Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present a petition with 12,144 signatures organised by the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance. The petition is calling for legislation to limit light pollution, specifically artificial light at night. Light pollution has a number of negative consequences, which include ecological impacts on plants and animals, harming biodiversity; human health, especially sleep disruption; energy waste; and a reduction in the visibility of stars and planets, impacting astronomy. At present, there is a lack of comprehensive legislation to address light pollution and its impacts. I note that addressing light pollution does not mean forgoing useful lighting but rather going about it in a smarter way, which might include targeted lighting, choosing an appropriate intensity of lighting or eliminating unnecessary lighting.

I'm advised that the petition has been considered by the Standing Committee on Petitions and found to be in order. This petition is timely as the International Union for Conservation of Nature's World Conservation Congress recently carried a motion on this very matter. I commend the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance for their efforts in raising a matter which I suspect many people are not aware of, and I draw the matter to the attention of the minister and to the attention of the House.

The petition read as follows

Light pollution caused by excessive Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) has harmful effects on human health, is harmful and disruptive to vulnerable species of flora and fauna, and has negative impacts on the economy, including placing unnecessary loads on electrical infrastructure, which leads to increases in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Reducing ALAN not only helps to reduce the harmful effects listed above, but can also lead to benefits, such as making streets safer by reducing glare and light trespass, and increasing Astrotourism.

We therefore ask the House to interduce legislation to limit light pollution and ALAN, including public and private exterior illumination, ensuring that lighting is only used when and where is it necessary, and is limited to levels which are safe and fit for purpose. Countries such as France, Germany and Croatia have already successfully introduced such legislation which limits light pollution and ALAN.

from 12,144 citizens

Petition received.

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