Light changes proposed as part of Sunshine Coast Dark Sky Reserve bid

Changes to street lighting and future developments are likely as the Sunshine Coast looks to protect its world-class dark skies in a unique tourism bid.

The night sky facing south from Kirby’s Road Environment Reserve, nestled in the core of the proposed dark sky reserve area. Picture: Dr Ken Wishaw and Geoff Simon.

Changes to street lighting and future developments are coming to some Sunshine Coast rural towns to help protect the dark sky and create stargazing tourism opportunities.

Sunshine Coast Council councillors voted unanimously in favour at the November ordinary meeting of the proposal to establish a Dark Sky Reserve.

The proposed reserve area is 873sq km in size and includes parts of Conondale, Kenilworth, Maleny, Mapleton, and Obi Obi.

A move to lodge an application for the dark sky designation has received in-principle support from the International Dark Sky Association.

It has also attracted the backing of Maleny Observatory curator and Australasian Dark Sky Alliance co-founder Dr Ken Wishaw.

Maleny Observatory curator and Australasia Dark Sky Alliance co-founder Dr Ken Wishaw.

“The Sunshine Coast hinterland and the Obi Obi Valley are some of the best places in the world for people to see the Milky Way and the southern stars, but it’s increasingly under threat from light pollution,” Dr Wishaw said.

“There is nowhere else in the world where you can see the Milky Way at night and go to the beach the following day.”

As part of the bid to create stargazing tourism opportunities while reducing lighting pollution, Councillor Winston Johnston said towns in the proposed reserve will likely have changes to street lighting.

“Council has received a grant and we’re using that to reduce a lot of the lighting that filters out in those areas,” he said.

“The added benefit is because it’s LED lighting, then there’s a huge financial saving as well for the council.”

The night sky at the heritage-listed Pattemore House in Maleny. Picture: Dr Ken Wishaw and Dr Paul Baker, Brisbane Astronomical Society.

Mr Johnston added that lighting conditions will also be imposed on new developments in the proposed area.

“Any new developments that occur in those areas will have to have lights which are focused downwards and have sufficient shades on them, so it reduces the light filtering,” he said.

“It actually makes for a much more pleasant place to live.”

Councillor David Law said the next steps for the proposed reserve includes community engagement to gauge their interest in the plan.

“In the coming year we’ll be speaking with our community, including residents in the proposed reserve area, about what this reserve could mean and how communities can get involved in protecting our region from light pollution,” Mr Law said.

“By working together, we can keep our beautiful night skies dark and filled with stars.”

Community engagement on the proposal will take place in the 2023-2024 financial year.