Client: Greater Sydney Parklands and NSW Transport
Location: Parramatta, Sydney
Lighting Designer: Electrolight
Integrator: Tower Automation
Project Stats:
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7 zencontrol Controllers
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6 zencontrol Switches
- 85 Sensors (Tridonic Sensors integrated with zencontrol drivers)
As part of Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, a key pedestrian route through Parramatta Park has undergone a major lighting upgrade designed to improve night-time comfort and visibility for park users. The project required a solution that would enhance safety without disturbing the heritage landscape or natural environment of the park.
Delivered by Tower Automation, this project introduced a unique cascading lighting effect along the pedestrian loop. The lighting poles in Parramatta Park are not connected to each other by any lighting control wiring. Instead, each pole contains its own zencontrol application controller with an independent internet connection.

Through the zencontrol cloud, the controllers communicate and coordinate the cascading effect. Each pole brightens in sequence as a pedestrian approaches, even though there is no physical or wireless control link between the poles. This behaviour was achieved through zencontrol’s cloud-based architecture.
During quiet periods the poles remain at low-output standby levels to reduce environmental impact while still providing essential visibility within the park. The installation includes seven zencontrol controllers, six switches and eighty-five Tridonic driver-integrated sensors providing responsive detection along the pathway.

The system complies with AS/NZS 1158.3.1:2020 for Pedestrian Area Lighting and also provides gentle illumination to surrounding areas to support wayfinding and user comfort after dark. With access to the zencontrol cloud dashboard, Tower Automation can remotely monitor and adjust system behaviour as the park’s needs change.
This upgrade has delivered a safer and more welcoming experience for people travelling through the park after dark. It supports the goals of the Safer Cities for Women & Girls initiative and demonstrates how cloud-connected lighting control can transform public spaces without major infrastructure work.
See the cascading lighting in action in this video here.
Get in touch to chat about using zencontrol in your next project.
Images owned by Sydney Parklands
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