Proposed Modification: 4-Month Daylight Savings Time from 1st Sunday of November to 1st Sunday of March
Petitioner:
Mrs Kerry Lippold
| Member:
Dalton, Helen
| No. of Signatories:
734
| Date closed:
10/10/2024
To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly,
Currently spanning six months we propose that DST be reduced to 4 months, which would be most beneficial to all the rural, remote and regional areas of NSW. This modification is crucial for several reasons outlined below:
Transition:
The first and last months of DST pose notable challenges for communities. Transitioning in and out of DST disrupts sleep patterns, causing fatigue, decreased productivity, and potential health issues. Many struggle to adjust to the changed daylight hours, affecting their daily routines and well-being.
Education:
DST complicates the daily routines of school children and their families. The darker mornings during the transition months can pose safety concerns for students commuting to school for a longer period of time, especially bus users, hindering learning outcomes and exacerbating existing challenges in education.
Farmers/Local Economy:
Agricultural communities bear a disproportionate burden during DST, particularly during the initial and final months. Farmers rely on natural daylight for their operations, these altered times can disrupt planting, harvesting and livestock management schedules adversely. Additionally, the inconsistency in time can complicate coordination with suppliers, markets and stakeholders, impacting the local economy.
Modification Synopsis:
4 months of DST would balance out the enjoyment of extra sunshine whilst minimizing negative effects on individuals, education, agriculture and local economy alike.
We the undersigned petitioners ask the Legislative Assembly to call on the government to implement a revised 4-month DST that better serves the needs of the majority of NSW communities.
