Perth Street Lighting Bylaws - Western Australia

Utilities and Infrastructure Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

In Perth, Western Australia, street lighting is managed through a mix of municipal policy, utility responsibility and state road standards. This guide explains how local councils, utilities and Main Roads interact on public lighting design, maintenance and compliance, and how residents and contractors should report faults, request new lighting or seek variances. It summarises enforcement pathways and practical steps for council officers and the public to follow when dealing with deficient or non-compliant street lights.

Scope & Authorities

Councils set local requirements for lighting on local roads and public spaces, while the distribution network operator or state road authority manages installation and maintenance on its network. Technical design often references Australian standards and Main Roads guidelines. For maintenance and fault reporting, utilities and Main Roads are typically the operational contacts.

Check who owns the pole before commissioning works.

Design Standards & Technical References

Public lighting design commonly refers to nationally recognised technical standards for road and pedestrian lighting; councils may adopt or reference these standards in policy and project specifications. Where state roads are affected, Main Roads standards apply for carriageway lighting and sight-distance requirements.

Penalties & Enforcement

Council enforcement for non-compliant or unsafe lighting depends on the applicable local law, planning approval or asset management agreement with the utility. Specific monetary penalties, escalation and time limits are not listed on the cited operational pages and therefore are not specified in this guide; see the official sources for any published fines or penalty schedules.

  • Enforcers: Local council infrastructure or engineering teams for local roads; Western Power or the network operator for distribution assets[1]; Main Roads WA for state roads and highways[2].
  • Non-monetary sanctions: remedial orders, requirement to remove or replace fittings, withholding of occupancy or use approvals, or court injunctions (where authorised by local laws or state legislation) - specific orders and procedures are not specified on the cited operational pages.
  • Fines and fees: not specified on the cited pages; consult the council's consolidated local laws or published fee schedules for exact amounts.
  • Appeals and reviews: council adjudication procedures or statutory review paths apply; time limits for lodging appeals are not specified on the cited operational pages.
If a lamp presents an immediate safety risk, report it to the network operator and the council promptly.

Common violations

  • Unauthorised works on street lighting columns (permit required).
  • Poorly aimed or inadequate lighting affecting pedestrian safety.
  • Failure to maintain fixtures causing outages or hazards.

Applications & Forms

Applications and forms vary by council and project type. For standard fault reports, utilities provide online fault-reporting forms; for new installations or developer-funded upgrades councils require an application or engineering approval — specific form names, numbers and fees are not listed on the cited operational pages and must be obtained from the responsible council or authority.

Operational Responsibilities & Reporting

Typical responsibilities and how to report:

  • Report faulty or dangerous street lights to the distribution network operator for repair; many utilities provide an online outage or streetlight fault report form[1].
  • For lighting issues on state roads, contact Main Roads WA for operational action or standards inquiries[2].
  • For planning approvals or new light installation requests on local roads, submit an application to the council's engineering or development services team.
Network operators usually own and maintain street lighting assets even on local streets.

FAQ

Who is responsible for repairing a broken street light?
Responsibility usually sits with the network operator that owns the lighting asset; the council manages requests for new lights or upgrades and liaises with the operator for repairs.
Can I install a light on a council verge?
Installation on a verge generally requires council approval and compliance with asset and electrical safety rules; an application to the council is required.
Are there standards for light spill and glare?
Yes. Lighting design should control spill and glare to meet road and pedestrian safety standards; refer to the technical standards and Main Roads guidance for specific criteria.

How-To

  1. Identify the asset owner by checking council maps or asking the council engineering team.
  2. Report the fault to the network operator using their official online reporting tool or phone line, providing pole ID or location details.
  3. If you need a new light or an upgrade, submit a formal application to the council with site plans and justification.
  4. If the council issues an order or refusal, follow the council review or appeal process as set out in its governance documents.
Keep photos and exact location references when reporting faults to speed up repairs.

Key Takeaways

  • Councils, network operators and Main Roads share roles: check ownership before acting.
  • Use the utility's fault-reporting system for outages; use council applications for new installations.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Western Power - Street lighting and fault reporting
  2. [2] Main Roads WA - Road lighting guidance

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