Update on streetlighting in our town

[ballaratdragons]

Yesterday I was talking to our ex-Mayor (she helped with the submission about light reduction in our town when she was Mayor).

The current news is that next month, council is having a meeting about our Snake Valley Streetlight Plan :cool:

Apparently, the quotes are in to replace the 16 streetlights (that's about all we have) with full cut-off lights :thumbsup:

Thank you to all the folks that sent their emails of support through to help with this submission (you all know who you are) and to Ian (gaa-ian) for the information he sent through.

Once the lights are changed, we will be registering with the 'Dark Sky Town' register :thumbsup:

Our little dark town of Snake Valley is going to get darker :thumbsup:

It has taken about a year, but we are nearly there :) :) :)

[iceman]

Fantastic news! Well done, power to the people.

[OneOfOne]

That is fantastic news. If other councils could just follow suit, especially if it could be shown that less energy is required to light a particular area they may eventually come to the party.

[Starkler]

Fantastic news Ken :thumbsup:

I recall you saying you had a mayor who was interested in astronomy and was sympathetic with the concerns of light pollution. That can certainly help!

Sadly though, most councils will brush off anyone mentioning light pollution as some kind of fringe loony.

Congratulations on the win :)

[acropolite]

That's great news Ken, now if you can just get them turned off after midnight to save energy (and make the sky even darker.)

[erick]

Snake Valley would appear to have an advantage - "security" isn't a significant issue, thankfully. I know that is one argument for lighting in larger centres.

[rogerg]

That's excellent news, congrats :thumbsup:

[fringe_dweller]

you're a credit to AA's dude :thumbsup: :thumbsup: you really walk the talk Ken :prey2:

[ving]

top stuff ken! :)

[ballaratdragons]

Councils tend to do what other council do. Especially if it makes them look good in publicity.

We will be getting our town mentioned on the news. Hopefully it may pressure other councils to follow.

But the trick is, never say 'Light Pollution' or say it is for Astronomy.

It is for the environment and energy saving! And call it Obtrusive lighting.

[Glenhuon]

Good onyer Snake Valley! Its good to hear of a success with reducing unneccessary lights.

Not much chance of that happening in Coota though, as I'm beginning to think I'm the only astronomer in town :sadeyes: and it wouldn't be a priority for our council, unless someone was going to make a quid out of it. (Sorry, my cynisism re politicians is showing again)

Bill

[OneOfOne]

My thoughts exactly. If you mention "light pollution" most people will think you are just doing it for yourself as they don't even know that light pollution exists. If the main argument is to save energy, and it can be backed up with figures, you would be more likely to succeed! Or if the lighting produces less glare, making it safer for driving you are also on a winner. Darker skies is just a side effect...

[ballaratdragons]

If you have any Greenies in town, they'll will help you.

Get them to help you with a submission. They can use the environment side of the story, how Obtrusive lighting affects wildlife. Get energy conscious people to hit the 'Energy' side (Full cut-off lights use less power!).
And use the Astronomy side also (but not as the 'Main' benefit). "While saving energy and restoring the Eco-system, we will also regain the night sky in all its beauty".

Push the road safety angle (our council liked that one!). Full cut-off lights reduce streetlight glare for drivers, especially on rainy nights.

Use samples like these to show them: :thumbsup:
1. Close lights are Normal, far lights are 'Full Cut-off',
2. No Glare from 'Full Cut-off' compared to Glare from Normal.

[leon]

Hey Ken, that is good news, can i move my observatory to Snake Vally. :whistle:

Leon :thumbsup: :lol:

[ballaratdragons]

British Paints, Leon :thumbsup:

Actually, there is some bargain Real Estate going out here at the moment.

I'm looking forward to building mine up the back paddock. It's already damn dark up there, but this will be incredible!!!!