The movement to protect our starry night skies - along with our landscape and character, environment and wellbeing - is taking the next step.
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.
In initial community feedback on the proposal, more than 95 per cent of 1200 survey respondents supported protecting dark skies for future generations.
Now Council has presented the Draft Lighting Management Plan for community feedback between June 16 and July 11.
Division 4 Councillor Winston Johnston said protecting dark skies was important for community health and wellbeing, wildlife that move and feed at night, helping to reduce 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," Cr Johnston said.
"We've also continued measuring night sky quality in the proposed reserve area, speaking with key stakeholders, taking lighting inventories and working in partnership to 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.
"This plan shows how Council, as well as other stakeholders and our community, can make a real difference in protecting our hinterland's dark skies."
If supported by Council and the community, the plan, along with other documentation and community consultation findings, would help form an application to Dark Sky International to establish a Dark Sky Reserve.
What is the Dark Sky Reserve proposal?
Dark Sky Reserves are designated by Dark Sky International under the International Dark Sky Places Program.
The International Dark Sky Places Program certifies 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.
Council is proposing a Dark Sky Reserve encompassing close to 900 square kilometres in the Mary River Catchment and connected state protected areas, covering about 40 per cent of the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area.
The proposed dark sky reserve area includes hinterland townships such as Maleny, Mapleton, Montville, Witta, Flaxton and Conondale.
Who would need to follow the Lighting Management Plan?
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said specifications in the Lighting Management Plan, once finalised, would be mandatory for all Council-managed lighting.
"This means that when Council upgrades lighting in the proposed reserve area, it will meet best-practice standards to help retain the dark night skies our community loves," Cr Burns said.
"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 encourages other key stakeholders who manage lighting in the area, including Energex, state bodies and our community, to apply responsible lighting principles.
The plan provides direction for good practice outdoor lighting principles for new developments within the proposed reserve area, which would inform the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme.
The plan also includes guidelines for residents or groups keen to voluntarily update their existing lighting, joining community efforts to protect our dark skies.
"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.
"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.
"Everyone has the power to contribute to darker skies and a more sustainable region in the reserve area and across our Sunshine Coast Biosphere."
