Letter to the Editor – Solar Lights at Leighton Beach

Dear Editor,

I would like to express my great disappointment at Fremantle City Council’s installation of solar lights along the beach path at Leighton.

Here’s an example of the lights in question.

According to scientific evidence their light will have a deadly effect on birds, insects, animals and plants that inhabit that strip of coastal bushland.

It is a wicked waste of money and a needless extravagance which will damage the environment.

Many insects such as moths are drawn to light and artificial light can be a fatal attraction.

Declining insect populations negatively impact all species that rely on them for food and pollination.This includes birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and other invertebrates.

A decline in insect population leads to shortages of food for these beings
impacting their survival and reproductive success.

Insects play a critical role in pollination enabling plants to
produce fruits and seeds.

If that fails there are potential impacts to the whole ecosystem.

These needless lights will add to the already heavy light pollution of the
Leighton area coming from street lights and cars.

Please can you ask the Council to reconsider the decision or at least
organise to have the lights turned off at 10 pm.

I would like to know if this is part of a lighting strategy and has it been advertised and what is the cost.

Or is there another agenda here?

Yours sincerely,

Sally Cox,

Leighton

~ If you’d like to COMMENT on this or any of our stories, don’t hesitate to email our Editor.

~ WHILE YOU’RE HERE –

~ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to receive your free copy of The Weekly Edition of the Shipping News each Friday!