M.P.

Landsborough Rail to light up the town!!!

Queensland Rail are building a 350 space car park at Landsborough, and concerns are mounting as Queensland Rail have flagged already that they will not adopt dark sky lighting consistent with the Australian Government National Light pollution Guidelines, the Sunshine Coast Urban Lighting Master Plan, the Guidelines of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance or the International Dark Sky Association.

The Sunshine Coast hinterland is the LAST area of coastal South East Queensland that is not heavily light polluted and its dark skies are highly valued by its residents and visitors.

Sunshine Cost Council have raised the concern with Queensland Rail but it seems Queensland Rail do not wish to incorporate dark sky policies into their new build even at this early stage.

Every inappropriate light contributes to light pollution that spreads over 300kms from its source. Maleny Observatories astronomist Dr Ken Wishaw once again is heading the community to support our neighbouring town of Landsborough in their appeal to Queensland Rail to implement dark sky policies.

There is a growing number of visitors coming to the hinterland specifically to enjoy the night sky, that has the potential to become a significant tourism drawcard. If the car park and the ongoing long term upgrading of the northern rail line use inappropriate lighting, all this is at risk. .

Andrew Powell is aware of this latest news and the feeling is that community pressure is needed to help his investigations at the state government level.

Please consider letting Andrew Powell MP, an enthusiastic supporter of dark sky initiatives, of your concern and support to make a change at the QR development at

Glass.House@parliament.qld.gov.au and there is also a feed-back link for QR at https://translink.com.au/contact-us/feedback

Mr. Andrew Wallace Federal