forget it guys, we have lost the war - I have recently seen the vanguard of the barbarians at the gate/LP stormtroopers greatest weapon ever. recently in parks around adelaide I have noticed a new phenonemon sprouting magically and brightly out of the turf - the instant Solar Powered Streetlight - these double edged swords of demacles that came crashing down hit me where it hurts, and how
while on the face of it, we should all logically be rejoicing for the hope for the planet, and most people would naturally think this, reducing greenhouses fossil fuel use ect.
but what it also means is that they can now feasibly put lighting any damn place they want now - on top of Uluru, you name it! - coz the extremely cost prohibitive problem of either laying underground cable ( specially for vegetation/roots sensitive areas, like in parks) and utilities fee's installation ect. has been removed.
these units appear (from browsing the net and online council notes) to cost somewhere between 5K and 10 AU, I am sure bulk is cheaper of course.
Councils everywhere seem to be very excited abut them and are going at hammer and tong, from all appearances, EDIT: so in effect there will be more lights than ever, oh the irony! and believe me they are VERY VERY bright and gutsy, i did begrudgingly admit they at least directed the lights downward properly, i was surprised.
Its funny Brendan, my very first post here was also a rant about LP, as a result of the last 10 years booming economy/housing boom, spin off downside in the destruction of much of the last vestiges of real dark sky that was within easy reach locally.
I wish you luck! in that pic looks like the twin towers memorial laser display!! you could always just pretend they are aurora, like I have to do!
I reckon most non-astromers hate the dark, and are greatly turned on by displays of luminance and pretty lights, as symbols of our domination over nature, and urban vanity/civic pride - winess the xmas carry on with houses!