Welcome to the Summer 2022 edition of EnviroNews
We're on our way to being carbon neutral - join us!
At Frankston City Council we are well on our way to being carbon neutral, and we're here to help you on your own climate action journey.
Since we started our journey to becoming carbon neutral we've taken many big and small steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Last financial year we took a big one – in addition to installing rooftop solar we started purchasing accredited renewable energy through GreenPower. This switch to renewable energy helped us reduce our emissions by 24 per cent last year.
We are also working hard to reduce the use of precious drinking water, having joined forces with City of Kingston to ask the State and Federal Governments to help make our big water recycling project ideas become a reality.
We know that we will make a greater impact if we are taking action together, so in this edition we are also sharing some new opportunities for you to take climate action, including:
- Another round of Environmental Sustainability Grants is now open to help get your climate action project off the ground
- Try out a carbon neutral electric bike in Frankston City
- Save $1,000 on reverse cycle air conditioner upgrades in rental properties and cut your power bills
- Unlock savings for your business with low interest loans for building upgrades
- Look out for Frankston City Council’s new all electric FOGO-mobile
- A new Biodiversity Action Plan that focuses on protecting and enhancing our local biodiversity for current and future generations
- Help our local wildlife stay cool this summer
- Plan for floods and emergencies at home and work
If you have an event or news that you would like us to share with your community in the next EnviroNews, contact us at environment.newsletter@frankston.vic.gov.au and tell us more.
Be inspired, get involved
Environmental Sustainability Grants Program Round Two now open
Following the success of the first round of Frankston City Council Environmental Grants in 2021/22, this program is now open for a second round.
Do you have an idea for a project that will help our community take climate action, live more sustainably or improve our natural environment? Frankston City Council's Environmental Sustainability Grants program provides funding up to $1,000 to support community groups and organisations with environmental and sustainability projects that support the strategic vision for our City’s future.
Previously funded projects include building community gardens, connecting our community with nature and beach clean up equipment, a wetland citizen science project, a climate change documentary screening, and planting koala habitat trees.
Applications for the next round of grants are now open and close at 5pm on Monday 28 February.
Try out a carbon neutral electric bike in Frankston City this summer
As part of a 12 month trial, residents and visitors to Frankston City are now able to travel around our city in a more sustainable way.
The pedal-assisted e-bikes are charged with 100 per cent carbon neutral energy and this pilot scheme will create around 15 locally sourced jobs. It's easy and inexpensive to hire one of these bikes, too. The e-bikes will be in various locations around Frankston City, hire starts at $1 to unlock and 45 cents per hour, and you can find and hire them through the Neuron app on iPhone or Android.
So put your best foot forward and give one a go this summer!
Save $1,000 on reverse cycle air conditioner upgrades in rental properties and cut your power bills
Is your electricity bill higher than you would like it to be, or do you own a rental property with an older air conditioner or heating system that could be upgraded to a newer, more efficient model?
Good news - the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades program has now been expanded to include rental properties to help renters with a low income and/or a concession card save money on energy bills and make their home more comfortable all year round.
Rebates are available to upgrade older air conditioners, gas heaters, electric heaters, wood heaters and properties without heating to energy-efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners.
Under the program, property owners who upgrade can receive:
• $1,000 towards an energy-efficient reverse–cycle air conditioner,
• $200 towards decommissioning their outdated gas heater (if an existing gas heater is being replaced with an energy efficient reverse-cycle air conditioner), and
• $500 towards the cost of upgrading their switchboard (if required to install the rebated reverse–cycle air conditioner).
Consent from the property owner is required for this rebate, and there are forms available for renters to fill out and send to their landlord to request this upgrade.
Unlock savings for your business with low interest loans for building upgrades
Looking for ways to reduce the cost of running your business? Eligible businesses in the Frankston municipality can now access Environmental Upgrade Finance for projects that help save money and improve financial and environmental performance.
These government-backed, fixed-rate, low interest loans cover up to 100 per cent of project costs and allow for repayments to be made through Council's rates system with terms between five to 20 years.
Finance can be used to fund a broad range of upgrade works that improve the energy, water or environmental efficiency, or the overall sustainability of an existing building. Popular projects include:
- Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels and battery solutions
- Energy efficiency upgrades – such as lighting and control
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Green and cool roof installations
- Water efficiency and treatment systems
- Waste management
- Electric vehicle charging stations.
In almost all cases there is a positive cash flow outcome from the project, often from the first year of installation.
This is a key action of Council’s Towards Zero Emissions Plan (2019-2023).
Look out for Frankston City Council’s new all electric FOGO-mobile
Council’s new, 100 per cent electric waste education vehicle is hitting the streets in 2022, to spread the great news that food waste can go in your household green waste bin (now known as the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bin).
If you want to know more about how our FOGO collection service is turning your household food and garden waste into nourishing compost for Victorian farmers, keep an eye out for the zero emissions ‘FOGO-mobile’. The vehicle will travel around Frankston City throughout 2022 and feature at Council events and school programs.
Frankston City Council is on the way to zero emissions by 2025
Last year Frankston City Council’s greenhouse gas emissions were down by almost 35 per cent on previous years with a total of 10,420 tonnes (for 2020/21).
This was partly because of decreased energy usage at Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre and other Council sites due to COVID-19 closures, but mostly due to transitioning to 100% renewable energy for five of Council’s major facilities and street lighting.
A power purchase agreement with the Bald Hills Wind Farm in Gippsland is now powering the Civic Centre, Frankston Arts Centre, Operations Centre, Ebdale Community Hub and Learning Centre and Karingal PLACE Neighbourhood Centre, and we've switched our street lighting electricity to certified GreenPower.
Thinking about switching to renewable energy? Find out more about the options on our Solar and Renewable Energy page.
Councils join forces to advocate for more recycled water projects
Frankston City Council and City of Kingston joined forces to advocate for recycled water projects in October and spread the message about the need for more efficient and sustainable use of one of our most precious resources – water.
Former Frankston City Council Mayor, Kris Bolam, said: “By using recycled water, Council is reducing demand on Victoria’s drinking water supplies and contributing to the sustainable use of water. With average rainfall expected to decrease across Victoria as a result of climate change, saving water is essential to building community resilience.”
Frankston City Council has a long history of using recycled water for the irrigation of a number of the City’s recreation reserves (last financial year over 50 per cent of Council’s water usage was from recycled water), but more efficient water use and alternative water sources are needed to ensure long-term sustainability.
“Both the City of Kingston and Frankston City are working on innovative water recycling projects with South East Water that would provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions to our water issues, but we need State and Federal Government support to make these proposals a reality,” City of Kingston Mayor, Steve Staikos, said.
Priority projects for Frankston City Council include the Monterey Reserve and Frankston Recycled Water Schemes.
New Biodiversity Action Plan for Frankston City
The Biodiversity Action Plan (2021-2036) was adopted by Council at its meeting in November 2021. This Plan shares our vision for a community that values and supports the conservation of local biodiversity and fosters a strong connection with nature.
The Plan is Council’s commitment to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment and recognise the importance of supporting resilient ecosystems. It was developed through extensive community consultation and research and there are many actions to be delivered over its 15 year lifespan to ensure Frankston’s biodiversity is protected and enhanced for current and future generations.
The action within the Plan focus on improving community connections with nature, enhancing ecosystem health, establishing wildlife corridors and protecting flora and fauna and their habitats, and its implementation will result in enhanced and resilient ecosystems and provision of multiple ecosystem services for our community.
Help our local wildlife stay cool this summer
During the heat of summer while we keep our cool at the beach or pool, spare a thought for the wildlife in your local patch. They don’t have the luxury of taking a dip in the Bay.
Most animals have trouble regulating body temperature when temperatures reach 35 degrees Celsius or more, and during prolonged hot spells, many animals perish through dehydration unless they have access to clean drinking water.
During the summer period consider putting out dishes of drinking water for them and keep bird baths topped up. Water dishes must be shallow to prevent the risk of drowning and ideally place a rock or stick to enable animals to crawl out. Locate dishes in quiet, shady places and avoid metal containers that will get hot in the sun.
It’s a good idea to set these up prior to hot weather so that animals get used to finding them and so you get into the habit of refilling them.
Containers can be hung in trees or nailed to fences where tree dwelling species can access water safely without having to come to ground. Keep an eye on the water dishes and containers to make sure they don’t become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and empty and refill when needed.
If you see animals obviously suffering from heat stress call your local wildlife rescue service.
Plan for floods and emergencies at home and work
A changing climate means an increased risk of flooding. Those who plan and prepare for emergencies can reduce the impact of the emergency, and can recover quickly afterwards.
Floods are a natural occurrence in the Port Phillip and Westernport region. We can't stop them happening, but we can plan for and manage the risk, and reduce the consequences. There are three main waterways within the Frankston municipality – Kananook Creek, Boggy Creek and Sweetwater Creek. Seaford and parts of Frankston are located on the old Carrum Flats, an area of reclaimed marsh and wetlands. During heavy rainfall events, usually associated with severe storms, when the capacity of the drainage network is exceeded areas can see slow moving flood waters which are likely to spread out across streets and properties.
Preparing for flood emergencies includes:
- creating a home or work emergency plan
- using your local flood guide
- learning about sandbagging and
- learning how to 'bag it, block it, lift it and leave', and what steps to take as an emergency takes place.
Seaford » Frankston » Langwarrin » Karingal » Skye » Frankston South » Frankston North » Carrum Downs » Langwarrin South » Sandhurst
Frankston City Council acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong People, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters.
Frankston City Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, formally recognising that we need to work together to meet the lower target of the Paris Agreement, which is to keep global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably below 1.5 degrees Celsius. We will work with our community to collectively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.
