The Sunshine Coast hinterland is a step closer to protecting its night skies, with Sunshine Coast Council advancing plans to secure international recognition as a Dark Sky Reserve.
At the March Ordinary Meeting, Council endorsed an application under the International Dark Sky Places Program and adopted a Lighting Management Plan to guide the proposed reserve.
The application will now be submitted to DarkSky International for assessment, marking a significant milestone in a project years in the making.
If successful, the reserve would span almost 900 square kilometres across the Mary River Catchment and surrounding national parks, with the Blackall Range providing natural protection from light pollution.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the region’s night skies were a valuable natural asset worth preserving. “Our dark skies are precious, and they’re part of what makes our Sunshine Coast Biosphere so special,” she said. “This designation is about recognising the value of our hinterland landscapes, supporting wildlife and ecosystems that rely on darkness, and protecting a sense of wonder that is increasingly rare in Australia and around the world.”
Council said the application included recorded evidence of excellent night sky quality, supported by years of monitoring and community consultation.
Beyond environmental benefits, Mayor Rosanna said a Dark Sky Reserve would contribute to health and wellbeing and open new opportunities for nature-based tourism across the hinterland.
“The biggest threat to the pristine dark skies … is to take them for granted”
Local astronomer, Ken Wishaw
Local astronomer Ken Wishaw, a long-time advocate for the project, said protecting the region’s skies was vital. “The biggest threat to the pristine dark skies of the Obi Obi Valley is to take them for granted, as I learnt 10 years ago from a Florida tour group who had never seen stars before,” Dr Ken Wishaw said. “The Sunshine Coast Council have enthusiastically supported the concept since the moment I proposed it.
“This is a unique place of preservation, inspiration and education.”
Mayor Rosanna credited Ken’s advocacy, along with early support from former councillor Jenny McKay, as key to progressing the initiative since it was first raised in 2018. “This application has been built on years of technical work, monitoring and community consultation, during which our community has told us clearly that dark skies matter,” she said.
If approved, the designation would guide future lighting decisions across the reserve, encouraging practices that minimise light pollution while allowing the region to grow sustainably. “It’s about using the right light, in the right place, at the right time, so we can protect our night environment while our region continues to thrive,” Mayor Rosanna said.
The proposed reserve would complement the region’s UNESCO Biosphere status and position the Sunshine Coast among a small group of Australian locations recognised for protecting natural night skies.
Residents are also encouraged to play their part by using targeted, low-level and warm-coloured outdoor lighting, helping ensure the region’s starry skies remain visible for generations to come.
