The South Wairarapa District Council is proposing a plan change to the Wairarapa Combined District Plan to manage light pollution better.

The Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve – Outdoor Artificial Lighting Plan Change

The South Wairarapa District Council is proposing a plan change to the Wairarapa Combined District Plan. The plan change would add some rules to the Wairarapa Combined District Plan so it manages light pollution better.

The Wairarapa Dark Sky Society are applying to the International Dark Sky Association for part of Wairarapa to be certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve. South Wairarapa, Carterton, and Masterton District Councils support this application for the variety of economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits the certification would bring to the districts. This plan change will help the dark sky certification application go more smoothly. New rules would need to be in place before the Martinborough Dark Sky Society can submit their dark sky reserve application in February 2021.

Here are the main changes to the District Plan

• New outdoor lighting to be tilted down or shielded so light goes out and down – not out and up.
• Ensure the ‘colour temperature’ of new lighting is 3000 Kelvin and under.
• An exemption to the above rules if outdoor lighting is on a five-minute (or less) sensor/timer.
• Sport and recreation lighting to address light pollution, and to make it easier (eg. fewer resource consents) for sports recreation facilities to install outdoor lighting.
• Read more on the South Wairarapa District Council Website