Welcome to the Winter edition of EnviroNews - July 2020

We hope you are all doing well in these strange and uncertain times. These days can be a time for reflection, being kind to each other and taking solace in the quiet moments. Remember that our natural world can be a place of solace and refuge in troubled times, so make sure you rug up (wear your mask) and get outside to breathe the fresh cool air, see the sky, sea and trees and listen to the birds and the wind. 

In this edition we seek your ideas on addressing climate change at a local level, let you know about Council's Environmental Sustainability grants and free plants for National Tree Day as well as sharing other good news stories from our area.

Climate Change Community Survey

We want to hear from you​

Climate change is happening now and we are experiencing the impacts on our community, economy and environment. Last November, Council declared a climate emergency, recognising that urgent action is needed to address climate change and keep people and the environment safe, now and for generations to come.

Since this declaration was made, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives in previously unimaginable ways. Together, we now have an opportunity to rebuild our community in a way that is better for people and the planet.

Let us know what matters most to you when it comes to responding to climate change at a local level. The survey will take around 10 - 15 minutes to complete. Please help us spread the word by sharing the survey with your family, friends and colleagues, with schools, businesses, sporting clubs, community groups, visitors and anyone else you know who has a link to our municipality. 

You can also visit Council's Big Ideas Forum to express your thoughts on responding to climate change or vote on other people's ideas. Information collected from the forum and survey will help inform Council's future climate actions.

To learn more about climate change visit Council’s Climate Change webpage.

The survey is open until Wednesday 26 August.

Environmental Sustainability Grants

Open until Friday 31 July

For a short time, grants up to $1000 are available to not-for-profit organisations with environmental and sustainability projects that support the strategic vision for Frankston City’s future. The four key themes for you to choose from in your application are:

1. Protecting and enhancing natural assets
2. Wise use of natural resources
3. Minimising environmental impacts
4. Educating and engaging the community

Click on the link below for more information. You may find a grant is exactly what you need to get your idea off the ground, or assist you with the good work your group is already doing.

Council embraces renewable energy

Powering forward

Renewable energy created by the Bald Hills Wind Farm in Gippsland will power key Council buildings for at least the next decade.

Since early July, the Frankston Civic Centre, Frankston Arts Centre, Operations Centre, Ebdale Community Hub and Learning Centre and Karingal PLACE Neighbourhood Centre have all been powered by 100 per cent renewable energy from the wind farm. 

This supply of renewable energy is expected to reduce Council’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2,309 tonnes each year. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere contribute to global warming and reducing our local emissions helps to fight this international problem.

To read more about climate change visit Council’s Climate Change webpage.

National Tree Day - free plants! 

Help grow our urban forest 

This year Council will celebrate National Tree Day a little differently. Although there won't be an on-site community planting event, we still want to celebrate National Tree Day with you and are donating FREE indigenous plants for you to plant in your own garden.

All you need to do is register for your free plant and collect it from Council's Indigenous Nursery in Seaford before Sunday 2 August. Be sure to take a photo when you're planting your tree and share it on social media using the hashtags: #FrankstonCity #FrankstonLovesTrees

Although the public can't be there, we will still plant 3,500 native plants at our planned National Tree Day site in Seaford. This will increase biodiversity and improve the habitat for native wildlife. 

Junior Explorer Activities

The news - good and bad

Each school holidays, Council usually hosts ranger guided walks which give residents the opportunity to discover and learn about our local environment.

Unfortunately we have had to cancel our winter school holiday program due to the current pandemic restrictions on public gatherings.

However, we have prepared some Junior Explorer activity sheets for you to use while enjoying your garden or local walks through our beautiful natural reserves.  

You can download Bush Detectives, Treasure Hunt, Lizard Wildlife Diary and Feathered Friends Wildlife Diary activity sheets to share with your family, any time you like.

Frankston City Council recommends residents and visitors exercise social distancing when in public areas.

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