Ross, Tasmania, is vying to become the first place in the state—and the third in Australia—to receive 'Dark Sky' accreditation from Dark Sky International.
The town of approximately 400 people in Tasmania's midlands has measured its night sky at 21 on a sky quality meter, out of a possible 22 (absolute black). The project is driven by volunteer Nigel Davies, chair of the Ross Local District Committee, who reported 99% community support and letters of endorsement from all local businesses.
The next hurdle involves making the town's 54 street lamps compliant with Dark Sky International standards: lights must be shielded to emit light only downwards and have a warm yellow color temperature. In March, the Northern Midlands Council agreed to the conditions and legislated a lighting management plan.
“The change would also generate savings in power and maintenance costs and likely boost tourism.”
Davies has proposed a pilot scheme with TasNetworks, the energy distributor, to replace all lights with dark-sky-friendly smart lights. These would dim from 10 PM to midnight and shut off completely from midnight to dawn.
Resident Marcus Rodrigues moved from Sydney to Ross 11 years ago to pursue astrophotography. He said the midlands skies are the best he has encountered in Australia. Resident Scott Bennett, a visual artist who moved to Ross 15 years ago for an artist residency and stayed, also captures the night sky and Aurora.
The effort is not the first in Tasmania. Landon Bannister, president of Dark Sky Tasmania, has advocated for protecting dark skies in Tasmania's south-west wilderness area, but lack of funding has delayed that accreditation.
Key details:
- Ross residents seek Dark Sky accreditation, which would make Ross the first such site in Tasmania.
- The town's sky measures 21 on a scale where 22 is absolute darkness.
- 99% of the community and all businesses support the project.
- All 54 street lamps must be replaced with shielded, warm-light fixtures within five years of accreditation.
- A pilot proposal involves dimming and switching off lights overnight via smart technology.
- Proponents expect the accreditation to increase overnight tourism.