National Tree Day

Sunday 28 July, 10am–12pm, Witternberg Reserve, 12 Witternberg Avenue, Frankston

Join rangers and your local community to help re-vegetate our environment and enhance wildlife habitat. Witternberg Reserve is an important conservation area that supports a wide range of rare flora and fauna species.

• Suitable for all ages
• Free sausage and sizzle and refreshments provided
• Wear warm clothing, sturdy shoes, waterproof jacket and hat
• No tools necessary but you may like to bring gardening gloves (optional)

Habitat Gardening

Sunday 15 August, 10am–12pm, Frankston Mechanics Institute, 1N Plowman Place, Frankston

Your garden or outdoor area, regardless of size, can become a beautiful wildlife retreat for you and our local native fauna to enjoy. By providing a few simple elements such as water, food and shelter you can provide habitat to attract native birds, bats, lizards, frogs, butterflies and other insects to your garden.

Local wildlife carers Janet and Paula will show you how to design and maintain your garden in a wildlife-friendly way in this enjoyable free session.

Draft Waste Wise Events Policy

Have your say: closes 29 July

Council has drafted a Waste Wise Events Policy to help minimise waste and litter at events. We would love your input to help shape this policy.

The draft Waste Wise Events Policy is available for community feedback until Monday 29 July 2019.

An online feedback form and a downloadable copy of the draft Waste Wise Events Policy is available on Council's website.

Composting and worm farming for beginners

Saturday 14 September, Frankston Library, 60 Playne St, Frankston

Composting: 10.15–11.45am
Worm farming: 12–1.30pm

If you don’t eat it, your garden will! Learn how easy it is to create nourishing compost or worm juice to help grow healthy plants and put your food waste to good use.

The sessions are free, but bookings essential.

Victorian Government Solar Rebates

Changes to the solar rebate

The Victorian Government has changed the application process and opportunities available for rebates on rooftop solar panels. There are now limited rebates available each month, with funding awarded on a first-come first-served basis.

There are also rebates available for rental properties, solar batteries and solar hot water systems, plus the option to apply for an interest-free loan equal to the rebate amount.

The eligibility criteria and the amount available for rooftop solar – up to $2,225 (reducing after 31 December 2019) – remains unchanged.  

New! Environmental Sustainability Grants

Open all year round

Have you heard about these new Council grants of up to $1000? They aim to support community organisations and projects that align with the strategic vision for a sustainable city.

Key themes are:

• Protecting and enhancing natural assets
• Wise use of natural resources
• Minimising environmental impacts
• Educating and engaging the community

Please note, the grants are for not-for-profit, incorporated community groups or organisations. Individuals, schools and businesses are not eligible. 

Single use plastic bags phased out

From November 2019

The Victorian Government will be banning lightweight plastic shopping bags across Victoria from November 2019. This means that it will be illegal for a retailer to supply a banned plastic shopping bag and for plastic bag suppliers and manufacturers to give false or misleading information about banned bags.

The ban will apply to all lightweight plastic shopping bags but not produce bags for unpackaged foodstuffs (e.g. fruit and meat), garbage bags and bin liners, dog waste and nappy bags, and essential product packaging (e.g. bread bags).

It's good news for the environment and an incentive to help us remember to take our own bags every time we go shopping.

Retailers are encouraged to stop buying banned bags as soon as possible and remove any existing stock before the ban comes into effect.

Best Street Awards

Celebrating where we live

Let's celebrate and reward our City’s best 'community-minded' streets!

Aside from the honour of being recognised, participants will go into the draw to win an exclusive street sign and a range of other exciting prizes. Finalists will be invited to attend a special award ceremony and take part in a photoshoot and feature article for Frankston City News.

To enter, just explain briefly why your street is worthy of this accolade. Focus on what makes your street friendly, how the residents look after each other, how presentable and tidy your street is and how you and your neighbours value your environment and community. Perhaps some of you share food scraps for composting or work together to plant wildlife-friendly plants? Tell us about it!

Greening Our Future events

Latest events brochure out soon

The next six monthly event series has been finalised and the latest brochure is being printed this week. Keep an eye out for your copy at your local Council Customer Service Centre or Neighbourhood Community Centre next week.

Events later in the year include:

• Modern Cloth Nappies 101
• Community Shredding Day
• Living with Snakes
• Smart Summer Homes

Details will be listed on Council's website in coming weeks.

The Frankston Planning Scheme Review

Have your say: Closes 2 August

Council's Frankston Planning Scheme sets out policies and requirements for the use, development and protection of land within Frankston City.

Every four years, Council undertakes a review of the Scheme, to make sure it is kept up-to-date and able to respond to emerging planning issues and challenges.

The draft Planning Scheme Review 2019 was considered at the 3 June Council Meeting and is available for public comment until Friday 2 August.