Help us Leaf a Legacy

Do you know a big, beautiful tree that matters?

Frankston Council is updating our Significant Tree on Public Land Register (first adopted in 2012) – and we need your help.

These neighbourhood giants do so much for our community, and it's time to recognise any that may have been overlooked.

📢 Nominations are open NOW!
If you know a stand-out tree on public land – whether it's a towering gum or a shady oak – nominate it today to help protect the trees that matter most and safeguard the future of Frankston's urban forest.

📝 Prefer to submit your nomination in-person?
You can also pick up a form from your local library or community centre and submit in person at the Frankston Civic Centre (30 Davey Street, Frankston).

Community Nomination!

Hear what a community member has to say about this stunning Corymbia ficifolia (Red Flowering Gum) in Seaford:

"It is such a striking tree -- both when in riotous bloom, with its spectacular firework-red blooms or standing as a street sentinel, with its textured bark. Glorious habitat and planted when Seaford was just becoming a suburb in the late 1960s/70s. It's a long-lived and well-cared for street tree that deserves recognition, for its longevity and neighbourhood character."

Save the Date: Indigenous Nursery Open Day

Exciting news! The Frankston Indigenous Nursery is re-opening at the end of summer, and we're kicking things off with our inaugural celebration. 

📅 Saturday, 28 March 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 32R McMannis Wy, Seaford (Frankston Indigenous Nursery)

Join us to celebrate our local environment, take home practical tips for creating wildlife-friendly gardens and discover how you can make a difference.

What's On:
✅ Special Guest Speaker - Author Jaclyn Crupi will share insights from her inspiring book Planting for Native Birds, Bees and Butterflies: How to create a garden that attracts Australian wildlife
✅ Meet our passionate environmental volunteers
✅ Learn about your local Gardens for Wildlife program
✅ Take home some native plant tubestock for your garden
✅ Enjoy FREE coffee and sausage sizzle!

You don't want to miss this chance to support biodiversity and connect with your community!

Photo description (above): Frankston Council nursery man watering plant stock

School Holiday Ranger Program is Back for 2026!

Looking to add some hands-on fun these school holidays? Join us for FREE this summer at the spectacular Seaford Wetlands.

This program is perfect for curious kids who want to explore nature and learn more about our wonderful native fauna, flora, fungi and the importance of biodiversity conservation. In this guided activity, children of all ages will get the chance to become a junior ranger!

Multiple session times available:
📅 Wednesday, 21 January 2026
🕘 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (up to 7 years)
🕘 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (8-12 years)
🕘 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM (mixed age up to 18 years)
📍 Seaford Wetlands (exact location to be announced)

Spots are limited to 15 participants per session so make sure to book in advance! 

Can't make it this summer? Don't worry! We have a whole year of FREE seasonal sessions lined up:
🍂 Autumn – April 15 at George Pentland Botanic Gardens
❄️ Winter – July 1 at Frankston Foreshore
🌸 Spring – September 23 at Studio Park

Photo description (above): Junior rangers enjoying the view of local birdlife

Climate Change Strategy Progress Report 2024/25

Frankston Council has released its Climate Change Strategy Annual Progress Report for 2024/25, outlining achievements and challenges in reducing emissions and managing energy and water use.

Of the 58 actions in the Strategy, 51 (88%) have been completed or are underway. Electricity use decreased by 2% thanks to continued upgrades to street lighting, with more than 8,700 lights replaced since 2021. Gas use rose slightly (2.8%) due to increased usage at additional sites, while mains water use increased by 24% as low rainfall meant more irrigation was needed across Council reserves.

Utility costs rose by 6.9%, largely driven by higher water use and rising fossil gas prices. Despite these pressures, Council achieved a small annual reduction in emissions of six tonnes, bringing total emissions to 10,026 tCO2-e in 2024/25.

Since the 2020/21 baseline year, emissions have fallen by 25% (3,404 tonnes). This maintains the strong progress achieved last year and keeps Council on track to meet its science-based target of a 42% reduction by 2030.

The report highlights both the environmental benefits of Council’s actions and the ongoing challenges posed by climate and cost pressures.

Coastal Resilience 2100 Project Awarded Funding

Frankston Council has secured a $143,380 Commonwealth co-contribution through the Disaster Ready Fund for its Coastal Resilience 2100 project. This initiative will help our community prepare for and reduce the impacts of natural hazards and climate change.

The project will deliver a Coastal Hazard Adaptation and Resilience Plan, a landslide risk assessment, and a survey-grade drone monitoring program. Using local hazard modelling, it will define adaptation pathways and trigger-action protocols to guide future decisions. Scenario-based planning and Traditional Owner knowledge will be embedded to strengthen resilience and protect our coastline for generations to come.

To learn more about the previous stages of the Frankston City Coastal Resilience 2100 project, click the link below. This project site gets updated with new findings and information as we progress through the project.

Photo description (above): Storm tide at Kananook Creek estuary in July 2025

PROTECT OUR DUNES: Stay on designated paths

Our coastal dunes are more than just sandy hills, they’re living, breathing ecosystems that protect our coastline and provide vital habitat for native plants and animals. The vegetation that grows on these dunes stabilises the sand and helps prevent erosion caused by wind and waves.

When people or pets walk through, stand or sit on vegetated dunes, even briefly, it can crush delicate plants, loosen the sand and create pathways for erosion.

Over time, this damage can cause dunes to collapse or retreat, increasing the risk of flooding and loss of habitat for birds, reptiles, and insects.

Dunes often provide shelter for snakes and other wildlife that can be disturbed or threatened by human presence.

For your safety—and theirs—please avoid entering vegetated areas and always use designated beach access tracks. By keeping to marked paths, supervising children and dogs, and avoiding shortcuts through dune vegetation, you’re helping to protect one of our most fragile and valuable coastal environments.

Together, we can ensure our beaches remain healthy, stable, and enjoyable for everyone.

Photo description (above): Coastal dune reserve at Keast Park in Seaford

Wildlife-sensitive Christmas lighting

As the festive season approaches, many of us enjoy decorating our homes and gardens with bright, colourful lights. While these displays bring joy to our community, it’s important to remember that artificial lighting can have unintended effects on local wildlife.

Excessive or poorly placed lighting can disrupt the natural behaviours of nocturnal animals such as possums, bats, frogs, and insects. Bright or flashing lights may interfere with their feeding, nesting, and navigation patterns, while blue and white light can disorient birds and attract insects away from their natural habitats.

Here are some ways you can help protect local wildlife while still celebrating the silly season:
🎀 Use warm-coloured lights (amber, red or soft yellow) rather than bright white or blue tones.
⏳ Turn lights off after 10 pm or use timers and motion sensors to limit unnecessary illumination.
💡 Keep lights low and directed onto your property—avoid shining into trees, waterways or bushland.
⚡ Choose solar or low-intensity options to reduce both energy use and glare.

By making small adjustments, we can all enjoy festive lighting that’s both beautiful and wildlife friendly.

Thank you for helping to keep our community a safe and welcoming place for people and nature this Christmas.

✨ Give Gifts That Last 
Skip the throwaway gifts and choose something with a story—pre-loved, handmade or repaired. Council’s Roving Repairs program has shown that toys, small appliances and clothing can be revived and treasured again. 

♻️ Think before you bin! 
Before tossing something in the bin, pause and ask... Can it be reused, repaired, donated or recycled through a special collection?

Frankston’s Recycling Stations accept items like batteries, phones, X-rays, light globes and eyeglasses—materials that can’t go in kerbside bins but can be safely recycled through specialist programs. 

When items are still in good condition, donate or share them to give them a second life—keeping them in circulation and reducing waste. 

Kerbside bins are still an important part of our local recycling system—when used correctly. But the most circular choice often starts before the bin. 

Our FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bin and home composting are ideal for food scraps and garden waste, turning them into valuable natural nutrients instead of landfill waste. 

🍽️ Avoid Food Waste This Festive Season 
Plan your meals, store leftovers wisely and use up what you have before buying more. Every crumb counts!  

🌿 Turn Scraps into Soil 
Whether it's a festive feast or everyday meals, food scraps don’t belong in landfill. Use your Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bin or start home composting—made easier with the Compost Rebate Program. 

🎀 Decorate the Planet-Friendly Way 
Before buying new decorations, get creative! Repurpose ribbons, jars, fabric scraps, branches and old Christmas cards for homemade charm—with zero waste. 

Backyard Biodiversity Webinar Series 2025 - Recordings Available Now!

Missed out on our backyard biodiversity webinar series this year? Don't worry, you can still catch up online!

We had an inspiring line-up of experts:
🦋 Gio Fitzpatrick on how to create habitat in an urban environment
🌳 Dr. Greg Moore explains why it is important to preserve urban and old trees
🦎 George Para shows us how to attract and support urban skinks and lizards to your garden

👉 Want to join us live next time?
Follow Frankston City Council – Gardens for Wildlife on Eventbrite to be notified when our next wildlife webinar series launches in 2026.

Check Your Nets!

🚫 Did you know it’s ILLEGAL to use netting with a mesh size bigger than 5mm x 5mm at full stretch in Victorian households?

🐦‍⬛ Why? Because larger mesh netting is more likely to entangle, distress, and seriously injure or kill native wildlife.

👌 How can you check? Try poking your
finger through the mesh and if it can
pass through, it’s probably illegal.