When you are responsible for lighting a car park, whether it is at a shopping centre, office, or public space, it is about more than just brightness. It is about helping people feel safe at night, ensuring drivers can see clearly, and knowing your lighting poles will last and keep performing for years to come. The right car park lighting can transform an ordinary parking area into a well-lit, welcoming space that enhances safety and reduces liability concerns.
At G&S Industries, we’ve been helping businesses across Western Australia choose and install the right lighting poles for their car parks for over 50 years. We’ve seen how proper car park lighting makes a real difference to for both drivers and pedestrians, and operational costs.
Understanding Car Park Lighting Requirements
Car park lighting is not the same everywhere. The needs change depending on whether it is an underground car park, a shopping centre, or a remote industrial site. What always matters is having enough light to keep both drivers and pedestrians safe.
Australian standards outline the minimum lighting levels for different types of parking areas. These are not just boxes to tick for compliance. They are about creating spaces where people feel safe and confident.
When planning your setup, think about the height and spacing of your poles, the type of lights you use, and how to reduce glare without losing brightness. Underground car parks can be tricky with their tight spaces and ramps, while outdoor areas face challenges such as weather and vandalism.
LED Lighting Solutions for Modern Car Parks
LED technology has revolutionised car park lighting, and frankly, it’s hard to justify using anything else these days. The energy savings alone make LED lighting a cost-effective choice, but the benefits extend far beyond reduced power bills.
LED luminaires provide superior light quality with better colour rendering, which helps with security cameras and makes the environment feel safer for users. The longer lifespan means you’re looking at years of reduced maintenance, which is particularly valuable when you have poles installed across large areas.
We have found that LED systems offer much greater control and flexibility. You can adjust the brightness throughout the night, use smart controls that respond to how the space is used, or connect the lighting to your security system. This helps you keep the lighting just right while reducing energy use during quieter times.
LED technology is also built to last. It performs well in tough car park environments where lights are exposed to dust, weather, and the occasional knock. Modern LED fittings are designed to handle these conditions while still delivering consistent, reliable performance.
Solar Car Park Lighting: Cost Effective and Sustainable
Solar car park lighting has moved from being an impractical, idealistic solution to a reliable option for some projects. If you’re working on a project where grid connection is expensive or impractical, solar poles can provide a reasonable solution that reduces both installation costs and ongoing operational expenses.
The technology has improved dramatically in recent years. Modern solar lighting systems can provide reliable illumination even during Perth’s shorter winter days. Battery technology has advanced to the point where you can expect consistent performance throughout the night, and the integrated controllers can adjust output based on usage patterns or time of night.
From a project point of view, solar car park lighting removes the need for trenching and complex electrical work, which can greatly cut down on installation time and cost. It is an ideal choice for temporary setups, remote sites, or when you want to add lighting to an existing car park without major construction.
The sustainability aspect is increasingly important for many organisations. Solar lighting helps achieve environmental goals while providing practical benefits, and government incentives can make the economics even more attractive.
Car Park Lighting Standards Australia
Compliance with Australian lighting standards isn’t optional, and AS/NZS 1158 sets out the specific requirements for car park lighting that you need to meet. These standards cover everything from minimum illuminance levels to uniformity ratios and glare restrictions.
The standards recognise different categories of car parks with varying requirements. A covered car park at a major shopping centre has different lighting requirements compared to an open car park at a suburban office building. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for designing a compliant system.
Non-compliance can create liability issues, fail safety inspections, or require costly retrofitting later. The standards also provide guidance on maintenance factors, which affect how you plan for light output degradation over time.
Working with the standards means considering factors like disability access requirements, emergency lighting provisions, and specific illuminance levels for vehicle circulation areas versus pedestrian paths. These details matter when you’re specifying poles and planning their placement.
Choosing the Right Poles for Your Parking Areas
The poles you choose form the backbone of your entire car park lighting system. We manufacture a range of options, from our square SHS poles through to circular CHS designs, each suited to different applications and aesthetic requirements.
For car parks, durability is paramount. Our galvanised steel poles provide the corrosion resistance needed for long-term reliability, particularly important in coastal areas or industrial environments. The hot-dip galvanising process ensures protection that lasts for decades with minimal maintenance.
Height is a critical consideration. Too low and you create glare problems for drivers; too high and you may not achieve adequate uniformity across the ground level. Streetlighting poles in the 8-12 metre range typically work well for car parks, though this depends on your specific layout and lighting requirements.
Hinged pole options deserve serious consideration for car park applications. Mid-hinged pole designs make maintenance much easier and safer, eliminating the need for elevated work platforms or cherry pickers. When you’re dealing with multiple poles across a large car park, these maintenance savings add up quickly.
The mounting method also matters. Direct burial can be a cost-effective approach, but baseplate mounting gives you more flexibility and makes future changes easier. Your ground conditions and local requirements will influence this decision too.
Real-World Example: Bunnings Malaga Car Park Lighting
A recent project at the new Bunnings store in Malaga shows how quality lighting poles can make a real difference. G&S Industries supplied 28 x 9.1M Square SHS poles to support the lighting system across the car park and driveway areas. The square design offers a clean, modern look that suits the retail setting while providing the strength needed for a busy site.
Our role was to supply durable, low-maintenance poles that could handle daily wear from vehicles, shopping trolleys, and weather exposure. The galvanised finish protects against corrosion, ensuring long service life with minimal upkeep.
This project highlights how the right pole selection supports safe, reliable lighting and helps maintain the appearance and efficiency of high-traffic commercial spaces.
Planning a Car Park Lighting Project?
If you are planning a new car park or upgrading an existing one, our team at G&S Industries can help you choose the right lighting poles for your project. With over 50 years of experience supplying poles across Australia, we understand the challenges of balancing safety, compliance, and long-term value.
Talk to us about your car park lighting needs, and let our team guide you toward a durable, low-maintenance solution that fits your site and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
LED luminaires are the standard choice for modern car park lighting due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and superior light quality. These lights provide bright, uniform illumination while using significantly less power than older technologies. Depending on your specific requirements, you might also consider high-pressure sodium or metal halide lights, though LED systems generally offer better performance and lower operating costs.
Lighting levels in car parks are guided by Australian standards, which usually call for between 5 and 20 lux depending on how the area is used. Spaces where vehicles move around need brighter lighting than standard parking bays, and covered car parks often have different requirements from open-air ones. The right lighting level also depends on factors such as safety needs, security, and any local council guidelines.
Outdoor car park lighting in Australia needs to meet the AS/NZS 1158 standard, which outlines how bright and even the lighting should be, and how to manage glare. The standard covers different types of car parks and sets minimum lighting levels for areas such as driveways, walkways, and parking bays. Following these requirements helps keep people safe, reduces the risk of accidents, and ensures your car park meets Australian regulations.