns.

Public Safety and Accessibility:
Switching off dozens of footpath lights in January 2027 without immediate alternative lighting in place creates dark zones, increasing trip hazards and safety risks for pedestrians, elderly residents, and evening patrons.

Unfair Financial Burden on Local Businesses: 
Requiring small businesses and property owners to fund private rewiring, ongoing maintenance, and electricity running costs within a three-month window over the busy holiday period shifts the cost of lighting public footpaths onto private ratepayers.

Heritage and Streetscape Impact: 
Uncoordinated disconnections or inconsistent private lighting will diminish the visual character, security, and night time appeal of Junee’s historic main street precinct.

Our Request

We therefore call upon Junee Shire Council to:

1. Place an immediate moratorium on the proposed 18 January 2027 disconnection of the 49 under-awning streetlights.
2. Assume responsibility for, or negotiate an interim agreement with Essential Energy to keep the existing under-awning lighting network operational until Council’s alternative public lighting is fully funded, installed, and switched on.
3. Conduct genuine public consultation with affected business owners, property owners, and community members before implementing any changes to street lighting infrastructure in the Junee CBD.