Client: Ballarat City Council

Nestled in the heart of Ballarat, alongside the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Victoria Park, Lake Wendouree is one of the city’s most treasured recreational destinations. Whether walking, running, cycling or simply enjoying the scenic surrounds, thousands of residents and visitors make use of the lake’s popular 6 km shared pathway every year.
To extend the safe use of the trail beyond daylight hours and encourage year-round activity, Ballarat City Council sought a lighting solution that would enhance the user experience while preserving the area’s unique natural and heritage values.
The project required a carefully considered design approach. Working within a Heritage Tree Overlay meant protecting the lake’s iconic mature trees while meeting strict lighting and environmental standards. The solution needed to comply with AS/NZS 1158 PP3 pathway lighting requirements and AS/NZS 4282 for the control of obtrusive light, eliminate upward light spill and unwanted glare, minimise disruption to underground services, and utilise low-height poles to avoid conflicts with existing vegetation—all without compromising safety or performance.
The result was the installation of 232 Ligman Macaron luminaires, each delivering 104W of highly efficient illumination at a warm 3000 K colour temperature using a T2 pathway optic. Mounted on 6-metre poles, the lighting design provides exceptional uniformity and excellent visual comfort, creating a welcoming environment for pedestrians while respecting the surrounding landscape.
The impact has been significant. The beautifully illuminated pathway now offers a safer, more inviting space after dark, with evening use of the track increasing dramatically since the installation.
Every luminaire is equipped with intelligent communication capability, allowing adjacent fittings to interact as part of a connected lighting network. The system is also managed via daylight sensors and programmable time clocks, automatically operating from dusk until 10:00 pm before switching back on at 5:30 am each morning to support early users.
To complete the project, Ballarat City Council selected a custom finish for both the luminaires and poles, ensuring the installation blends harmoniously with the surrounding trees and natural landscape. The result is a lighting solution that not only enhances safety and usability but also celebrates and protects one of Ballarat’s most iconic public spaces.

Products Featured – Ligman Macaron

Photography and Video – Australian Photo And Imaging Group

Project Category – Community