Eastern suburbs council darkens the night sky to reduce light pollution

28/02/2021

Eastern suburbs council darkens the night sky to reduce light pollution

National City life

Eastern suburbs council darkens the night sky to reduce light pollution

By Andrew Taylor February 28, 2021 — 12.00am

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Lights in Sydney’s eastern suburbs could be dimmed or turned off as Waverley Council seeks to create dark spaces that protect nocturnal animals from light pollution and enhance views of the night sky.

The council passed a resolution this month to cut light pollution and examine whether to establish a Dark Sky Reserve in parks and along the coast.

Light pollution of Sydney as seen from Hawkesbury Lookout at Hawkesbury Heights. WOLTER PEETERS

This follows a proposal by Northern Beaches Council to create an Urban Night Sky Place at Palm Beach Headland.

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28/02/2021

Eastern suburbs council darkens the night sky to reduce light pollution

Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said the council would “carefully consider” the impact of lighting at night on the environment and residents despite “the challenge we face in such a high-density location”.

“We completely support the need to create dark spaces that support our nocturnal fauna as well as for viewing the night skies,” she said.

Cr Masselos said Dark Skies was “a growing global movement” that aimed to prevent or limit artificial skyglow - light pollution - in the night sky caused by artificial light.

Light pollution could be reduced without affecting public safety, said Henrique Sala Benites, a PhD candidate in sustainable urban planning at the University of NSW. JAMES BRICKWOOD

Good lighting design, which includes measures such as eliminating upward “spill light” and directing lights downwards, using warmer colours and switching off lights when not required, could reduce light pollution, she said.

Henrique Sala Benites, a PhD candidate in sustainable urban planning at the University of NSW, said light pollution could be reduced without affecting public safety.

“While there could be a general lighting in some areas with lower levels to maintain safety - main pathways for example; in others that do not require light all the time, movement sensors could be an interesting solution,” he said.

Light pollution compromised the health of wildlife by disrupting their behaviour, Mr Sala Benites said. “In beaches where there is turtle hatching, it may turn baby turtles away from the sea into the city. It also affects migration and hunting of birds. It also has an impact on insects that are attracted by it.”

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28/02/2021

Eastern suburbs council darkens the night sky to reduce light pollution

Waverley Council will take action to cut light pollution to protect nocturnal animals and enhance views of the night sky. JAMES BRICKWOOD

Mr Sala Benites said artificial light disrupted the biological cycle of humans “and as a consequence, change the production of melatonin which is beneficial to our health. It can also cause sleep disorders”.

Richard McDermid, deputy director of the Research Centre for Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Astrophotonics at Macquarie University, said the majority of Australians could not see the Milky Way because light pollution outshone the stars.

“This is not a superficial or aesthetic problem, and in fact strongly diminishes the quality of our environment and our rich connections to it,” he said.

“Our way of thinking tends to be more expansive and outward-looking when we spend time with an unimpeded view of the night sky.”

Light pollution also represented a waste of energy “contributing to our carbon footprint”, he said.

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28/02/2021

Eastern suburbs council darkens the night sky to reduce light pollution

Associate Professor McDermid said more lighting did not always lead to safer streets.

“In fact, poor use of strong lighting can actually reduce safety - for example due to excessive glare, or high levels of light/dark contrast,” he said.

“We should also remember that lighting is just one aspect of making urban areas safe for nighttime usage, and arguably not even the most important one.”

Greens councillor George Copeland said excessive illumination disrupted nocturnal animals and reduced the visibility of stars.

“Frogs and toads, migratory birds and night hunting birds and insects could be the victims,” he said. “Seeing clear and bright stars in a clean sky is good for the soul and shows us what could be.”

Greens councillor George Copeland said Dark Sky principles - such as better lighting design - could be applied in areas such as the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk. He said the council had not added lighting as part of its upgrade of the Bronte Cutting footpath.

“Much as it would be desirable to declare a Dark Sky Reserve in Waverley, it would not be possible because of high population density and size,” he said. “However, we can follow the guidelines as much as possible.”

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Andrew Taylor Andrew Taylor is a Senior Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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