Let’s Keep Bribie’s Night Sky Wild and Wonderful

For millions of years, life on Earth has danced to the rhythm of natural light: the daily cycle of day and night, the monthly lunar phases, and the seasonal shifts in daylight hours. These cycles shape everything from migration and feeding to breeding and rest—for wildlife and humans alike.

Wildlife has evolved under the influence of three lighting cycles: day-night, the monthly lunar cycle, and season changes.. These cycles now being disrupted by ever-increasing levels of Artificial Light At Night (ALAN). (Black Cockatoo under a full moon, photo by Darren Jew)

But in just over a century, artificial light at night (ALAN) has rapidly disrupted this ancient rhythm. Across Bribie Island and the Pumicestone Passage, increasing light pollution threatens to dim the stars—and endanger the nocturnal wildlife that depend on natural darkness.

Wildlife Needs the Night

Species like microbats, insect pollinators, frogs, turtles, owls, and our elusive mammals like the brush-tailed phascogale rely on darkness to survive and thrive. Bright lights at night confuse their navigation, interrupt their feeding and reproduction, and disrupt predator-prey interactions.

Artificial light doesn’t just impact animals. It affects people, too—suppressing melatonin, disturbing sleep, and increasing risks of chronic health conditions. But the good news is: we can fix this.

A Sky Full of Possibility

Bribie Island already has some of Southeast Queensland’s darkest coastal skies. If we act now, we can protect them—and even promote them. Communities around the world are earning recognition as Dark Sky Places—celebrating stargazing, nocturnal wildlife, and cultural storytelling under the stars.

Our neighbours from the Sunshine Coast Council are implementing  turtle-friendly lighting in key areas and are exploring the creation of a Dark Sky Reserve.

Australia's Light Pollution Guidelines Go Global

Australia is already leading the way. Our National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife are now being used internationally—adopted by the CMS Bonn Convention on Migratory Species.

Using the National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife to shape the design of lighting upgrades in public spaces, and ensuring coastal developments follow dark sky principles, is essential to keeping the skies over Bribie Island dark. This example shows how best-practice lighting design and installation can provide amenity while still preserving the dark sky (Photo courtesy the Dark Sky Alliance)

What you can do

Protecting our night skies starts in our backyards and neighbourhoods. You can help by:

• Using warm-coloured, low-intensity lighting

• Installing motion sensors or timers

• Shielding lights downward, not outward or upward

• Supporting advocacy for planning rules that reduce skyglow

• Following the work of the Australian Dark Sky Alliance

• Learn more at the Dark Sky Events at the Bribie Island Nature Festival
  

✍️ Take Action Now – Sign the Petition

Australia's guidelines provide a clear blueprint for designing lighting that protects shorebirds, turtles, seabirds, frogs, mammals, and humans alike, and it's time for these guidlines to become law. A federal e-petition is calling on the government to take national action on light pollution, that would enshrine dark sky principles into planning frameworks.

🖊️ Sign the petition today: 👉 https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN7346

Every voice matters—and every signature helps protect the night for wildlife, for people, and for future generations. Petition closes Friday September 19th 2025.