Community engagement summary
To help recognise, protect and celebrate our dark skies, Sunshine Coast Council has been investigating potential opportunities to assist in reducing light pollution. As part of these investigations, establishing a Dark Sky Reserve in the Sunshine Coast hinterland under the International Dark Sky Places Program was identified as an appropriate mechanism.
In November 2023, Council commenced a phased community engagement process with formal community consultation between 20 May to 16 June 2024, seeking feedback on the proposal to inform ongoing considerations. The May/June 2024 consultation program invited our communities inside and outside the proposed reserve area to have their say and participate in a range of conversations, surveys and events.
Community feedback was received through:
- online surveys
- community conversations at drop-in sessions and local events
- community information sessions and presentations
- individual submissions.
Promotion highlights
Participation highlights
What the community told us
The majority of feedback received through the engagement process, including 95% of survey respondents, expressed support for the protection of our night sky for future generations. The community see a Dark Sky Reserve designation through the International Dark Sky Places Program as a great initiative and positive approach towards protecting our night skies.
The community recognises our night sky as an important natural asset of the region and the role it plays in people’s connection to place.
Feedback received also acknowledged the many benefits of protecting the night sky including preserving wildlife and ecosystems as well as for human experiences (i.e. health and wellbeing, recreation and astro-tourism).
The proposed location in the Sunshine Coast hinterland (encompassing the Mary River catchment and adjoining State Protected areas within the local government area) was considered as appropriate for most respondents. Feedback also recognised the need to manage light pollution in other areas of the region including our coastal towns.
Getting the balance right is important to the community to ensure our region’s landscape, character and local amenity is retained and the natural areas preserved, while ensuring tourism or any increased visitation within the proposed area does not negatively impact on the values a Dark Sky Reserve designation seeks to protect.
It is important to the community to be involved in our dark sky journey, seeking to be engaged and provide input as we continue to plan for the protection of our dark skies. Further information was welcomed on the process of a Dark Sky Reserve if pursued and what it means for community in the proposed area. There was some concerns from residents nearby to Kirbys Road Environment Reserve (the proposed core area of the Dark Sky Reserve) about the impact the proposed ‘core’ would have in relation to visitation numbers, local traffic, road safety, amenity and general management of the environment reserve. There is a strong willingness and understanding that Council, community and key organisations have a role to play in the future success of a proposed Dark Sky Reserve on the Sunshine Coast.
