Lighting Strategy & Light Management Plans

Planning approval stage strategy and regulatory compliance documentation.

Multi residential

Commercial

Private

Sports

Lighting Strategies and Management Plans for Planning Approval

What we do

Spaces At Night prepares external lighting strategies and Light Management Plans for developments requiring planning approval.
Our documentation is structured to satisfy council permit conditions, planning scheme requirements and relevant Australian Standards. As lighting consultants we work at the planning stage to ensure external lighting is considered early – reducing approval risk, redesign costs and compliance issues later in the project.

Projects include:

Multi-residential developments
Childcare and community facilities
Commercial and mixed-use sites
Industrial and logistics facilities
Rural and environmentally sensitive locations
Bushfire and wildlife overlay areas

What Our Lighting Strategies Address

How we do it

Assessment

Every light management plan and lighting strategy begins with a structured assessment of the site context and its relationship to surrounding land use.
We determine the applicable Environmental Zone under AS/NZS 4282:2023 and establish the relevant pre-curfew and post-curfew limits for vertical illuminance, luminance and upward light emission. This forms the regulatory framework within which the external lighting must operate.

Application – Public Lighting

External areas are then classified in accordance with AS/NZS 1158.3.1, applying appropriate pedestrian and activity categories based on anticipated use, safety requirements and site hierarchy. Lighting levels are aligned to function – increasing where clarity and safety are required, and reducing toward site boundaries and sensitive residential or environmental interfaces.

Application – Recreational

Sports and recreation facilities are assessed in accordance with the relevant AS/NZS 2560.2 series standards, with playing areas classified based on competition level, training requirements and broadcast considerations where applicable. Target illuminance levels, uniformity ratios and glare control parameters are established according to the nominated standard and verified through modelling.

Lighting levels are calibrated to suit the hierarchy of use – higher horizontal and vertical illuminance across the field of play, controlled transition zones to spectator areas and circulation paths, and progressive reduction toward site boundaries. Particular attention is given to spill light, obtrusive effects and potential impact on adjoining residential properties, ensuring compliance with AS/NZS 4282:2023 while maintaining the required performance for safe and functional sport participation.

Report

The strategy defines how luminaires are to be contained, shielded and oriented to prevent unnecessary light spill or glare beyond the site. Particular attention is given to vertical illuminance at boundaries, potential views from adjoining dwellings, and the control of upward waste light.

Verification

Where required, compliance modelling is undertaken to demonstrate that the proposed light management approach is capable of satisfying relevant standards and planning objectives. For projects subject to specific permit conditions, a detailed Light Management Plan may be prepared to document control strategies, operational parameters and compliance pathways through to installation and commissioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Light Management Plan is a structured document prepared in response to planning permit conditions requiring external lighting to be controlled and contained. It outlines how lighting will comply with relevant standards, including AS/NZS 4282, and demonstrates that glare, light spill and upward light emission will be appropriately managed.

A Lighting Strategy is typically required during the planning approval stage for developments involving external lighting. Councils may request a strategy where a project interfaces with residential properties, environmentally sensitive areas, bushfire overlays, childcare facilities, or mixed-use developments.

A Lighting Strategy establishes the principles and compliance framework for external lighting at the planning stage.
A Light Management Plan is typically prepared in response to specific permit conditions and may include detailed luminaire controls, operational requirements and compliance verification pathways.

External lighting is generally assessed against:
AS/NZS 4282:2023 – Control of the Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting
AS/NZS 1158.3.1 – Lighting for Roads and Public Spaces
Safety by Design Guidelines (Victoria)
National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife (where applicable)
The applicable Environmental Zone (A0–A4) is determined based on site context.

Many councils require a Light Management Plan when developments include external lighting that may affect surrounding properties or environmentally sensitive areas. The plan demonstrates how lighting will comply with standards such as AS/NZS 4282 and outlines measures to control glare, light spill and upward light emission before installation.

light management plan and Council Lighting Permit Requirements

Related Lighting Compliance Services

Related Reading:
Where planning permits require confirmation of installed lighting performance, in-situ lux and luminance testing can be undertaken to verify compliance with AS/NZS 4282 and AS/NZS 1158. Click here.