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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 5 Hansard (25 August) . . Page.. 1258 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

It is clear that the committee's report benefited from the submissions from individuals and organisations for whom the preservation of the night sky quality is a major issue because of an interest in astronomy or for other reasons. In responding to the recommendations of the committee, however, the Government has needed to face the following questions: What is the right balance between enhancing public safety through lighting and preserving dark skies? Is there a conflict? Given other calls on government expenditure and other community priorities, what additional funding should be made available for outdoor lighting improvement? It is clear that certain of the committee's recommendations would have considerable financial implications. Most complaints received by the Government relate to what is perceived to be a lack of adequate lighting, not night sky quality. In addition, the report calls for lighting standards that are considerably more rigorous than those of most other Australian towns and cities. The Government response has been prepared with these considerations in mind.

Further work will be required before the Government is prepared to agree to all these recommendations, particularly those that are signalled as long term. However, the committee has raised key strategic issues that must be addressed. It is important that we move to improve lighting quality. It is good to see that progress is already being made. We are seeing the results of careful lighting and planning and technical process in building projects such as the Magistrates Court. It is heartening that the private sector is also paying increasing attention to the quality lighting and construction activities, a fine example of which is the Lanyon Marketplace. Another demonstration of the importance we attach to better lighting has been the recently released Civic lighting and pedestrian signage strategy.

One particularly valuable feature of the report is the attention provided to certain technical issues that ought to be resolved. One is the whole-of-life costing of mercury vapour streetlights, in other words white streetlights, as opposed to yellow sodium lights. Another is a determination of the real cost of the greater use of cut-off streetlighting, lighting that casts all its output downward and so reduces glare. It is clear that engineers and lighting professionals have a diversity of opinions on lighting matters. As well, lighting technology is changing quite rapidly, and what might have been the case a decade ago is not necessarily the case today. Mr Speaker, the Government agrees that it is desirable that we come to a landing on these technical issues. We also believe that it is important to assess the energy savings and therefore the greenhouse gas reductions that can be achieved from lighting solutions.

The report also makes valuable comment about the concerns expressed by some residents about the effect of night lighting at ACT sportsgrounds. I would make two points in this regard. Night-time sports are a growing trend in Canberra, as elsewhere. It is fair to argue that there must be a spirit of compromise between the needs of sports goers and the needs of nearby residents. Bearing this in mind, the Government will continue to see that all reasonable steps are taken to reduce glare and light spill when lights are installed or refurbished at ACT government sportsgrounds.

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