Welcome to the Summer 2020 edition of EnviroNews

What a year 2020 has been. We should all feel proud of what we have achieved through the lockdowns and ready to enjoy our new found freedom this summer. Many of us have a heightened appreciation of our neighbourhoods and have discovered local gems we didn't know about. We are certainly lucky to live in this part of the world.

This edition covers:

• Climate Change Community Survey results
• Council's energy and water saving initiatives
• Victorian Government's new energy saving package
• tips on reducing waste during the holiday season
• a local biodiversity update
• Clean Up Australia Day
• Melbourne's green wedges - have your say

Climate change a hot topic

Results from Council’s recent Climate Change Community Survey show that our community is deeply concerned about climate change. Over 750 people provided feedback on ways we can work together to meet the challenges of climate change at a local level and 80 per cent of respondents are ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about climate change.

They told us the local climate change impacts of most concern to them are:

• loss of biodiversity, flora and fauna, vegetation and habitat
• sea level rise and/or coastal erosion
• harsher and longer fire seasons and bushfires
• extreme weather events
• more hot days, heatwaves and drought

Respondents said the most important areas for Council to focus on in addressing climate change are:

• preserving and enhancing biodiversity and urban forests
• increasing renewable energy use
• avoiding and reducing waste
• achieving sustainable buildings and homes

Respondents made valuable suggestions about ways Council can support individual and community climate action. The key findings will inform the development of Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. For more information and to see the Climate Change Survey Report, click the button below.

Shining a light on Council's environmental performance 

Council is committed to the sustainable use of natural resources as shown in the Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Energy and Water Usage and Costs Report for 2019-2020.

Recent achievements include:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2 per cent  (334 tonnes) by reducing energy use in Council facilities through efficiency measures and rooftop solar. These reduced emissions lessen Council’s contribution to climate change, helping us progress towards our zero net emissions (carbon neutral) target by 2025  
• reducing mains water usage by 19 per cent, saving 37 million litres of water (enough to fill 14 Olympic swimming pools)
• sourcing recycled water to irrigate key Council reserves throughout the City. This covers 43 per cent of Council’s water usage, conserving precious drinking water supplies

Future Council projects include:

• installing two large-scale solar power systems at Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) and the Frankston Civic Centre, and upgrading lighting of Council facilities
• assessing and prioritising several new recycled water schemes to improve water security for Frankston City

For more details see the agenda for Council's Ordinary Meeting on 23 November 2020, or contact Council’s Environmental Services team on 1300 322 322.

Victorian Government's energy saving package

The Victorian Government recently announced a $797 million investment to help Victorians reduce energy bills and make homes more energy efficient. The initiative includes:

• Energy efficient heating and cooling upgrades for low income and vulnerable households
• Energy efficiency upgrades for social housing properties – insulation, draught sealing and installing energy efficient appliances such as heating and hot water systems
• $250 Power Saving Bonus for concession card holders – a once-off payment of $250 to help eligible households with their energy bills
• Expanding the Victorian Energy Upgrades program – discounted energy efficient products and services for households and businesses, including replacing gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives and much more
• Improving energy efficiency standards for new homes – raising the standard for new homes to a new 7-star level  
• Minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes – helping renters who struggle with energy costs while trying to keep their homes comfortable in all seasons
• Expanding the existing Solar Homes program – providing more rebates to help households obtain solar and batteries and a new rebate for small businesses to install rooftop solar

Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday 7 March 2021

Plan ahead and register a site now!

Where: Various locations around Frankston City

Registration:
To register a site or join an existing site call 1800 CUA DAY (282 329) or visit: cleanup.org.au  

Taking part in a local Clean Up Australia Day event is a great way to enjoy your favourite park, beach or bushland reserve and to get to know your community. Plus every piece of rubbish picked up helps improve the health of our environment.

Register early for a free post-event collection (selected sites only). Council may be able to assist you in promoting your community clean up event if you let us know by Sunday 31 January 2021. 

Government restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will apply.

For more information contact Council's Waste Minimisation Officer on 1300 322 322 or email Joanna.Drennan@frankston.vic.gov.au 

Biodiversity Action Plan update

Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan continues to progress with the first stage of consultation now complete. Virtual consultation workshops were held between September and November and a community survey was open during August. Almost 100 participants attended three workshops and 127 survey responses were received.

We asked the community and those working to protect our natural assets to share their ideas about how they experience and think about Frankston City's natural environment. We also asked for suggestions on ways Council and the community can protect biodiversity for current and future generations. 

The consultation process helped us better understand how to deliver an Action Plan that will lead to effective on-the-ground projects. These projects will help create a sustainable city that protects biodiversity and provides healthy and nurturing spaces.

The draft Biodiversity Action Plan is expected to be available for public comment early in 2021. In the meantime you may be interested in reading a discussion paper on Frankston City's biodiversity.

Lighting the way to energy savings

If you have visited the Frankston Arts Centre or Frankston Library recently you may have noticed a change in the carpark lighting. Council has replaced 291 lights with energy efficient LEDs, which not only save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduce the running costs for ratepayers.

The new lights will:

• improve lighting levels for access and safety
• save an estimated 122 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year
• have lower maintenance costs (they last much longer than the old lights)

The project was estimated to cost around $30,000. However, thanks to the Victorian Government’s Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program Council was able to complete it for approximately $5,000. The savings will contribute to other important community services.

This project is an action from Council’s Towards Zero Emissions Plan.

For more information on the VEU program and how businesses and households can cut energy bills through energy efficiency, click the button below

Strengthening Victoria's green wedges 

Have your say 

Melbourne’s green wedges and surrounding farmland are critical to our economic prosperity and a healthy environment. They provide thousands of jobs in agriculture, conservation and tourism. Green wedges include some of the world’s best parks, wetlands and nature reserves, and many have rich Indigenous cultural history. They also provide critical infrastructure like water treatment plants and raw materials to build our houses, roads and train lines.

As a result of COVID-19, local communities are reconnecting more than ever with green spaces near their homes and the places where their food is grown. At a time of climate change, strengthening protections for green wedges and agricultural land is especially vital to ensure these precious areas thrive well into the future.

Public consultation on planning for Melbourne's green wedges is open until 5pm on Friday 5 February 2021.

We hope you can relish the simple pleasures this summer, such as getting out and about, catching up with family and friends and enjoying the feeling of breathing the fresh air outside without a mask (while socially distancing of course).

We wish you a safe and happy Christmas, festive season and New Year and hope you can tap into our beautiful, natural environment to recharge and revitalise your spirits.

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