Wheel of fortune
Fiona Willan
07May08
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: The Wheel being developed in September last year. Picture: TONY GOUGH.
A HIGH-TECH lighting system custom-designed in South Korea and costing more than $3 million will light up Docklands' long-awaited giant ferris wheel. Work is under way to install about 3.5km of light emitting diode (LED) tubes on the Southern Star Observation Wheel by August.
The low-voltage tubes, designed by LG Electronics Korea, will be digitally controlled to feature more than one billion varieties of colours.
ING real estate development chief executive Greg Boyd said the lights would not be bright enough to negatively impact on Docklands residents.
"It is important to note that at full power, the LED tubes will glow and outline the wheel, but will not 'project' any light, as per typical light sources," he said.
He said LED tubes were considered to be one of the most energy-efficient light sources.
"Generally, LED tubes use 30 to 40 per cent less energy than standard fluorescent tubes at the same size and length, whilst energy savings are estimated to be close to 80 percent less than an average light bulb," he said.
It is expected the lights will be switched off when the wheel closes at 10pm each day. The $100 million ferris wheel will dominate the city's western skyline, standing 120m tall.
It is expected to open by the end of the year.
Docklands Community Association member Michelle Anderson believed the ferris wheel would be good for tourism.
"I have no concerns about it," she said.
"I think all the residents would like to see it do well.''
