STREET & AREA, PEDESTRIAN

Cairns Marina lighting upgrade: Coastal durability meets responsible illumination

Before: Inconsistent light levels causing discomfort for users.
After: Clear, evenly distributed illumination using 4000 K luminaires to align with existing infrastructure.

Nighttime Visual Comfort

Before and After: A stark reduction in glare and upward spill contributes to a safer and more pleasant nighttime experience throughout the precinct.

Key Considerations

The precinct includes pedestrian pathways, vehicle access zones, and wharf fingers extending into marine areas. The original lighting products; indirect metal halide post-tops – delivered poor uniformity, created visual glare, and consumed significant energy.

While WE-EF typically recommends ≤3000 K for new installations, a site-specific approach was needed here. A combination of 2700 K and 4000 K luminaires was selected to maintain visual consistency with surrounding infrastructure while still supporting sustainability goals.

The project was delivered in collaboration with Raylinc Lighting, installation contractor Sequal Electrical and long-term client Ports North, who have utilised WE-EF products across the site for decades due to their proven durability and performance.

Challenges

• Glare and uneven lighting: The original lighting products contributed to harsh contrasts and a poor visual experience across shared pedestrian and vehicular spaces.
• Colour temperature strategy: While 2700 K was preferred for its environmental sensitivity, 4000 K luminaires were also required to blend with existing marina lighting and maintain a cohesive appearance.
• Environmental considerations: Light spill control was critical due to the proximity of wharf fingers to marine habitats.
• Resilience requirements: The site demanded highly durable lighting products capable of withstanding salt exposure, humidity, and tropical storms.

Solution

A total of 65 WE-EF RMT320 post-top luminaires were installed:

• 17 x 2700 K luminaires were used on the wharf fingers to provide warm, marine-sensitive lighting.
• 48 x 4000 K luminaires were used on surrounding land-based zones to match the existing lighting language of the site.

With precision optics that prevent upward light output, the RMT320 delivered significant performance improvements while meeting environmental, functional, and visual requirements. Each luminaire is treated with WE-EF’s robust 5CE + Primer corrosion protection system, providing exceptional resistance to salt and humidity in coastal environments. Backed by a 10-year warranty in Australia, the RMT320 luminaires deliver long-term peace of mind for asset managers and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance.

Results

• 64% energy savings: By replacing 75 W and 150 W metal halide fittings with 24 W and 48 W LED luminaires, the site achieved an estimated 16,000 kWh reduction in energy use annually.
• Enhanced visual comfort: Uniform illumination and low-glare optics improved safety and aesthetics throughout the precinct.
• Marine-sensitive design: Carefully selected optics and colour temperatures minimised light spill and supported responsible lighting practices in marine-adjacent zones.
• Built to endure: The RMT320’s marine-grade housing, 5CE + Primer protection, and 10-year Australian warranty provide long-term resilience, lower total cost of ownership, and assurance in extreme coastal conditions.

“We believe that the final result for the project meets the client’s design outcomes for a safe environment for both vehicular and pedestrian activity, while not adversely affecting the marine environment surrounding the area. This was achieved using appropriately selected products for the coastal environment.” – Zane Wylie, Lighting Consultant, Raylinc Lighting