Palm Beach Night Sky Park: Northern Beaches Council push for better view the stars

The council is keen to see the creation of a light pollution-free sanctuary on the northern beaches to help stargazers get a better peek at the heavens.

A man sitting at West Head lookout looking up to the Milky Way with the Barrenjoey Headland in the background. Palm Beach could become part of an Urban Night Sky Park — the first of its kind in Australia. Picture Greg Barber

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Northern Beaches Council has joined a push to create a “light-free sanctuary” on the peninsula to help stargazers get a better look at the universe.

But it is asking residents if they are happy to have an Urban Night Sky Park — and the possibility of the changed, or reduced, street lighting that goes with it.

The Milky Way with the Barrenjoey Lighthouse in the foreground. Picture Greg Barber

Urban Night Sky Parks are chosen for their exceptionally dark skies, despite their proximity to major cities.

Experts have told the council that Palm Beach is a great spot to view space because of the lack of neon signs that can be found on restaurants, bars and hotels elsewhere in Sydney.

There is also an absence of light pollution because the area is sandwiched between Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the ocean.

The Milky Way. Picture Greg Barber

In September last year the Manly Daily reported that astronomy researchers and students at Macquarie University had been visiting Palm Beach to gather data.

Led by astronomy lecturer Richard McDermid, the research team handed over the information to the council to assist its application for the first accredited light-free sanctuary in the southern hemisphere.

Dr McDermid said at the time that establishing a designated pocket of darkness at Palm Beach would also protect its residents and wildlife, including a colony of micro bats, from the effects of light pollution.

“The tip of Palm Beach, up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, is quite dark”

Dr McDermid said the establishment of the sanctuary would also educate people about light pollution.

Dr Richard McDermid, astronomy researcher at Macquarie University. Picture: Macquarie University

He said even the uplights that illuminate residential gardens help contribute to increased amounts of artificial light in the night sky.

“Aside from the obvious impacts on our astronomical research, light pollution also has some really concerning impacts on human health and our environment. Research has shown that it is interrupting animal breeding cycles, especially in nocturnal species, and we’re only just starting to understand the impacts of artificial light on the human brain.”

The council will have to apply to the International Dark-Sky Association to have the sanctuary — where more than a thousand stars and five Solar System planets would be on view — officially accepted.

It said if the application was successful, it would raise awareness of the benefits of good outdoor lighting design that ensures public safety while protecting the natural night time environment.

A lack of light pollution helps stargazers. Picture Greg Barber

“We think we can achieve community and environmental benefits while continuing to safely light our roads and paths, and maintaining the current use of the area,” the council said on its website.

The Council as been working closely with a Project Working Group that includes representatives from the local business, National Parks, and the Palm Beach-Whale Beach Residents Association as well as astronomical experts.

Public comments close on December 6.