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Originally Posted by Night Owl
Hey mate, could you put up the documentation of your lights out submission to your local council? It would give others a head start on putting forward their own lights out submission.
I might have to talk to the owner of the local super roadhouse that opened up. Man, talk about pumping light in to the sky.
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I don't have a copy of the submission. The council has it. But it isn't just the written submission needed. You have to be prepared to attend the council meeting and in very brief terms, explain your case.
As far as your local super roadhouse, he won't turn lights off, down or anything until it becomes council regulation
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Originally Posted by mlcolbert
Unfortunately, I think I know the immediate response from councils in the city;
we have security concerns, the number of crimes in the area require us to maintain adequate street lighting for the safety of pedestrians walking home late at night, to provide extra light for motorists to avoid accidents and also for the security of our traders so that there is not an increase in thefts in 'high street' stores, as well as reducing the fears of the community for break ins at the homes of families and the elderly.
Councils would probably also cite statistical 'evidence' provided by the state police to support their stance.
How to get around that? Reduce the stressors of living in large populated areas? Now, that's a challenge!
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Originally Posted by Jarrod
that's exactly how Geelong's council would respond, they're adding more lights all the time. not just street lights, most are lights in places to illuminate "dark corners", in addition to streetlights. lately people seem to think the bus stops and taxi areas arn't bright enough, so council puts up more lights. i think before bus stops it was clock towers and billboards that were not bright enough for people to enjoy.
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Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me!
Cities around the world have achieved success! Many cities. Some are Huge Cities. Rome for example.
Their are websites devoted to light pollution reduction from cities all over the globe (if I can find them again I'll post the links).
They were used as examples in my own submission.
Also, in your submission, don't say it is just for Astronomy. It is for:
1. Energy saving - Full cut-off lights actually use less power
2. Environment - animal sleeping patterns are disturbed.
3. Health - There is now proof that excess light causes Breast Cancer and ill-health in all people
4. Road Safety - Full cut-off lights reduce glare on wet nights by around 90%
5. Restoration of the night sky
In that order they grab councils attention
What have you got to lose by placing a well written submission?
Nothing.
What can be gained? Darker skies.
If you never place a submission, nothing happens and everyone keeps wingeing but doing nothing about it.
Just think, a submission in a big city may work
It did overseas.