By Sonia Isaacs
THE Sunshine Coast Hinterland has been officially recognised as Queensland’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, earning global accreditation for its star-filled night skies after years of community advocacy, scientific assessment and planning.
DarkSky International confirmed the designation on June 9, placing the Sunshine Coast alongside some of the world’s most celebrated stargazing destinations, including New Zealand’s Aoraki Mackenzie and Canada’s Mont-Mégantic reserves.
The status recognises about 870sq kms including Maleny, Montville, Mapleton, Witta, Flaxton, Kenilworth and Conondale, as an area committed to preserving natural darkness through responsible lighting management and community partnership.
Maleny Observatory convener, Dr Ken Wishaw, who has championed the project for more than a decade, described the announcement as a landmark achievement.
“DarkSky International have reviewed our very lengthy application to create a Dark Sky Reserve in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and have proclaimed it, and it is now a reality,” Dr Wishaw said.
The Sunshine Coast International Dark Sky Reserve is now the second-largest accredited Dark Sky place in Australia, behind only the Mid-Murray region east of Adelaide.
Dr Wishaw said the designation would help protect the region’s night skies from increasing light pollution while delivering environmental, health and tourism benefits.
“It actually protects and commits the council and the government to continuing to preserve it from light pollution, which is great for our wildlife, great for our own health, great for the biosphere, and fantastic for the stars,” he said.
He said the reserve represented one of the last remaining areas in coastal South East Queensland where visitors could experience truly dark skies.
“I had an opportunity recently to count the number of stars that we could see in the reserve, and it was close to 3000,” Dr Wishaw said.
“That was in contrast to central Brisbane, where I did the same exercise and got to nine stars.
As part of the process, council developed a comprehensive lighting management plan and worked with Energex, Queensland Government agencies and other organisations responsible for public lighting throughout the reserve area.
The international recognition is also expected to strengthen the Sunshine Coast’s appeal as an astro-tourism destination.
Dark Sky places are promoted through DarkSky International’s global network and website, which is widely used by travellers seeking world-class stargazing locations.
“We’re within 100 kilometres of two international airports, and so the accessibility and the tourism potential here is quite significant,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the designation reflected the region’s commitment to protecting one of its most valuable natural assets.
“This Dark Sky Reserve project is both a mechanism to reduce light pollution and our enduring reminder that dark skies are a precious part of what makes our Sunshine Coast Biosphere special.”