Welcome to the winter 2022 edition of EnviroNews
Welcome EnviroNews readers
Winter vibes mean curling up on the couch with a hot cuppa. We invite you to enjoy your cuppa with the latest edition of Frankston City Council's EnviroNews.
In this edition find out how you can provide feedback on climate change action and water saving, learn about the latest financial incentives to save energy, as well as Council's Environmental Sustainability Grant program, getting involved in Biodiversity Month, transitioning to green power and much more.
Stay warm and save
Financial support to reduce energy costs
Rising energy costs during the cooler months is an unfortunate reality for many. On average, Victorian households can spend up to $800 a year, or a third of their energy bill, on heating.
Fortunately, a range of financial incentives are available for households and businesses to improve energy efficiency, save money and reduce emissions.
Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Rebate – a $1,000 rebate for eligible homeowners and rental properties (via the landlord) to upgrade gas, electric and wood heaters with energy efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners (which also provide heating). Visit: heatingupgrades.vic.gov.au
Victorian Energy Upgrades Program – discounts to homeowners and businesses on energy saving products and appliances including low and no-cost options such as draught sealing, as well as subsidies for replacing major appliances such as hot water systems, heating systems and much more. Visit: victorianenergysaver.vic.gov.au
Power Saving Bonus – a once-off $250 payment to all Victorian households to help cover the cost of home energy bills and find a better energy deal using the Victorian Government's independent price comparison site. Visit: compare.energy.vic.gov.au
Environmental Sustainability Grant Program
Applications open Thursday 1 September, close 31 October
Do you have a project that will help our community to live more sustainably or improve our natural environment? You may be eligible to apply for a grant to help move it along.
Council's Environmental Sustainability Grant program provides funding up to $5,000 to support community groups and organisations with environmental and sustainability projects. Projects must align with the themes of Council’s Greening Our Future Environment Strategy:
1. Protecting and enhancing natural assets (such as: planting indigenous trees, bush food gardens, and bush regeneration activities).
2. Wise use of natural resources (such as water-efficient garden beds, purchase of zero waste event kit, community renewable energy project).
3. Minimising environmental impacts (such as bicycle maintenance workshops, sustainable house tours, vertical/rooftop gardens).
4. Educating and engaging the community (such as promotion via workshops, newsletter, social media, posters, and media releases).
The grant is open to not-for-profit, incorporated community groups and organisations (or those auspiced by a group that is incorporated).
Frankston's Industrial Strategy
Have your say: closes 23 August
Council is preparing a new Strategy to provide guidance for the use and development of the industrial areas and precincts within the Frankston municipality.
The first stage of this project is the Frankston City Industrial Precincts – Discussion Paper that outlines a number of preliminary initiatives for how Frankston City’s industrial precincts could be planned in the future.
In particular, the Paper highlights opportunities for transforming the City’s urban landscapes, energy systems, transport systems, and systems of consumption in response to climate change and sustainability.
The Paper is available for feedback until 5pm, 23 August 2022.
The feedback received will inform the development of the draft Frankston Industrial Strategy.
Raise your voice on climate change
Have your say: closes 13 August
Council invites residents, businesses and community members to have their say on climate change action to help shape our new Climate Change Strategy.
The aim is to identify the risks, opportunities, and priorities for Frankston City to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change for the benefit of the community, environment and economy.
South Ward Cr Claire Harvey said talking to as many people as possible about climate change was a major step in taking meaningful grassroots action now and into the future. “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our world, and at a local level it’s no different,” Cr Harvey said.
Mayor Nathan Conroy said Council wants to hear from everyone, “whether you’re keen to reduce energy costs or climate-proof your business, or passionate about creating a better world – your say is important to us.”
To inform the development of the draft Strategy, Council is seeking your feedback through a survey and you can share your ideas, both big and small, in an online community forum. Visit the Engage Frankston 'Climate Smart Frankston City' page for more information.
Renewable and carbon neutral energy
Changes to electricity and gas supplies
From 1 July 2022 Council’s electricity supply contracts will be sourced from 100% renewable energy through GreenPower, and Council’s gas supply contract will be sourced from Climate Active certified carbon neutral gas.
While Council is actively investing in energy efficiency and solar power to avoid and reduce energy use, the purchase of renewable and carbon neutral energy for the Council’s remaining energy supply will further reduce the organisation’s carbon emissions.
GreenPower is a simple way for households, businesses and organisations to support renewable energy generation in Australia by investing in government-accredited renewable energy sources.
Almost all electricity retailers in Australia have a GreenPower accredited product that lets you purchase between 10 and 100% of your electricity from a renewable source.
Biodiversity Blitz 2022
Council is celebrating Biodiversity Month this September by partnering with eight of our neighbouring councils to hold the Biodiversity Blitz 2022!
Join this project at Biodiversity Blitz 2022 - Frankston City Council-iNaturalist then during the month of September head outdoors to snap your nature photos in the Frankston area and upload them to iNaturalist.
Your observations will automatically be added to this project. You'll be contributing to community science and showing the world the amazing biodiversity Frankston City has to offer, as well as learning more about your local wildlife and flora. Keep an eye on social media, and the Council's Environmental Events page to see what events are running during Biodiversity Month.
To see how many observations have been made by all nine councils, check out the project page for the Biodiversity Blitz 2022.
Energy and home comfort tips
Interactive energy advice
Understanding where your home uses energy is the first step to identifying what you can do to reduce that energy use.
The Geelong Sustainability Group as part of the Community Power Hub program has set up an informative interactive web page that can be used by anyone to improve their energy use knowledge. It has information tailored for homes and offices with easy clickable links on specific areas identifying opportunities to improve and reduce energy use.
There's lots of information on heating and cooling, windows and doors, insulation and draught proofing, appliances and lighting and much more!
Many of their DIY tips can be easily implemented and are not only applicable for home owners but for renters as well.
Visit Energy Tips to have a play and find out what you can do to increase your comfort, reduce your bills and help the climate.
Transition to an electric vehicle event
When: Saturday 22 October, 9:45am-12:30pm
Where: Peninsula Community Theatre, 91 Wilsons Road, Mornington
With the price of petrol soaring, have you considered purchasing an electric car? Come along to this free Mornington Peninsula Shire event and find out what EVs are available in Australia, how they stack up economically, how to charge an EV both at home and while travelling and much more. You’ll also have the opportunity to view a range of EVs and ask questions from EV owners and a panel of experts.
Hear from:
- Bryce Gaton - founder of EVchoice. EVchoice provides independent, up-to-date advice and support in what is now the inevitable world-wide EV Transition.
- Ross De Rango - Head of Infrastructure at the Electric Vehicle Council.
- Dan Pleiter - Acting Chief Executive Officer, South East Councils Climate Change Alliance.
Push for greater sustainability requirements for new development
Frankston City Council has joined forces with 23 other Victorian councils to introduce changes to planning requirements to elevate sustainability requirements and encourage a move towards zero carbon development.
Under the proposed changes, new developments would:
- Produce net zero carbon emissions
- Reduce household bills by making buildings more energy efficient
- Provide a healthier and more comfortable environment for building occupants
- Better manage water quality, use and collection
- Protect and enhance greening and biodiversity
- Be more resilient to changing climate impacts
We are undertaking this work as a member of the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE), supported by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).
Coastal and Marine Management Plan
Council is currently developing a Coastal and Marine Management Plan (CMMP) which will set out our vision, objectives and actions for the management of the Frankston and Seaford coastal and marine areas for the next 10 years.
The CMMP is an important tool to assist Council and the community to care for our coastal areas, strengthen resilience to climate change and manage its use now and into the future.
Over February and March, we engaged with over 200 people at the Waterfront Festival and received 145 survey responses, as well as 253 interactive map contributions through Engage Frankston. Three lucky winners also received a gift voucher to dine at one of our foreshore restaurants!
The community feedback will inform the Plan and assist with identifying key values, issues and opportunities. Council has also commenced conversations with Traditional Owners, internal Council departments, state agencies, community groups and our Foreshore Advisory Committee. Please follow the Engage Frankston project page for the latest updates on this project.
Water saving within the household survey
Have your say: closes 15 August
Master of Planning student and Frankston resident Joel Briglia, and University of Tasmania lecturer Dr Vishnu Prahalad, are undertaking a project to explore the barriers and opportunities to adopting water saving and integrated water management technologies in the two local council areas of Frankston and Casey.
The project is being undertaken with the aim of advising local councils and other relevant organisations, of actions they could take to support and increase home use of integrated water management technology and water saving behaviours.
Local residents are invited to complete an online survey (will take about 10-15 minutes) to share your experiences and needs. You must be 18 or above to complete the survey. Survey responses are anonymous.
Results from the project will be published in a Masters’ research thesis and an academic journal article. You may contact the student investigator for a copy of the thesis after completion of the project in December 2022.
State of the Environment Report
Urgent action required to turn things around
Every five years the Australian Government releases a comprehensive assessment of the State of the Environment (SOE) written by independent experts. It's when we find out how healthy, or sick, our animals, forests, rivers, oceans, climate, communities and cities really are.
This year the SOE Report was released on 19 July 2022 by the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek. The report highlights that the health of Australia’s environment is poor and has deteriorated over the past five years due to pressures of climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and mining, and it warns that the natural world holds the key to human wellbeing and survival.
The report provides for compelling reading. We encourage you to read the report, think about the findings and how you can help make a positive difference to our environment.
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Frankston City Council acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong People, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters.
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 are committed to working with our community to collectively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change.