A survey is being planned by the newly-formed Lake Ohau Alpine Village Ratepayers and Residents' Association after some residents felt street lighting was too intense, particularly with moves to have the Mackenzie Basin night sky declared a World Heritage reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
The association has written to the Waitaki District Council, with the letter referred to the Ahuriri Community Board, offering to gauge residents' views on street and private lighting in the town.
The association said some residents were unhappy that the number and intensity of streets lights resulted in unnecessary light pollution.
Other ratepayers believed a reduction in lighting or intensity would cause safety and security issues.
The survey will ask residents for their views.
If they want less lighting, it asks whether lower wattage bulbs should be trialled, the existing lights replaced with specialised shielded lights to reduce upward light pollution, whether house lights should be shielded or if they have other suggestions.
They will also be asked if, as a rural village, Ohau needs any street lights, or whether it needs more.
In contrast, the board will also consider whether to finance four extra lights for Kurow after an assessment by the council.
The new lights are proposed for the north end of Gordon St, corner of Fitzroy and Gordon Sts, corner of Ferguson and Gordon Sts and Ferguson St, opposite Freyberg Ave.
The cost is estimated at $6000, with the Kurow amenity fund paying $2000 and the rest a subsidy.
