Caitlin Menadue, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

A new Dark Sky Policy could put Yorke Peninsula’s Port Moorowie on the stargazing map as community consultation draws to a close today, Tuesday, January 13.

If adopted, Port Moorowie will become an established Dark Sky Community alongside Carrickalinga on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the first Dark Sky Community in South Australia.

The Friends of Port Moorowie began to investigate the possibility in early 2024 after it was suggested by a local resident.

“If it wasn’t for this resident who is now on the committee, we wouldn’t have done anything about it,” FoPM chairperson Jo Daniels-Wilson said.

Dark Sky restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the effects of light pollution that disrupts wildlife, impacts human health, consumes energy, contributes to climate change, and affects the view of the solar system.

The association undertook their own community consultation process via a survey during the 2024 Christmas and New Year’s, which saw a total of 127 responses from 37 permanent residents, 31 residents from other YP areas and 59 visitors to the area.

With most responses showing strong support, concerns were raised regarding the proposal and the ability to meet the conditions and ongoing commitments of the association.

“Concerns were that it would bring busloads of people into the town and Port Moorowie doesn’t have the facilities for this,” Ms Daniels-Wilson said.

FoPM soon agreed to not continue with the proposal but rather make an application to council to implement the policy.

“We’ve had positive reinforcement from the community,” Ms Daniels-Wilson said.

“Everyone seems pleased with the dark sky.”

Under the policy, council would be obligated to ensure everyone within the community understood how they could assist, attain, preserve and promote the Dark Sky concept, retain unlit streets and ensure that any new public lighting within Port Moorowie meets the standards and requirements expected as Dark Sky friendly.

“The policy isn’t saying that you can’t have lights but it’s just restricting how it’s used,” Ms Daniels-Wilson said.

Community consultation closes at 5pm today, Tuesday January 13, with responses to then be read and considered by council.

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 13 January 2026.