The Essential Services Commission is revoking the Public Lighting Code to remove unnecessary overlap and outdated rules.
The code was created to govern how electricity distributors provide public lighting services, setting standards and processes to support its delivery. Key rules include how electricity distributors connect and work with public lighting customers, like councils and VicRoads.
Most of these obligations are duplicated in national and other Victorian regulations. The obligations that are not duplicated will be transferred to the Electricity Distribution Code of Practice (EDCoP), including obligations related to:
public lighting minimum standards
approvals for new standard and non-standard fittings
information and reporting obligations
guaranteed service level payments for reporting public lighting faults
definitions relating to public lighting obligations.
Some minor amendments are also being made to the EDCoP to account for innovations in technology, such as changing maintenance requirements to recognise the improved longevity of lamps and new technologies that would allow distributors to remotely monitor lamps.
Electricity distributors are reminded that the standards are enforceable, and meeting these standards is important for public safety.
This decision has been informed by a public consultation where most electricity distribution businesses and an alliance of 70 local councils expressed support to revoke the code. The commission considered feedback from stakeholders when determining the obligations to transfer to the EDCoP.
The code of practice will be revoked on 31 December 2025. The standards retained by the EDCoP will take effect from 1 January 2026.
