A new strategy is aimed at minimising ''sky glow'' in the Queenstown Lakes district and bring consistency and modernity to lighting infrastructure.
In a report for tomorrow's council infrastructure committee, council policy planner Polly Lambert said district and annual plan submissions had shown urban and rural communities wanted lighting that ''protected the night-time sky and rural character of the district''.
The updated Southern Light strategy identified areas with the potential to become international dark sky reserves - ''public or private land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment''.
It would enable communities to indicate their interest in getting accreditation for their area through annual plan submissions or requests to the council.
The strategy document says it aims to protect the night sky by minimising sky glow, defining the colour appearance of light, controlling levels of brightness and glare, controlling ''obtrusive and nuisance light spill'' and defining consistent light fittings and materials.
It applies to road lighting, amenity lighting - public areas, outdoor car parks, parks and sports fields - and building exteriors and illuminated signs.
The document also says a lack of clear and up-to-date technical specifications has led to a ''disjointed'' approach to street and amenity lighting in the district.
''There is currently a large variety of outdated lighting infrastructure, which has led to high and complicated ongoing maintenance costs.''
Ms Lambert said in her report the existing strategy was 10 years old, there had since been major advances in technology and industry best practice, and property developers found it ''difficult to decipher''.
The update brought council standards in line with industry best practice and national standards, encouraged consistency in new property development, and enabled the use of modern and efficient materials, such as LED lighting, which would reduce ongoing maintenance and energy costs.
She recommended it be adopted, but with another review in two years' time that would allow the changes to bed in and give interested parties a chance to provide more feedback.
