REQUESTS to preserve Maleny’s status as the last area of coastal south east Queensland not severely affected by light pollution has been referred to the Transport and Main Roads Minister.
The request comes after months of lobbying and a petition tabled in state parliament urgently requesting the replacement of streetlights in and around Maleny, with experts fearing poor policy and population growth could soon black out stars from the night sky.
Responding to the petition, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said streetlights in the region are owned and maintained by Energy Queensland Limited on behalf of both the local council and Department of Transport and Main Roads.
“A request to replace streetlights would, in the first instance, need to be considered by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.”
Maleny is the last area of coastal south east Queensland that is not severely affected by light pollution, with the local Observatory subject to special consideration with regards to nearby lighting.
The petition, signed by over 1040 people, requested parliament replace all streetlights with lighting that complied with Australian Government National Lighting Pollution Guidelines.
“Maleny and surrounding districts enjoy diverse wildlife, much of which is adversely affected by excessive artificial lighting at night,” the petition stated.
“The major contributor to light pollution is street lights, particularly those that shine light above the horizontal (unshielded) and have a high blue content in their light.”
In response Mr de Brenni wrote: “My office has drawn the petitioner’s proposal to the attention of the office of my colleague, the Honourable Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and I have also asked the Department of Energy and Public Works to raise the matter with both organisations”.
“Upon receipt of advice, I will provide a further response to you within three months as provided for under Standing Orders. I trust that this preliminary information is of assistance and I thank the petitioners for their interest in this important issue.”
Member for Glass House Andrew Powell MP, who was the sponsoring member of the petition submitted to Queensland Parliament, shared that while it feels the response may not sound position, he feels it actually is.
“Street lighting is challenging – as the Minister explains, Energy Queensland own and manage the lights on behalf of both the Main Roads Department and Council,” said Mr Powell.
“Efforts have been made in the past to try and get the various organisations talking about this.
“This is the first time Energy Queensland have put their hand up and said, ‘we’ll coordinate further investigation’.”
Mr Powell said that while he’d love that to happen faster, the fact that it’s happening at all is excellent.
“I hope, as the organisations collectively consider this, they see what we all see – that making the switch to ‘dark sky’ friendly lights is a win-win-win-win!
“A win for our astronomists. A win economically. A win for human health. A win for our wildlife.”
