Naseby is one step closer to becoming a certified dark sky reserve.

The committee working to establish dark sky accreditation in the town has welcomed the addition of Plan Change 22 to the Central Otago District Plan, which supports the protection, maintenance and enhancement of the night sky from the adverse effects of lighting.

While the Central Otago District Council notified the public earlier this year, of its decision to include Plan Change 22, it had to provide an opportunity for people to appeal its decision, but none were received.

As a result, Plan Change 22 will come into effect tomorrow.

Among those who have been working on the project is co-ordinator Jill Wolff, who was pleased with the outcome.

“[I am] absolutely thrilled with where it’s at now. It’s looking like it’s back in our court now and it hasn’t been for quite some time,” she said.

The group would now “get cracking” on the next stage, which includes updating its written application.

Jill said its original application was sent away in about 2018, but the format has since changed.

Photographs to illustrate how dark it is in Naseby, with “no big cities lighting up the horizon”, were among the elements that would be added, she said.

They will be backed up with readings to show just how dark the area’s night sky is.

Community development organisation Naseby Vision has been instrumental in ensuring the protection of the town’s night sky.

As part of that process, it has been working with DarkSky International, formerly the International Dark-Sky Association, to meet official requirements.