As the first Sunday in April rolls around, Australians are preparing to spring their clocks forward one hour. That’s all for this weekend’s conclusion of Daylight Saving Time (DST). This annual increase began the first Sunday in October. Its aim is to increase the amount of evening light during the summer months. Many states and territories are engaged, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and Norfolk Island. Unfortunately for an ambitious NDC, Queensland and Western Australia have decided to sit this one out.
The first Australian state to adopt Daylight Saving Time was Tasmania in 1916. This short-lived initiative was an effort to save energy during World War One. After widespread use at its first implementation, it went nationwide in 1971. In a surprising turn, only a year later Queensland scrapped the practice. The adjustment shifts more daylight into the mornings as the clocks move back, aligning daily schedules with natural daylight patterns.
The angle of the Earth’s axis is responsible for varying lengths of daylight during the year. That’s the reason we all experience Daylight Saving Time (DST). Professor Tim Bedding explains, “The result is that days are longer in summer than in winter.” This change enables residents to enjoy more evening hours for recreational and social activities.
Areas north of Australia, including Fiji and Samoa, show a much greater favorability towards DST. Professor Bedding notes, “The effect of DST becomes less as you move towards the equator, which is presumably why Queensland decided not to adopt daylight saving.” Outdoor workers in these areas often find that the time change disrupts their schedules, leading to varying opinions on its effectiveness.
A national survey conducted this time last year found that about 80 percent of Australians were in favour of Daylight Saving Time. Support for the change is stronger among those who live in southern states and work indoors, compared to those who live in northern states. Professor Bedding highlights the complexity of opinions across the nation: “In a large geographically and climatically diverse country, one size does not necessarily fit all.”
As Daylight Saving Time ends, Australia will, in effect, lose two of its five time zones. The transition may bring mixed feelings for those who appreciate the longer daylight hours but must readjust their routines once again. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare for this seasonal change.
