Around 40 percent of the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area would be subject to a new light management plan under a proposal to create a Dark Sky Reserve in the region.
Sunshine Coast Council has released, for consultation, a Draft Lighting Management Plan for an area close to 900 square kilometres.
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said specifications in the Plan, once finalised, would be mandatory for all Council-managed lighting.
Cr Burns said the plan encouraged other key stakeholders who managed lighting in the area, including Energex and state bodies to apply responsible lighting principles.
He said it provided direction for good practice outdoor lighting principles for new developments within the proposed reserve area.
“The plan also includes guidelines for residents or groups keen to voluntarily update their existing lighting, joining community efforts to protect our dark skies.”
Division 4 Councillor Winston Johnston said protecting dark skies was important for community health and wellbeing, wildlife that moved and fed at night, helping to reduce carbon emissions and supporting local business.
He said in initial community feedback on the proposal, more than 95 per cent of 1200 survey respondents supported protecting dark skies for future generations.
“Sunshine Coast Council is proposing to establish a Dark Sky Reserve in the hinterland, encompassing almost 900 square kilometres in the Mary River Catchment and adjoining national parks in our local government area.
“This would provide ways to reduce light pollution and contribute to an increased number of stars visible at night.”
Cr Johnston said Dark Sky Reserves were designated by Dark Sky International under the International Dark Sky Places Program.
He said the International Dark Sky Places Program certified places around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
“A Dark Sky Reserve is designated as a place where excellent night sky quality is protected and maintained, in partnership with the community.”
Cr Johnston said since announcing the proposal, Council has continued measuring night sky quality in the proposed reserve area, speaking with key stakeholders, taking lighting inventories and working upgrade existing public lighting.
“We’re now taking the next step, with the Draft Lighting Management Plan setting down how we’ll maintain and protect dark skies in the hinterland by managing outdoor lighting.”
Public comment is open until July 11.
