Welcome to the late summer edition of EnviroNews
As summer fades away, many of us are reflecting on the very real examples of climate change that we see in the world around us. The horrific bushfires have brought us face-to-face with the Australian realities of the 1.1 degree rise in average global temperature.
To stop the temperature rising above 1.5 degrees, scientists state that greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced urgently worldwide this decade. The term 'climate emergency' expresses that the time to do this is running out. People from all walks of life are therefore calling for leadership and action to reduce the emissions that are causing our climate to change.
In this edition, you can read about Council's positive actions in this area and get ideas to reduce your own impacts. There's information about a new FREE energy advice service, Clean Up Australia Day, supporting wildlife habitats, home solar and batteries, indigenous gardening and more. For some inspiration, check out the details for the '2040' movie night which explores a vision of how good the future could be!
Climate Emergency declaration - what's next?
Council has joined the international movement that recognises the global climate emergency and that urgent action is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change.
Currently Council has several new initiatives underway to reduce emissions. These include:
- Street lighting upgrade - almost 7000 streetlights on minor roads will be changed to energy efficient LEDs
- Free Energy Advice Service - see details further below
- Power Purchase Agreement - Council is participating in a buying group to get the best prices on renewable energy, in addition to that generated by solar panels on Council buildings
- Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Policy - in development, proposed to be introduced into the planning scheme this year
Council has also started reviewing the Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Plan and will engage our community and other authorities to ensure local buy-in and shared solutions to the climate emergency. Watch this space for ways you can get involved.
Clean Up Australia Day
Sunday 1 March 2020
This great community event is just around the corner: find a clean up site near you and join other locals to care for our special corner of our world.
To get involved, register your attendance, grab your hat and sunscreen and turn up on the day. It's a great way to meet other community-minded people who care for their local environment.
Sites organised by local community groups in Frankston City include:
- 3198 Seaford Beach Patrol - Seaford Pier, beach and surrounds
- 3199 Frankston Beach Patrol - Frankston Pier and beach
- Friends of Langwarrin Outdoors and Waterways (FLOW) - Lloyd Park, Langwarrin
- Littermad - Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve, Frankston North
- Community of Christ Frankston - Jubilee Park, Frankston
Essential guide to habitat boxes
Sunday 15 March, 10am - 12pm
Frankston Library
60 Playne Street, Frankston
One of the most important ways to help native wildlife is to preserve their natural habitat. When trees are removed, habitat boxes can provide a safe refuge for birds, bats, possums and other wildlife.
Learn how to create, install and maintain habitat boxes for native wildlife from an expert in the field.
Earth Hour: nature after dark
Saturday 28 March, 7.30 - 9pm
Paratea Flora and Fauna Reserve
12R Paratea Avenue, Frankston South (opposite preschool)
Join millions of people around the world taking part in Earth Hour, a symbolic way to show awareness of the impacts of the climate emergency on the planet.
Join Council rangers to reconnect with nature and discover nocturnal wildlife during Earth Hour.
Guided ranger activities
April school holidays
Various sites in Frankston City
Each school holidays, Council rangers run a range of family activities in a variety of beautiful bushland reserves.
Join them to explore and learn about the local environment and some of the wildlife that call it home. These family-friendly educational activities are suitable for all ages.
A small booking fee applies.
Party in the Park - Enviro Hub
Tuesday 7 April, 9.30am - 1.30pm
Cruden Farm, Langwarrin
Enter via Cranhaven Road or McClelland Drive
Bring the family along to this great day of fun activities and be sure to visit the Enviro Hub.
The kids will enjoy environmental activities and games, while you chat to Council officers about waste and recycling and learn about Council's climate emergency declaration, and what you can do.
Remember to bring along your re-usable water bottle and coffee cup for your waste free drinks.
Solar and battery info night
Tuesday 21 April, 7 - 9pm
Frankston Football Club, Graham Room
Corner Plowman Place and Young Street,
Frankston
With solar becoming more affordable than ever, there's never been a better time to consider solar power and battery storage for your home.
Get the facts and advice from an independent energy expert from the Australian Energy Foundation to help you navigate 'going solar', with or without batteries.
New FREE energy advice service
Council has partnered with the Australian Energy Foundation (AEF) to provide energy advice and an independent referral service for local residents.
The AEF will provide free advice, answers to questions on solar and batteries, changing lights to LEDs, hot water systems, heating, cooling, window treatments and insulation. Residents will also receive referrals to reliable suppliers for quotes to complete the works.
To celebrate the launch of this great partnership, Council and the AEF are offering three lucky residents a free home energy assessment valued up to $500.
Frankston City residents who contact the AEF for home energy advice between 9am Monday 24 February and 5pm Friday 24 April 2020 will be automatically entered into the competition.
Winners will be randomly selected on 1 May 2020 and notified within 7 days.
Transforming food waste into compost
Did you know that you can now place food waste in your garden bin and it will be turned into nourishing compost for Victorian farmers?
If you have a current garden waste bin service through Council, you are eligible for a FREE kitchen caddy and a supply of compostable liners, if you would like them. The caddies and liners can be ordered for delivery to your home or can be collected at any Customer Service Centre.
If you don’t already have a garden waste bin and want to get involved, contact Council to order your new bin, which comes with the kitchen caddy, liners and helpful information to get you started.
Bin it better
Are you recycling correctly?
When the wrong thing goes in the bin, it is considered contaminated. While most of us are pretty good at sorting our rubbish from our recycling, there has been a recent increase in recycling bin contamination.
The main contaminants are soft plastics and bagged recyclables.
Please ensure that you empty your recyclables into your recycling bin loose and that soft plastics are kept out.
Soft plastics can be dropped off at most major supermarkets for recycling instead (see REDCycle.net.au) or place them in your garbage (landfill) bin.
'2040' film screening with special guest, Costa
Wednesday 11 March, 6.30pm
Frankston High School Performing Arts Centre
97 Foot Street, Frankston
Frankston High School's Eco Team invite you to join them at a movie night with Costa Georgiadis from ABC's Gardening Australia.
Award winning director Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film) explores what the future could look like if we embrace the best solutions already available to improve our planet. This positive outlook could help the environmentally anxious feel a little better about what the future might hold.
Damon Gameau will live Skype into the event to answer questions from the audience.
Tickets are $5.50 and profits will be donated to the Dolphin Research Institute.
A half century caring for Kananook Creek
February 2020 marks 50 years since a group of dedicated local residents formed the Kananook Creek Association (KCA). Members volunteer their time to clean, restore and preserve the Kananook Creek and its environment through weed control, re-vegetation works, education and advocating for its protection.
The group works closely with Council and Melbourne Water. They were nominated in 2019 as a finalist for a Keep Victoria Beautiful Community Award for their creek restoration works in partnership with the Green Army.
Congratulations to KCA for their sustained efforts contributing to the environmental wellbeing of the creek. Current Kananook Creek ranger Patrick joins a long line of Council officers who have appreciated KCA’s assistance in ongoing restoration work and protection of the creek.
Council thanks these amazing volunteers for their dedication and achievements over the past five decades and wishes them ongoing success for their next 50 years.
A fresh new start
Is your home cluttered with stuff you don't need any more?
Now is the perfect time for a de-clutter and there are lots of ways to give your unwanted goods a second life. You could consider:
- whether your neighbours, friends or family might want the items
- if they are in good condition, your local Op Shop might want them. It's a good idea to call ahead to check
- swapping, selling or giving the items away through pages like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Trading Post, Buy Swap Sell or Ziilch
- using a donation bin from an organisation such as SCRgroup (SCR). Some SCR bins accept other items as well as clothes (shoes, handbags, accessories and small electrical items). To find your closest SCR bin visit scrg.com.au
For more information on a myriad of recycling and disposal options, check out the A – Z Waste and Recycling Directory and experience the pleasure of de-cluttering!
Victorian Garden Competition
Nominations open Monday 2 March
This competition is part of the Back to Earth Initiative, a campaign supported by Council, for kindergartens, schools and community groups to nominate a garden or environmental project to win up to $5,000.
Once schools and groups submit their nominations, the community will vote for a winner from 16 April to 11 May. In addition to the cash, the winner will receive a truckload of compost made from the food and green waste we put in our kerbside garden waste bins.
So get ready to enter if you think you have a worthy project: you have to be in it to win it!
Have your say
Fireworks in Frankston City
Council is seeking community feedback on fireworks displays which currently feature at Council's major events such as the Festival of Lights and the Waterfront Festival.
To have your say please complete this short survey by Sunday 22 March 2020.
Have your say
National Plastics Summit
Survey open until Monday 1 March 2020
The Minister for the Environment will host a National Plastics Summit in Canberra on 2 March 2020 and is seeking input from people across the country to help inform decisions.
This is your chance to share your views and key concerns about plastics and your desired outcomes for the Summit.
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PO Box 490
Frankston 3199
Tel: 1300 322 322
info@frankston.vic.gov.au