UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  ------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 21, 2004

                              Acuity Brands, Inc.
                              -------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

                                   001-16583
                                   ---------
                            (Commission File Number)

                                   58-2632672
                                   ----------
                      (IRS Employer Identification Number)

            1170 Peachtree St., N.E., Suite 2400, Atlanta, GA 30309
            -------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (404) 853-1400
                                 --------------
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code

                                      N/A
                                      ---
         (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



Item 5.  Other Events and Required FD Disclosure.

         On January 21, 2004, Acuity Brands, Inc. (the "Registrant") issued a
press release with respect to its management succession plan. A copy of this
press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference
into this Item 5 as if fully set forth herein.


Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

         (a)      Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

                  None.

         (b)      Pro Forma Financial Information.

                  None.

         (c)      Exhibits.

                  The following exhibit is filed herewith:

 EXHIBIT NO.                                  DESCRIPTION
 -----------                                  -----------
   99.1             Press release, issued by the Registrant on January 21, 2004.


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                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  January 21, 2004

                                  ACUITY BRANDS, INC.




                                  By:  /s/ Kenyon W. Murphy
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Kenyon W. Murphy
                                       Senior Vice President and General Counsel


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