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Christchurch City Council is seeking advice about how it can help turn Banks Peninsula into a dark sky reserve.
Banks Peninsula MP Vanessa Weenink presented the initiative to city councillors, asking the council to introduce a lighting plan across the peninsula.
The proposed regulations would apply only to new developments and would not affect existing lighting.
Weenink first attempted to progress the idea through the Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula Community Board in February, following a suggestion from Mayor Phil Mauger’s office.
However, the board later advised it was unable to assist because the proposal was beyond its scope.
“Anything that involves council or government or any kind of bureaucracy is going to take an inordinate amount of time, much more than you think it will,” Weenink told Bay Harbour News.
The initiative cannot currently progress through a plan change because of ongoing Resource Management Act reforms.
Instead, Weenink asked the council to write to RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop seeking an exemption that would allow a plan change to proceed.
She argued this approach would be more cost-effective and less time-consuming than pursuing a private plan change.
Waimairi Ward city councillor Sam MacDonald asked council staff to provide advice as to how it can assist the initiative.
Once a lighting plan is in place, Weenink and Akaroa Stargazing owner Luca Devescovi will complete the application process for dark sky certification.
The pair have been working on the project for the past 18 months. Measurements taken by Devescovi show Banks Peninsula already enjoys naturally dark skies with minimal light pollution.
Weenink carried out a survey last year which found 85% of 300 respondents supported the proposal.
The proposal also had the backing of both Wairewa and Ōnuku rūnanga, Weenink said.
Dark sky areas limit light pollution, improving visibility of the night sky while supporting conservation, human health, tourism and reduced energy use.
Weenink told councillors a similar plan change in Kaikōura had helped reduce electricity costs through lower lighting levels.
Banks Peninsula Ward councillor Tyrone Fields supported the initiative but asked whether the Government would contribute towards any infrastructure upgrades needed to achieve dark sky reserve status.
Weenink said the tourism benefits associated with the designation would make Banks Peninsula a stronger candidate for regional infrastructure funding.
Linwood Ward councillor Yani Johanson said he had tried to implement a similar initiative in Christchurch in the past, but Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency would not allow lower LED lighting levels to be introduced.
Weenink said she would follow up on Johanson’s comments.