Peter most of the information you need is in the Australian Standard AS 4282 "Control of the obtrusive effects of Outdoor lighting."
Let me know how you go with your council. Mine said sure they were happy to put up a shade if:
1. I got everyone else in the street to sign saying they didn't mind the light being covered
2. I was prepared to wear the full cost of having the shade installed.
Which I promptly laughed at, then quoted the Aust Standard. The response? "I'm sorry the person you need to speak to is not in the office at the moment. Could you ring back at a later time?"
And so the battle begins.
