Aikenhead Point Coastal Lighting Upgrade

Some projects stand out because of their scale... others stand out because of the impact they have on the people who use them every day.

The Aikenhead Point Coastal Lighting Upgrade in Devonport is one of those projects.

Set within one of Tasmania's most picturesque coastal locations, the project called for a lighting solution that would improve public safety while preserving the beauty of the surrounding environment. Rather than simply replacing the existing lighting, Degree C worked to completely rethink how the space could be illuminated, delivering a solution that is safer, more sustainable and far more visually refined.

Designing a Better Solution

Traditional lighting poles would have achieved the required light levels, but they also would have introduced visual clutter, increased maintenance requirements and had a greater impact on the surrounding coastal environment.

Instead, our team designed and delivered a fully integrated handrail lighting system, embedding 160 marine-grade LED luminaires within 290 metres of custom-fabricated polished stainless steel handrail.

The result is a continuous ribbon of subtle illumination that guides pedestrians along the walkway while allowing the landscape to remain the hero.

A Truly Collaborative Project

This project showcased what can be achieved when multiple Degree C teams work together.

Our Electrical and Fabrication divisions collaborated from the earliest stages of design, ensuring conduit systems were seamlessly integrated within the handrails before fabrication began. This close coordination produced an exceptionally clean finish while reducing installation time and eliminating the need for exposed services.

Working alongside TasPorts and environmental stakeholders, our team carefully planned every stage of construction to maintain public access while protecting the surrounding coastline throughout the works.

Built for Tasmania's Coastline

Coastal environments present some of the harshest conditions for electrical infrastructure.

Salt spray, strong winds and constant exposure demand products and installation methods that will continue performing for decades.

To meet these challenges, we selected marine-grade stainless steel fittings and low-wattage LED lighting specifically suited to the environment. Every element of the design was chosen to maximise durability while reducing future maintenance requirements.

Delivering Long-Term Value

The finished installation delivers benefits well beyond improved lighting.

By replacing traditional pole lighting with an integrated LED solution, the project has achieved:

• Around 50% lower running costs
• Approximately 80% lower maintenance costs
• Reduced light spill and glare
• Improved durability in harsh marine conditions
• A cleaner, more contemporary public space
• Greater protection for local wildlife and sensitive coastal habitats

Lighting That Enhances the Landscape

One of the greatest measures of success on this project is that the lighting feels like it has always belonged.

Rather than competing with the surrounding scenery, the integrated handrail lighting quietly enhances it. The walkway is safer and easier to navigate after dark, while the uninterrupted views across Bass Strait remain the centrepiece of the experience.

Projects like Aikenhead Point demonstrate Degree C's ability to deliver more than electrical installations. Through thoughtful design, in-house fabrication and technical expertise, we create infrastructure that is practical, sustainable and built to complement the environments in which it sits.