Sunshine Council shines a light on dark skies reserve proposal for hinterland

Sunshine Coast Council is moving forward with plans for a dark skies reserve in the hinterland with a draft light management plan.

A dark sky reserve is a designated location whose clear night sky views are protected, including ‘light pollution’ management.

Sunshine Coast Council is keen to establish a Dark Sky Reserve of almost 900 square kilometres in and around the Mary River Catchment.

Councillor Winston Johnston (division 4) says protecting the night sky is important for community health, nocturnal wildlife, reducing carbon emissions – and supporting local business.

“Since we announced the proposal, an initial consultation phase in 2024 demonstrated how strongly our community values dark skies and supports their protection,” he explains.

“We’ve also continued measuring night sky quality in the proposed reserve area, speaking with key stakeholders, taking lighting inventories and working to upgrade existing public lighting.”

He says the next step is a Draft Lighting Management Plan that spells out how outdoor lighting will be managed.

“This plan shows how council, as well as others …, can make a real difference in protecting our hinterland’s dark skies,” he says.

In its initial community survey, council says, more than 95% of 1200 respondents supported protecting dark skies.

THE PROPOSAL

• • The proposed Dark Sky Reserve would cover close to 900 square kilometres in the Mary River Catchment and connected state protected areas, or about 40% of the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area.

  • The reserve area will include hinterland towns such as Maleny, Mapleton, Montville, Witta, Flaxton and Conondale.

Councillor Tim Burns says the lighting plan, if adopted, would be mandatory for all council-managed lights.

“This means that when council upgrades lighting in the proposed reserve area, it will help retain the dark night skies our community loves,” he says.

“We still need to light public spaces to help our community feel safe but by following some key principles and choosing the correct type of lights, we can minimise light pollution impacting on our night sky.”

The plan would direct good practice outdoor lighting principles for new developments within the proposed reserve area and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme.

The plan also includes guidelines for residents or groups wanting to update their existing lighting.

“This plan shows how everyone can be part of the solution against light pollution,” Cr Burns said.

“For this Dark Sky Reserve designation to be successful, we need the community on board by considering dark sky values and making smart lighting choices, where and when they can,” he says.

“It can be as simple as making sure your outdoor lighting is useful, directed downwards, no brighter than necessary, controlled with motion sensors or timers and warm-coloured.”

If supported, the plan and other documentation will be part of an application to Dark Sky International to establish a Dark Sky Reserve.