Who is responsible for fixing a street light?

The City of Melbourne manages council-controlled street assets and will coordinate repairs; if the light is on distributor-owned infrastructure the council will liaise with the electricity distributor to arrange repair.

How long does a repair take?

Repair timing depends on urgency, safety risk and asset ownership; specific response times are not specified on the cited page.

Can I request additional lighting outside my property?

You can request an upgrade for safety or accessibility reasons; upgrades may require assessment, approvals and possibly funding or permits.

Melbourne Street Light Repair - Bylaw Guide

Utilities and Infrastructure Victoria 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026

Melbourne, Victoria residents and businesses rely on safe, well-lit streets for night-time safety and amenity. This guide explains how to request a street light repair or upgrade on streets managed by the City of Melbourne, who enforces relevant local controls, and what to expect from reporting, inspections, enforcement and appeals.

When to request a repair or upgrade

Report any public street light that is not working, flickering, damaged, or where additional lighting is needed for pedestrian or traffic safety. Prioritise locations with safety risks such as intersections, laneways, tram stops and pedestrian routes.

Street light not illuminating at night or flickering.
Visible physical damage to the pole, lantern or wiring.
Lights affecting traffic signals, tram stops or obstructing road signs.
Request for an upgrade or additional lighting for safety or accessibility reasons.

Report hazards promptly to reduce risk to pedestrians and drivers.

To lodge a report for City-managed streets use the City of Melbourne reporting portal or contact the council service team; many reports can be submitted online via the City of Melbourne report-a-street-light page report a street light^[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

Street lighting maintenance and unlawful interference may be governed by council local laws, public safety codes and the Electricity Safety Act where applicable. Specific monetary penalties, escalation and some enforcement details are not specified on the cited City of Melbourne page; see the official contact for enforcement pathways and further legal references.^[1]

Fines: not specified on the cited page.
Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary sanctions: orders to repair, removal or corrective notices may be issued; specific orders and procedures are not specified on the cited page.
Enforcer: City of Melbourne infrastructure or compliance teams handle local reports; electricity distributors may conduct repairs on network assets.
Inspection and complaint pathways: report via the City of Melbourne online portal or phone the council service centre for urgent hazards.
Appeals and review: specific appeal time limits and review routes are not specified on the cited page; typical options include requesting internal review with the council or seeking review through Victorian civil review bodies where applicable.
Defences/discretion: permitted works, approved permits or emergency works may be exempt; exact defences are not specified on the cited page.

If a light issue creates immediate danger, contact council or emergency services without delay.

Applications & Forms

The City of Melbourne page used for reporting provides the online reporting tool; there is no distinct downloadable ‘‘street light repair’’ form published on that page. For upgrades or changes that involve construction or road works you may need a road occupation or works permit from council; the specific form numbers and fees are not specified on the cited reporting page.^[1]

How the process typically works

Submit a report with location, photos and description via the council portal or by phone.
Council assesses whether the asset is managed by the council or an electricity distributor and arranges inspection.
Inspection and prioritisation based on safety risk; timing varies by workload and urgency.
If an upgrade requires construction or permits, you may be advised of fees or application steps (details not specified on the cited page).

FAQ

Who is responsible for fixing a street light?: The City of Melbourne manages council-controlled street assets and will coordinate repairs; if the light is on distributor-owned infrastructure the council will liaise with the electricity distributor to arrange repair.^[1]
How long does a repair take?: Repair timing depends on urgency, safety risk and asset ownership; specific response times are not specified on the cited page.
Can I request additional lighting outside my property?: You can request an upgrade for safety or accessibility reasons; upgrades may require assessment, approvals and possibly funding or permits, details not specified on the cited page.

How-To

Identify the exact location and take photos of the light, pole number or nearest address.
Go to the City of Melbourne report page and complete the online report with details and photos, or call the council service centre for urgent hazards.^[1]
Keep the reference number and track progress; follow up with the council if the issue remains unresolved after the expected timeframe.
If an upgrade requires permits or construction, ask council for application details and next steps for approvals or funding.

Key Takeaways

Report faults promptly to the City of Melbourne to reduce safety risks.
Use the council online portal or phone the service centre for urgent hazards.
Upgrades may need assessment, permits or funding; expect a review process.

Help and Support / Resources

[1] City of Melbourne - Report a street light