Investigating Dark Skies in Waverley

3 March 2021

Waverley Council will be looking at ways we can further incorporate key principles of Dark Skies into our existing Creative Lighting Strategy for our own works and on private land.

Dark Skies is a growing global movement that aims to prevent, reduce and limit artificial skyglow [light pollution] in the night sky caused by artificial light.

At the February Council meeting, Council voted:

That Council:

1. Identifies dark sky principles and strategies to be included in an updated Creative Lighting Strategy for our own works and on private land.

2. Considers joining the International Dark Sky Association and establishing a Dark Sky Reserve along its coastal margins and in its parks.

3. Considers the inclusion of dark skies actions to the upcoming Environmental Action Plan

A key principle of the Dark Skies movement is good lighting design achieved through a range of measures including:

• Eliminate upward spill light
• Direct light downwards, not upwards
• Use shielded fittings
• Avoid ‘over’ lighting
• Switch lights off when not required
• Use energy efficient bulbs
• Use asymmetric beams, where floodlights are used
• Ensure lights are not directed towards reflective surfaces
• Use warm white colours