Gunbalangya Oval Lighting

Services

Electrical & Lighting / Project Management

Industries

Remote & Regional Development / Indigenous & Cultural Projects 

Project Manager

Ciaran Cross

Client

West Arnhem Regional Council

Location

Gunbalanya, NT 

Scope

Design and installation of four 30m lighting towers with floodlights, distribution board, and underground reticulation 

Timeline

Completed July 2024

Project Overview

MEC NT was engaged by West Arnhem Regional Council to deliver a turnkey lighting upgrade for Gunbalanya Oval, located in the remote community of Gunbalanya, NT. The project involved the supply and installation of four high-mast, lowerable lighting towers, designed to provide safe, reliable illumination for sporting and community events. Practical completion was achieved on 23 July 2024.

Challenge

The project required the delivery of high-performance lighting infrastructure in a remote location, with unique logistical and environmental challenges: 

  • Ensuring safe installation and ongoing maintenance in a remote, regional setting. 


  • Designing a lowerable mast system to facilitate easy servicing and compliance with safety standards. 


  • Minimising disruption to community activities during construction. 



  • Respecting local wildlife, including nesting hawks found on lighting heads, in accordance with environmental regulations.

Solution

MEC NT provided a comprehensive solution: 

  • Supplied and installed four lowerable high-mast lighting towers, each fitted with six luminaires per pole for optimal field illumination. 


  • Implemented a lowerable headframe system, allowing safe ground-level maintenance and cleaning. 


  • All electrical connections, cabling, surge diverters, motors, pulleys, and wire ropes were installed to high standards and confirmed in excellent condition during post-installation inspections. 


  • Maintenance procedures were documented, with recommendations for annual lowering and inspection, and biennial gearbox oil changes. 



  • Environmental compliance was maintained by leaving hawk nests undisturbed, as they posed no risk to lighting operation.

Results

  • The oval now benefits from reliable, high-quality lighting suitable for night-time sporting and community events. 


  • All lighting towers and associated infrastructure were confirmed in excellent condition during the first annual maintenance check (June 2025). 


  • Lowerable mast design ensures ongoing safety and ease of maintenance. 


  • The project supports community engagement and regional development objectives.