Southern View: December 19,

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 Locally Owned www.star.kiwi A Star Media Event Star Media Helping the hungry Charities join forces to spread Christmas cheer to needy families Page 8 Page 12 Flame files finale After 518 columns Mark Thomas has one final message before retiring – use smoke alarms Sunday 18 March 2018 city2surf.co.nz Dark sky reserves mooted for areas of city and peninsula • By Bridget Rutherford Karolin Potter CALLS TO regulate light pollution in parts of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula to establish dark sky reserves have been reignited. The Spreydon-Cashmere Community has asked city council staff to provide advice on whether there are any lighting level controls in the city. Board chairwoman Karolin Potter raised the idea. She said the city council could designate particular areas, such as around Summit Rd, part of the residential red zone, Halswell Quarry Park, and areas and beaches in Banks Peninsula, as dark sky reserves where no lights could be installed. Those areas had little light pollution at night already, she said. They would be similar to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve near Tekapo, where artificial light pollution was strictly controlled. It comes as the city council is in the process of converting its street lights to LED technology. Ms Potter said not every street and laneway needed to be lit up, as light bounced off from other TIMELY: The Spreydon-Cashmere Community Board says the city council is currently upgrading its street lights to LED technology, so it is the right time to discuss dark sky reserves. PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER streets. People walking at night would be encouraged to take safer routes that did have lighting, she said. The reserves would benefit the flora and fauna, nocturnal species and star-gazers, she said. “The city has no designated dark sky places and if we don’t do that soon, then they will all go.” It comes after Emeritus Professor of Astronomy John Hearnshaw called for the residential red zone to be turned into a dark sky reserve last year. •Turn to p5 Our Sydenham family store is relocating Free Gift Wrapping SELWYN STREET NOW OPEN Lindauer Classic Range aNy 2 fOr $ 19 99 lightEr OPtiON Or $10.99Ea Te Ope Whakaora Opening 10am January 3rd 2018 Cnr Carlyle & Gasson Streets Pick ups call 332 8277 Gift Suggestions For That Special Lady Pyjamas - Short & Long Satin Chemises | Cotton Nites Robes - Zip, Button, Wrap Bra & Knicker Sets | Chilli Socks Camisoles & Boxer Sets Gift Vouchers | Exchange cards Shop 48 Barrington, Barrington Street | Phone 03 337 6609 | www.lingerieonbarrington.co.nz Speight’s Gold Medal 330ml $ 22 99 12Pk Each $ 33 99 24Pk Each Jim Beam Gold 7% & Canadian Club & Dry 7% 250ml Cans Teacher’s Scotch Whisky, Stoli Vodka & Gordon’s Gin 1 Litre SPECIALS AVAILABLE FROM 11/12/17 UNTIL 7/1/18 Selwyn Street 1/304 Selwyn St Ph. 03 377 6586 www.thebottle-o.co.nz aNy 3 fOr $ 99 99 Or $34.99Ea