The proposal would include an amendment to town planning regulations making any new outdoor lights comply with International Dark Sky (IDS) requirements of 3000 kelvins.
Stewart Island councillor Bruce Ford said the proposed changes would help safeguard the island, should sanctuary status be achieved.
''Council needs to have it in their town planning proposal so we don't have somebody come to town and put up some extraordinary lights.''
The council had already changed all of the island's 41 street lights to meet the IDS requirements he said.
''We are getting very good light out of them. In fact we think we've got better light because it's not a white light, it's a warm colour.''
Venture Southland's business and strategic projects group manager Steve Canny said the application had been well received.
''The proposal received 93% acceptance by the island community, which is outstanding. All of the communications and so on throughout the process have been very positive from a local perspective.''
The International Dark Sky Association defines a sanctuary as ''public or private land that has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage and/or public enjoyment.''
The island submitted its application last month and if successful would become only the fifth location in the world and the second island to receive IDS sanctuary status.
New Zealand is home to the only other island sanctuary, Great Barrier Island.
The other three sanctuaries are located in the United States and Chile.
The Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve is one of eight such reserves in the world.
Stewart Island resident and local business owner Chris Sara said sanctuary status would
highlight the island ''to another group of people'' and be a tourism drawcard in the winter months.
A decision on the application is expected in December.
