Light award for city council

Forget street pollution, the Dunedin City Council is now doing its bit to reduce light pollution in the city's skies.

The Dunedin Astronomical Society presented an award to the Dunedin City Council at a public forum last week, recognising the council's choice of installing flat luminaries lantern lights along the Ravensbourne cycle and walk way.

Flat luminaries lights have a 70 watt metal halide bulb and are designed to give an upward light loss ratio of zero.

The reduction of light pollution to the night sky enhances star gazing conditions, and generates energy savings of about a third.

"New designs for city lights can now be focused not just on lighting the areas to be used, but also on reducing the amount of light and energy needed," Gregor Morgan, of the Dunedin Astronomical Society's Dark Sky Group, said.

The award sparked discussions at the forum about introducing new low-cost energy efficient lights to other parts of the city.

Cr Teresa Stevenson asked if there would be a review for this type of lighting and Cr Kate Wilson asked if there were savings to be made from replacing existing light fittings.

Cr Andrew Noone said transportation operations replaced old lights but did not have more detailed data.

- Rachel Taylor