Naseby’s eight-year journey toward dark sky accreditation is approaching a critical point, bringing it one step closer to sign off.

Appeals to the Environment Court will close in just under a week, allowing the committee to enter its next phase.

Co-ordinator Jill Wolff said the committee was now going through its application, while working to “reinvigorate” community support toward the project, which started in 2016.

She said the rules had changed since the group first initiated the project, which would see the township be classified as a Dark Sky Community.

As part of the process, the entire community has to apply, she said.

Naseby could soon be regarded a Dark Sky Community, if it meets the requirements of DarkSky International. PHOTO: Phil Flanagan / Star Dust Studios Naseby

She hoped that once the group was given the green light, the committee would have about six months to update its paperwork to ensure it was aligned with new rules and regulations.

Protection of Naseby’s night sky has also been reflected in the Central Otago district plan, a move that was approved at a Central Otago District Council (CODC) meeting in late June.

As part of that process, CODC adopted Plan Change 22, which introduces the planning framework for mapping areas known as dark sky precincts, the first of which will be in Naseby.

The new Dark Sky Precinct adopted by CODC covers the Naseby township and nearby rural land within the visual catchment of the town.

The plan change specifically protects the quality of Naseby’s dark skies through the establishment of lighting codes, local monitoring of compliant outdoor light codes, and increasing awareness of light.

Community development organisation Naseby Vision has been instrumental in ensuring the protection of the town’s night sky and has been working with the DarkSky International, formerly the International Dark-Sky Association, to meet official requirements.