2023-06-24
Andrew Braddock MLA will table a motion in the Legislative Assembly calling for better lighting in our neighbourhoods and public spaces.
“Lighting has a big effect on our neighbourhoods and public spaces. When it’s done well, most people won’t think about it. When it’s done badly, people won’t use the space,” said Yerrabi MLA Andrew Braddock, the Greens spokesperson for Better Suburbs.
The motion calls for the ACT Government to implement best practice lighting principles for all public spaces. These principles state that we should have the lighting that is needed for individual areas, no more and no less, avoiding unnecessary glare but preserving safety. This will allow people to move safely and comfortably around our city, reduce impacts on urban wildlife, and boost our nighttime economy.
“Getting the right light in the right place means we not only have beautiful well-lit public spaces and neighbourhoods, but places where people feel safe and want to be. The combination of best practice lighting and the resulting activation in these spaces also makes them more welcoming and comfortable for women and vulnerable people.
”Best practice lighting design is not just about how much light there is, it’s the quality and direction of the light. It might sounds counterintuitive, but brighter doesn’t actually mean safer. Best practice lighting design uses warmer lighting and also shields light down so it isn’t shining into your eyes, or creating light pollution. The added benefit is that when the lights aren’t glaring into your eyes, you are suddenly able to see into the shadows.
”Good design is essential to ensure our public lighting is warm and welcoming to people moving around our city at night time, without the glare or spill over into people’s homes,” said Mr Braddock
Quotes attributable to Marnie Ogg, Australasian Dark Sky Alliance (ADSA)
“Our beautiful starry night sky is something we shouldn’t take for granted. It reflects a pristine environment unimpacted by artificial light at night. To preserve this environment for future generations we need a best-practice and smart lighting strategy. If we don’t start making better lighting choices, we’ll lose the connection to our night sky that is both rare and culturally significant.”
Quotes attributable to Elle Lawless, Conservation Council, ACT Region
“Artificial lights in our city have an impact on our wildlife. We have native insects and animals like bogong moths and microbats living here which evolved with the absence of light at night. We’ve all seen pictures of Parliament House covered in bogong moths because they’ve gotten confused by the bright lights. We need to be making better lighting choices because that is better for both people and wildlife”.
Mr Braddock MLA will table the motion on Tuesday, 27 June and hopes members from all parties will support the calls.
Andrew Braddock, MLA and Marnie Ogg, ADSA are available for comment.
Ends
BACKGROUND
A copy of the motion can be found on the Assembly website prior to debate or by contacting the Braddock office at Braddock@parliament.act.gov.au. Please also contact the Braddock office if you would like examples of good and bad lighting.
Best practice lighting guidance from ADSA
Examples of bright lighting where the glare decreases safety because you can’t see the intruder in the shadows.
Hansard: Question time 29 March. Question about temperature of lighting
Hansard: Question time 7 June. Question about successful trial of dimming lights
Media Contact: Harry Sinclair - 0493 586 398