The draft Outdoor Lighting Policy is now on public exhibition and open for public comment.
The Policy provides a coordinated, principle-based framework for the responsible design, installation, operation and maintenance of outdoor lighting across Council-managed land. Developed in response to Mayoral Minute MM.1 – Development of a Lighting Policy for Ku-ring-gai (20 May 2025), the Policy addresses community concerns regarding the environmental, health and amenity impacts of artificial light.
The Policy promotes a balanced approach to lighting that ensures public safety, accessibility and visual amenity, while minimising light pollution, energy waste and ecological disruption. It is guided by the internationally recognised Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting (DarkSky International 2023), which advocate for lighting that is useful, targeted, low intensity, controlled and warm in colour.
The Policy promotes the use of best practice and smart-lighting technologies to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. It also supports key Council strategies, ensuring consistency across environmental and asset management frameworks.
By establishing clear design and management principles, the Policy enhances night-time liveability, protects biodiversity and residential amenity, and reinforces Council’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and responsible governance.
Public submissions are invited on the draft policy that can be accessed below.
Exhibition document
Draft Outdoor Lighting Policy(PDF, 369KB)
Feedback
To make a comment on the proposal you can do so in writing by quoting reference CY00473/12 by:
Email: krg@krg.nsw.gov.au or
Post: The General Manager, Ku-ring-gai Council, Locked Bag 1006 Gordon NSW 2072.
Submissions close 5pm, Thursday 12 February 2026.
It should be noted that submissions may be reproduced in Council reports, in Court proceedings, or in accordance with the provisions of the NSW Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.